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1.
Flutist with Hat and Shoe (Ullmann) 07:19
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2.
Enge Bewegung (Lüdemann) 06:32
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3.
F.J.D (Ullmann) 05:33
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4.
Head Quarter (Eric Schaefer) 04:13
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5.
Ankunft (Lüdemann) 03:18
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6.
Human Body Upgrade (Potratz) 04:48
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7.
Tanz der Mikroben (Lüdemann) 05:44
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8.
Zeit Lupe (Ullmann) 07:16
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about

This is the first album for the first quarter-tone-piano quartet worldwide.
it was recorded as part of the first Berlin Jazz Award given to Gebhard Ullmann in 2017.

If you are interested in ordering a physical CD please go to:
www.gebhard-ullmann.com/shop/

credits

released March 1, 2019

Gebhard Ullmann (tenor saxophone)
Hans Lüdemann (piano and virtual piano)
Oliver Potratz (double bass)
Eric Schaefer (drums)

The NYC Jazz record wrote:

Saxophonist/clarinetist Gebhard Ullmann is an explorer, willing to jump in at the deep end to see what happens. He has always been instrumentally at the top of his game with a rich tone and willingness to extend the range of his instrument(s) as much as he can. He assembles excellent groups (Basement Research, Conference Call, Clarinet Trio, Bassx3) and works in duet formats with pianist Achim Kaufmann, drummer Tyshawn Sorey, singer Almut Kuhne and others.

Which brings us to his latest release. It grew out of his trio Das Kondensat with bassist Oliver Potratz and drummer Eric Schaefer, a group that altered its texture and tonality through electronics. In the ‘90s, Ullmann heard saxophonist Joe Maneri and was fascinated by his use of microtonality. That approach began seeping its way into his playing, another tool in his instrumental arsenal. Coincidentally, an old musical cohort, pianist Hans Ludemann, had also been dealing with microtonality. Ullmann asked him to join the group he was forming to compose, explore and improvise with microtonality. Hence, mikroPULS (the capitalized portion formed from each member’s last name).

Initially, the approach can be a bit disorienting, as opener “Flutist With Hat And Shoe” demonstrates; a brooding ballad from Ullmann’s book (first recorded in 1999), everything initially sounds off-kilter, especially with its composer playing “virtual piano”, a computer-programmed keyboard tuned to quarter- tones used in conjunction with acoustic piano. But once the ears adjust, the sound becomes quite effective. The intro to Schaefer’s “Head Quarter”, with its carefully placed tones, sounds like everyone is playing in the space between the notes. But it works.

Perhaps the most arresting moment occurs on Potratz’ “Human Body Upgrade”, swirling interludes of Ullmann and Ludemann duetting over the rhythm section’s sporadic driving beat. “F.J.D.”, a wry rewriting of Eddie Harris’ “Freedom Jazz Dance”, proves that even with quarter- tones, this group can sound funky. Ullmann has put out more than his share of great albums but the more one hears mikroPULS, it sounds like one of his best.

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Gebhard Ullmann image

Gebhard Ullmann Berlin, Germany

Born on november 2, 1957 in Bad Godesberg, Germany Gebhard Ullmann has recorded more than 65 CDs as a leader or co- leader.

He received numerous awards for his work and is listed in the Downbeat Critics Poll since 2005, 2015 for the first time in three categories.

Between 2002 and 2018 seven of his CDs were listed in Downbeat Magazine among the best CDs of those years. ... more

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