Urs Leimgruber: AIR Vol. 2

Released a year after the four-disc album AIR Vol. 1 (Creative Works Records, 2023) comes the three-disc AIR Vol. 2, which has a similar layout to the earlier release. Each disc of the four-disc album featured Swiss saxophonist Urs Leimgruber in a duo with a different player: American drummer Gerry Hemingway, Swiss pianist Hans Peter Pfammatter, Swiss amplified spinet player Jacques Demierre, German synthesiser player Thomas Lehn. Each disc of the three-disc follow-up does the same: French double bassist Joëlle Léandre, German clavinet player Magda Mayas, Swiss vocalist and singing saw player Dorothea Schurch. Whether intentionally or not, on AIR Vol. 1 each of the four musicians who played with Leimgruber was male, whereas on AIR Vol. 2 all three are female. The two albums have similar spartan artwork and track titles, which seem intended to make them regarded as parts of an (ongoing?) project.

AIR Vol. 1 was recorded live at The Space, in Lucerne, in 2022-3, and AIR Vol. 2 was also recorded live at that venue, in February, March and June 2023. Each disc features Leimgruber in a duo with one other player, even though all three could comfortably have fitted onto two discs; the seven tracks on the Léandre disc run for 43:35, the six Mayas tracks for 49:42 and the five Schürch tracks for 36:37, a total of 2 hours and 9 minutes. The intention is clear—to showcase one duo per disc rather than mixing them up together.

To the credit of all concerned, each of the three duos is an amalgam of equals rather than being Leimgruber plus an accompanist. So, instead of accompanying on bass, Léandre improvises as energetically and inventively as the saxophonist, perfectly complementing his playing throughout and taking centre stage as often as he does. In similar vein, Mayas—playing the electric clavinet rather than piano—is the equal of Leimgruber throughout their disc together, leading or soloing as often as he does, so that they sound like a well-established duo. Completing the album in fine style, Schürch's combination of voice and bowed singing saw is dramatically theatrical, particularly when she is joined by Leimgruber in a similar fashion. Throughout its duration, this album grabs one's attention and is entertaining from start to finish. Roll on Vol. 3, please.