Erik van der Luijt's second independent release features mesmerizing songs, the press is raving again! Sjoerd van Aelst, Jazzism: 'Joyride', a surprisingly fresh pianotrio album! Joyride starts off with a tropical groove, as if Monty Alexander was looking over Erik's shoulder, nodding approvingly. The wide variety of moods and tempos suits Erik's versatility. One tends to take the quality of the songs for granted. They all seem familiar, but who was that composer again? Strikingly, this music has all been composed by Erik himself. A pleasant connection between the songs makes you want to listen to this album over and over again. This indeed is a joyride! www.jazzenzo.nl Pianist Erik van der Luijt’s band has a clear and recognisable style. Not only is Van der Luijt a gifted pianist, with Victor de Boo’s groovy and swinging percussion and Branko Teuwen’s ditto double-bass the trio shows a strong unity. This adds an air of integrity to the sophisticated compositions by Van der Luijt that reminds one of the legendary Bill Evans Trio. The compositions have a traditional character, with beautiful melodic lines and sparkling piano solos. All of Van der Luijt’s compositions echo the jazz legacy, as if the pieces were already performed forty years ago. As one critic rightly remarked ‘Van der Luijt does not need universal jazz standards; he creates them himself’. This is an obvious truth that I wholeheartedly endorse. www.jazzflits.nl Erik van der Luijt appears to have the jazz idiom in his genes, judging by his compositions on ‘Joyride’, his trio’s new album. Construction and deconstruction, structure and freedom of structure go hand in hand. The pieces are ‘standards’ in character and thereby most accessible. At the same time the relaxed performances mask a sophisticated insight into the art of composition. He has a remarkable gift for making themes sound different all the time. The pattern is intersected by hilarious motives and more or less improvised sounding melodies. With his partners Branko Teuwen on double-bass and Victor de Boo on drums, Van der Luijt has a trio capable of permanently capturing the listener’s attention. ‘Joyride’ is an asset, an album that shows how a classic piano trio celebrates the power of the imagination in a contemporary manner – with audible enjoyment. Home Entertainment Today On this album Erik displays his fabulous technique. A beautiful musical adventure...