The musical friendship between Swiss saxophonist Co Streiff and American trumpeter Russ Johnson, which has developed through various musical collaborations, dates back to 2004. Their experiences—Streiff as the bandleader of various groups and through her work with pianist Irène Schweizer; Johnson, who has played with just about everyone in New York—are the best aspects of intercultural exchange. "In 2012 the quartet released its stellar debut In Circles, capturing a shared aesthetic for keyboard-less quartets stretching back to Gerry Mulligan and Chet Baker, and especially Ornette Coleman and Don Cherry. Several annual  European tours followed for several years, followed by a long hiatus. The musicians reunited in 2019, with Gerry Hemingway stepping on drums, and as heard on Oracle, recorded on different stops along the group’s 2023 tour, the rejiggered line-up had hit its stride", writes Peter Margasak in the liner notes. For such musical heights to be possible, a common ground is needed—and here, that basis has been strengthened by more than 20 years of continuous collaboration.

Cover art: Tommy Meier
Image editing: Ornella Groebli
Graphic design: Paul Bieri
Liner notes: Peter Margasak
Photo: Ornella Groebli

Recorded live on tour April 20-30, 2023, by Christian Weber. Edited by Christian Weber. Mixed by Hannes Kumke. Mastered by Michael Brändli in May 2026 at Hardstudios Winterthur, Switzerland. Produced by Christian Weber, Co Streiff and Intakt Records.

Published by Intakt Records. Intakt Records, P.O. Box, 8024 Zürich, Switzerland.