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Leimgruber, Demierre, Lehn: in the endless wind

By Glenn Astarita
June 25, 2024
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Leimgruber, Demierre, Lehn: in the endless wind

Per the marketing release, LDL emerged from the trio LDP, which had already made waves in the European music scene. However, the transformation did not stop there. The addition of analog synthesizer ace

Thomas Lehn

synthesizer

" data-original-title="" title="">Thomas Lehn expanded the group, resulting in the quartet LDP+L. Interestingly,

Barre Phillips

bass
b.1934

" data-original-title="" title="">Barre Phillips, who played a pivotal role in shaping LDP's style and form, does not appear on the LDL lineup.

In The Endless Wind invites listeners on an introspective journey.

Urs Leimgruber

saxophone, soprano
b.1952

" data-original-title="" title="">Urs Leimgruber's soprano saxophone weaves intricate modalities, while Jacques Demierre's piano adds uncanny layers of texture and emotion. Lehn's analog synthesizer work is nothing short of mesmerizing, creating ghostly soundscapes that ebb and flow like the wind. Each track is named after a word from the album title. Deeply immersive yet endlessly morphing and reimagining itself, the album stands as a strong example of the boundless possibilities of improvised music. LDL's alchemical translations of physical and metaphysical phenomena into sound, sculpt an enveloping experience of otherworldliness.

They open the ethereal proceedings with "In." Designed with alien soundscapes, Leimgruber's high-pitched soprano sax phrasings ride atop Demierre's swirling piano notes, while Lehn's subtle EFX generate a mysterious soundscape, countered by the pianist's resonating manipulations. Moving forward, the saxophonist explores the middle register with coarse dialogues projecting angst. "The" features Leimgruber's yearning lines atop Demierre's tumultuous voicings and Lehn's flickering analogue-synth passages sprawled across the bottom end. Moreover, the trio builds a simple theme followed by moments of stillness.

The final track, "Wind," is created with Leimgruber's creaky extended lines across a sparse sound field, putting the finishing touch on this interesting and thought-provoking album. Leimgruber's saxophone, stretching like a distant echo, blends seamlessly with Demierre's delicate piano caresses and Lehn's ambient whispers, creating a hauntingly beautiful conclusion.

In The Endless Wind is an exploration of the sonic unknown, where each note and phrase is a step into unfamiliar territory. The trio has crafted an album that may challenge and reward the listener, inviting them to get lost in the enigmatic and ever-shifting audio environment. The production is a testament to the trio's innovative spirit and ability to transform the abstract into a visceral listening experience.

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Track Listing

in; the; endless; wind.

Personnel

Urs Leimgruber

saxophone, soprano

Thomas Lehn

synthesizer

Jacques Demierre

piano

Album information

Title: in the endless wind | Year Released: 2024 | Record Label: Wide Ear Records

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