Recorded and mixed March/Dezember 2015 at PROGR Atelier 363 Bern Switzerland, by Björn Meyer Greencube Mastering and vinyl cut February 2016, Manmade Mastering Berlin, Germany, by Mike Grinser
cover photo: Bernd Webler, layout: Jack Durieux

www.arjunamusic.com

Songs without words, suggestive and emotional
by Ulrich Steinmetzger


Transparency and connection, contemplation and departure, meditation and attack: this music fascinates from the very beginning. It has no need to boast or become talkative, but stays true to itself as it casually develops its poignant pulse and lets it grow, and grow. The web of sounds soon begins to radiate from within, it inspires images in one’s head, and invites to musing and introspection. Against the background of a wide horizon the details of their music join, develop a life of their own and lift off to collective flights of ideas. This music is an invitation to listen without prejudice, offering a way to get lost in dreams while, at the same time, remaining solidly grounded and completely awake.

There are many connections between bass clarinetist/soprano saxophonist Klaus Gesing, bassist Björn Meyer and drummer Samuel Rohrer. The experience of playing together and sharing their innovative spirit is a prerequisite for the artistic co-operation of this new trio, in which the love of adventure and improvisation takes precedence over the pre-composed. Because of this the evocative power of their interaction can generate such strength, the give and take of their musical discourse be so intimate.

In this music a unique sound structure grows from within itself, layer by layer, and involves and enchants the listener. It is broadly emotional and without mystique or pretension. How else could these delicate dialogues develop such gravitational pull and magic? Acoustic and electronic sounds, sensuous rhythms, sumptuous woodwind-songs, earthen and ethereal bass lines, grooves and vibrant atmospheres all merge with one another and graciously rise from silence to hypnotic beauty. The inner logic of the trio’s interaction is compelling for it neither strives for attention nor takes the listener unawares. It grows and spreads coherently like a natural organism.

The three of them have, each in their own right, worked with outstanding vocalists. Samuel Rohrer with Laurie Anderson and Sidsel Endresen, Klaus Gesing with Norma Winstone, Björn Meyer with Asita Hamidi – all of whom are vocalists that can evoke textures with delicate poise, avoiding trends, and express them in an entirely personal way. It also characterizes the unique quality of this trio’s instrumental music: richly coloured, highly concentrated and finely balanced, it develops a life of its own without ever imposing itself on the listener.

Selected Quotes on Amiira

„This is great.“ The Wire, June 2016

"Dans un registre très ECM (mais en plus "chaude"), le trio signe un disque riche en silences. Et qui fera même lâcher sa petite larme aux plus sensibles."

Mathieu Durand, Jazz News, France

„An album of limpid depths and complexities; a grower and a keeper. Just beautiful.“ Dalston Sound, June 2016

„A very intimate album in many ways but it is never stark or lacking pace.“ Ruben Klein, The Ear, June 2016

"Rewarding repeat listens aplenty, this is a release that melts stylistic boundaries as much as it does musical ones, with hugely satisfying results."

Mike Flynn, Jazzwise, August 2016

„Einblicke und Ausblicke in eine musikalische Gefühlswelt, im Moment entstanden, in einer Spiegelung von Vergangenheit und Zukunft.“ Jazz Podium, Deutschland 6/2016

"Mélant habilment sonorités acoustiques e électroniques, jouant avec beaucoup de séduction la carte du lyrisme, ne dissociant jamais mélodie, rythme e souci du timbre, le groupe se singularise dans le paysage jazzistique actuel riche en "power trios" de ce type."

JazzMag, France, August 2016 „La musique q´ils nous proposent est d´une grande finesse mélodique. Un voyage en doux contrastes, très poétique.“ CultureJazz France, June 2016

"They pay close attention to texture and combining their instruments’ distinctive timbres in fresh ways… An album that is both highly appealing and strongly unclassifiable."

Peter Bacon, UK, The Jazz Breakfast July 2016

„Bipolarität wird zu einem ständigen interagieren einer Kleingruppe.

Eine schöne Scheibe, die zum Nachdenken anregt und zum Wiederhören einlädt.“ Concerto, Österreich 03/2016

"Une très forte complicité des trois musiciens - un disque fascinant et envoûtant sur une musique d’une grande richesse, très intimiste et évocatrice qui incite au rêve et à l’évasion en permanence."

Florence Ducommun, CulturJazz, June 2016

Music created by Amiira (Klaus Gesing/Björn Meyer/Samuel Rohrer) except Garden Of Silence written by Asita Hamidi and On Second Thought written by Klaus Gesing

Recorded by Gérard de Haro in August 2021 at Studio La Buissonne, France
Mixed by Björn Meyer in April 2022 at Atelier363, PROGR Bern, Switzerland
Mastering and vinyl cut by Mike Grinser, Manmade Mastering Berlin, Germany

Copyright control / AKM / SUISA 

www.arjunamusic.com 

Live Review - Curious Objects CD presentation @ Paradox / Tilburg / Netherlands

Contemplation and enchantment

Amiira ft Björn Meyer, Samuel Rohrer & Klaus Gesing Friday 20 October 2023, Paradox, Tilburg, Netherlands

Six years after the release of the self-titled debut album, the album 'Curious Objects' was released in May 2023 on Arjunamusic, the independent platform for electronic and acoustic sounds. The formation Amiira consists of Klaus Gesing on bass clarinet and soprano saxophone, Björn Meyer on bass guitar and Samuel Rohrer on percussion, electronics and synths.

Independently of each other, the three musicians have an impressive musical CV. Klaus Gesing has modern ideas about jazz and improvised music. He collaborates with Norma Winstone and the world-famous Oud player Anouar Brahem. On the album 'The Astounding Eyes Of Rita' Gesing on bass clarinet is responsible for an impressively synchronous ensemble with Brahem. Björn Meyer has also made his mark with Brahem and for ten years he was part of Ronin by Nik Bärtsch. His recording 'Provenance' is of a high musical level and the first ECM release is dedicated to a solo electric bass guitar. Drummer Samuel Rohrer has collaborated with progressive minds in improvised music such as Eivind Aarset, Jan Bang, Wolfert Brederode and Trygve Seim.

Amiira prefers the overall group sound, where the musicians are equal to each other. As a trio they create a memorable, imaginative musical concept. Amiira plays contiguous, contemplative and enchanting music in both sets. There is no sign of a literal album presentation:

In Gesing’s words, live exploration is an essential part of the process. Without exception, the nuanced stretching of the tonal colours of each instrument is an important facet. Tempo, energy, melody and harmonic fusion of the instruments all shift in an even and colourful way.

However, it is the opposite of tedious. This music is above all aesthetic, subdued and expectant, and the flowing ecstatic bass guitar sounds provide excitement and a deep groove.

The way the six-string bass guitar is played is amazing. The bass tapping technique and the playing of the bass guitar in the higher registers enrich the colour and range of the instrument. This gives the music extra cachet. The subtle, electronically influenced percussive sounds, sometimes applied as brushstrokes, are of added value. Add to this the melancholy, the restrained tension, the immense range of the bass clarinet and the dreamy sounds of the soprano saxophone and all the ingredients are ready to combine composition and improvisation with an impressive narrative.

The performance is a blend of fascinating soundscapes, originating from many cultural spheres of influence, combined with hints of inventive avant-garde. The music is difficult to label, in other words: genre-less.

(©Louis Obbens on http://www.draaiomjeoren.com/ )