Dutch cabaret and pop music have a steady tradition of artists who sing about the fringes of life. Think of Frederique Spigt, Huub van der Lubbe and Maarten van Roozendaal with their nocturnal songs full of archaic language, empty liquor bottles and full ashtrays. The Brabander Alex Roeka, who lives in Antwerp, was already tried and tested by a life as a sailor and alcoholic when he started making
… music around the age of 40. Perhaps this is how he distinguishes himself from colleagues because his tormented and lived repertoire seems credible and natural. Roeka gives the impression that he cannot do otherwise and does not have to force his jagged voice. Gentle-Vengeance appeared on the indie pop label Excelsior Recordings and was produced by house producer Frans Hagenaars. He gave the album a spiky and bare sound. This adorns Roeka's dark ballads, chansons and pop songs, which are always at the service of his melancholy-soaked lyrics about Silent Dromers In De Stad and Dansen Op De Bodem Van De Nacht. Traditionally, Ik Ben Een Renner does not lack a sad song about cycling. (MR)more
