Label: Intakt Records

Personnel - Dee Byrne: alto saxophone; Elliot Galvin: piano, electronics; Chris Guilfoyle: guitar; Lukas Traxel: bass; Clemens Kuratle; drums, electronics.

In his new album, The Default, Swiss drummer and composer Clemens Kuratle delves into themes of racial and gender bias and the privileges of modern Western society. Recording with his ensemble Ydivide for the second time, this follow-up to their acclaimed debut, Lumumba (Intakt, 2022), brims with dynamic four-way conversations, balancing big ideas and alluring sounds. His collaborators - English saxophonist Dee Byrne, Irish guitarist Chris Guilfoyle, Swiss bassist Lukas Traxel, and English pianist and electronic musician Elliot Galvin - bring depth and texture to create vibrant modern mosaics.

The title track, “The Default”, exudes a relaxed, dreamy vibe, marked by its mellifluous flow. Solos from Byrne and Guilfoyle stir emotions, with the guitarist skillfully catching the tail of the saxophonist’s statement and developing it with purpose and clarity. “Hamster’s Wheel” is a uniquely beautiful piece initiated by an expressive, delineative bass figure that becomes a wellspring of inspiration. The quintet’s interplay includes powerful unisons and counterpoints before transitioning to a meditative repose.

“Deine Warme” builds intensity from a tranquil start. It doesn’t really expand harmonically, but serves as a showcase for Byrne's warm, burnished saxophone tone. Meanwhile, “For E.S.” evokes the Americana influences of the Chicago-based rock band Wilco, crafting an empathetic sax-driven theme imbued with affection and connection.

“Highway” is a splendorous groovy act enhanced by sparse yet enveloping piano chords that add colorful nuance to the tight rhythmic interplay of Traxel’s bass and Kuratle's galloping drums. Rhythmic shifts keep the listeners engaged, while Guilfoyle’s inventive guitar solo dazzles with intricate ostinatos, compelling twists, and an elastic mix of inside/outside moves. The album concludes with “Roy Wood Jr.”, a feel-good piece in 7/4 that pays homage to the American stand-up comedian, featuring a fine saxophone riff, gently percussive gestures, resonant bass underpinning, ambient guitar textures, and a thoughtful piano discourse.

Kuratle leads Ydivide through an ever-shifting sonic landscape, defined by its compelling melodies, richly layered textures, and striking contrasts.