Mick Goodrick/Dave Leibman/Woflgang Muthspiel: In the Same Breath

Breathe in, breathe out, breathe out. When Liebs’ sweetly purling soprano saxophone infiltrates the Mick ‘n Wolfie guitar duo, what seemed a perfectly natural process suddenly becomes an out-of-body experience. Goodrick and Muthspiel have honed a mesmerizing mutual plectral hypnosis that levitates and transmigrates with each tune, whirling round and round the globe. They began it in small rooms like Ryle’s Upstairs in Somerville, MA, and have taken it at least halfway ’round the Northern Hemisphere, as this album was recorded in Germany. When they invite in a third electronically adventuresome master instrumentalist, worlds collide and subside, pulses escalate.

As saxophonist/teacher/writer Dave Liebman explains, concisely, with creative syntax: “The soprano immersed within the strings; the single line within the polyphony; the similar range of color for all three; the intensity and diversity of the rhythm-quite a large universe!” The three ply smooth and near waters (M. Davis’ “Nardis”) as well as those stormy and distant (“The Crusher”), two gorgeous waltzes (by Muthspiel and Kurt Weill). They sing in clear, brave voices in many tongues… Oh, let’s let Liebs tell it: “The trio’s range of expression moves from “Liebeslied” (swirling and harmonic) to “The Crusher” (textural) to “Mothers and Daughters” (polytonal) to the classic “Nardis” (swinging) to “Hope” (lyrical) to “Ad Liebitum” (rhythmical). This is one of the most pleasant and listenable recordings that I have ever been part of.” – Fred Bouchard