Robert Morgenthaler, Urs Röllin & Tanel Ruben - Alarmstufe Rot (2025)

The trio, comprised of Swiss trombonist Robert Morgenthaler and his long-time partner from Schaffhausen – their collaboration has already surpassed the 20-year mark – guitarist Urs Röllin, together with Estonian drummer Tanel Ruben, is undoubtedly one of the most enduring working bands on the Swiss jazz scene. Following "Mister Z," the three have recorded their second album, in which they roam "mind open" through nine vibrant tracks, managing to convey their sheer enjoyment directly to those listeners yearning for an alternative to playlist-dominated music consumption.

Following their debut album, "Hello Mr. Z," dedicated to Frank Zappa, the trio now presents "Alarmstufe Rot," a meticulously produced work that showcases their band's sound even more consistently. After numerous concerts both at home and abroad, their music has matured, its playfulness and intuitive interplay creating a seamless, unified whole: light-footed and audacious. While the compositions are anything but banal—featuring numerous shifts and turns that keep listeners engaged—a cohesive thread effortlessly holds them together. There are no genre boundaries, only free-flowing creativity: the essence of one musical world is juxtaposed with others. This challenges our listening habits without overwhelming them, sparking curiosity for what's to come. Their extensive musical experience lends their music a unique character, and they continually develop their distinctive band sound in the here and now.