With versatility comes the risk of spreading oneself too thin. Musical versatility is especially nice, but it can be a burden. Especially if the musician feels the urge to actually realise all their many ideas. For then you are adding massive organisational demands to the problem of channelling a sprawling creative drive which simultaneously meanders in many different directions. Tackling and mastering this seething cluster of possibilities and tasks has become part of the everyday work of some musicians. The Brothers Markus and Micha Acher have made the best out of their abilities. They are key figures in the now internationally recognised trademark that is the „Weilheim Scene“. Every one of their projects, be it The Notwist, 13&God or Tied & Tickled Trio has grown to become a working cosmos each of its own while remaining open on all sides. Their new album comes thanks to their preference for creative collaborations as Tied & Tickled Trio have really had a thrilling artistic liaison this time.

The drummer Billy Hart is among one of the most accomplished contemporary jazz drummers in the world. Along with his recordings as band leader Hart, who celebrated his 70th birthday in 2010, can be heard drumming on more than 600 albums. Among other groups he was a long running member of the Herbie Hancock and Stan Getz bands. Hart was highly involved with the composition and arrangements on La Place Demon. The permanent members of the Tied & Tickled Trio also occupied themselves intensively with Billy Hart’s music prior to and during the composition of the album. Over the course of his discography he has covered everything from spiritual jazz to free music and electronic music. This album charts this development in broad strokes and as such is something like a biographical album.

The Tied & Tickled Trio play jazz music from an indie perspective and so are by definition not afraid of contact. Its amazing that a project which practically has a new approach for every composition can still have a unified sound. And the guys from Weilheim have an instantly recognisable sound – regardless whether their playing crazy free jazz, static drones or complex patterns. Perhaps it’s something to do with their love of wood-wind and rather melancholy harmonies, which one knows well from The Notwist.