Earth Mountain

Editor's Info:
In October 2007, Austrian guitarist Wolfgang Muthspiel invited Swiss pianist Jean-Paul Brodbeck to join his band and perform a new repertoire of songs Muthspiel had written for a quartet.

After a European trio tour they recorded the new music, which will be released in April 2008 on Material Records (the label Muthspiel founded in 2000).The new recording - entitled 'Earth Mountain' - is an extension of Muthspiel's work in the trio with Austrian twin brothers Matthias and Andreas Pichler. The trio's first album, 'Bright Side', received glowing reviews around the world.

On 'Earth Mountain', Muthspiel and Brodbeck engage in a constant harmonic dialogue. The new pieces - at times leaning towards hip-hop and rock grooves - create a dense and earthy band sound, both inviting and daring. Add the fine rhythm section of the Pichler brothers on drums and bass, and compositions like 'Jackson's Pocket', 'Earth Mountain' or 'Radiohead' naturally unfold with an ecstatic energy.

Never abstract, the music has all the twists, turns and intricacies that Muthspiel's music is known for. In the context of the composed pieces, the flight of improvisation takes on a major role. With Brodbeck's subtle and inventive accompaniment, Muthspiel's free-ranging solos are carried and supported more than ever before.

This is the kind of the modern jazz music that can transcend genres.