Ruud Voesten’s Ambrosia II feels like an album built with care, patience, and a lot of thought. It’s based on Dante’s Purgatorio, but you don’t need to know the poem to feel the emotion behind it. The music moves in a slow climb, almost like watching someone try to make sense of themselves step by step. It’s jazz, but it’s also something more private, like a quiet diary written through sound.
The first track, “Strand,” sets the tone with a calm pulse. Nothing feels forced. The horns drift in and out, and the drums keep everything steady, almost like walking along a beach early in the morning. “Good Things Come to Those Who …” grows slowly and feels heavier. The band lets ideas develop on their own time, and the piano seems to circle around the horns in a thoughtful way. “Icarus” brings more movement and a brighter edge. There’s a lift in the rhythm, but there’s also a hint of worry, as if the song knows how fragile ambition can be. “But What If I’m Watson?” feels playful in a subtle way, with the horns weaving around each other like they’re exchanging inside jokes. “Luchtig” gives the album a softer, airy moment, almost like a breath taken in the middle of a long day. “The Best at Marshmallow Test” tightens the energy again with sharper rhythms and solos that feel a bit restless. “Klatergoud” slows things down and lets emotion take the lead. The melodies fall into longer shapes, and the piano coloring underneath feels tender.
“Raw Beans” breaks the mood with a quick burst of energy. It’s short, lively, and feels almost like the band letting off steam. “A Lure” draws things back into a quiet pull, never rushing, just guiding. And then “Tuin” ends everything with a sense of peace. It feels grounded, almost like you’ve reached a clearing after a long climb. The whole album feels honest. You can sense the band listening to one another, giving each idea room to settle. Nothing feels polished to the point of losing its soul. Instead, it sounds like a group of people trying to understand something bigger than themselves, and letting the music do the talking. It’s a beautiful, thoughtful album that stays with you after it ends—not because it shouts, but because it speaks gently and with intention.
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