Description
Duo album that unites Austrian composer, trombonist, and pianist Christian Muthspiel with American bassist Steve Swallow, who has recorded regularly for ECM records and Carla Bley's Watt label.
Aside from Werner Pirchner's "Himmelblau", the eleven duos which Christian Muthspiel composed especially for this CD form a cycle of duets in the mood set by the first track, "Pas de deux tranquille". Muthspiel is featured on trombone, piano, e-piano, toy piano and once even on the recorder, alongside Steve Swallow, whose distinctive sound on the bass guitar is perfectly suited for this project.
Overdubs, loops and other electronic effects were intentionally avoided in order to focus on the pure quality of the playing. The underlying principle for all of the compositions on this album was to keep it simple, both in terms of composition and sound; to seek refinement in simplicity and to follow the natural, consistent development of one small musical cell per song. The progression of keys, modes and tempos from one piece to another also played an important role.
Personnel: Christian Muthspiel (trombone, piano, electric piano, toy piano, flutes), Steve Swallow (bass guitar)
