The charismatic Saxophoneophonist and composer James Brandon Lewis is the musician of the moment in the broad field of con- temporary jazz. With Code of Being, James Brandon Lewis now presents his second album. The debut CD Molecular, which Lewis recorded with his quartet in 2020 just a few months before Lockdown, was roundly acclaimed as one of the most exciting releases in 2020 (Intakt CD 350).
Code of Being is a powerful work consisting of eight compositi- ons by James Brandon Lewis. Beautiful melodies are responsi- ble for the magic of the songs. The four exceptional musicians, each with personalities of their own, create an urgent ensemble sound, moving through a broad palette of sound-colours, rhy- thms and moods, charged with energy. With a profound sense for lyrical melodies, tonal concision and dynamics, the quartet develop a spirited interplay, reacting to the tiniest atmospheric oscillations on the sound and groove level. “This is captivating music which it is hard to resist, especially the melodies with their thematic beauty.," writes Florian Keller in the liner notes.

Cover art and graphic design: Paul Bieri, Berlin
Photo: Palma Fiacco, unerhört!-Festival Special Edition, Rote Fabrik Zürich, May 15, 2021
Liner notes: Florian Keller

All compositions by James Brandon Lewis (JamesBrandonLewismusic/ascap). Recorded on May 16 and 17, 2021, by Michael Brändli at Hardstudios Winterthur. Mixed and mastered in July 2021 by Michael Brändli at Hardstudios Winterthur, Switzerland. Produced and published by Intakt Records, Patrik Landolt, Anja Illmaier, Florian Keller.