A somnambulistic journey through moods, rhythms and energies.
Although Simon Spiess Helio Quartet have not been playing together in this constellation for very long, they feel a strong bond. This closeness gives their sound an organic wholeness that lasts and touches until the very last note.
Malcolm Braff shines on the piano with an expressive, sometimes bluesy touch and inspires with his percussive, repetitive way of caressing and breaking up the melody. Saxophonist Simon Spiess' solos shine with an unfathomable sensitivity and creative power. His embracing timbre spreads across the band's sound like the warming beams of a setting sun, and even in the higher registers his tone retains its compact and grounded quality, lending the harmonies even more depth and substance. Bänz Oester impresses with his clearly emphasized bass lines and melodic, lyrical solos, which fit perfectly into the band's sound structure and yet stand out with their uniqueness. Drummer Samuel Dühsler subtly underlays the swinging, bouncy rhythms with brushes and light pulses on the cymbals, providing the necessary structure. He creates the important balance to the melodies and harmonies and enriches them with a gentle conciseness.

Two generations come together here, enriching each other through their individual experiences and processes and creating a profound whole with their own compositions. In their sound, which is rooted in jazz, they organically and intelligently integrate other styles and influences - it is innovative, international and timeless.
The strength of this outstanding band is their rhythmic interweaving, combined with an incredible harmonic sensitivity and dense, restrained expressiveness that makes their music resonate in the soul and heart for a long time to come.

The debut album by Simon Spiess Helio Quartet, recorded by SRF, will be released by Unit Records in February.