DRIFTWOOD Lukas Bitterlin is presenting the first album under his name: On "Driftwood", a clairaudient quartet makes the lyrical compositions of the Bernese drummer shine from the inside. The pieces on "Driftwood" (Unit Records), written by Bitterlin, oscillate between lyrical melodiousness and dancing lightness. The CD was already recorded three years ago at Radio Studio Zurich. It is now released on the renowned Swiss label Unit Records. The members of the band, well-known musicians of the Swiss jazz and improvised music scene, are Hans-Peter Pfammatter on piano, Christoph Grab from Zurich on saxophone, and Daniel Schläppi from Bern on double bass. The music of this quartet is characterized by a rather European sound aesthetic. The pieces comprise lyrical melodic forms, on one hand, and themes inspired by dance-like motifs, on the other hand. Thus, associations with old music and/or popular music are sometimes awakened, however without establishing specific references. Many of the pieces comprise several thematic motifs that are picked up or contrasted in the improvisations. Bitterlin plainly calls his quartet a dream cast. In particular, he points out the open mind and the high musical awareness of his fellow musicians: "Sometimes they create moods that I am not prepared to - this is extremely inspiring." The characteristic style celebrated by the four brilliant musicians on this album is strongly influenced by current developments in jazz - communicative and intense. The powerful and playful band plays with a lot of humour and dynamics but also with a high sensitivity for subtle interaction and musical microcosms. As a drummer, Bitterlin is not only interested in creating a clearly defined rhythmic framework but also in opening spaces for communication. As one of his influences, among others, he names Paul Motian, one of the great abstractors, a master of musical monochromism. Bitterlin's music uses a wider range of colours but seeks comparable intensity and clarity of expression. With "Driftwood", Bitterlin and his quartet have created a treasure that fascinates after few seconds already; the pieces develop organically and are yet full of surprise.