What with its idiosyncratic music, the anarchistic humour, its intelligent arrangements and original sounds, DER ROTE BEREICH passes for one of the most exciting bands of modern German jazz. Founded in 1992 by guitarist Frank Möbus and the bass clarinetist Rudi Mahall, the band went through several metamorphoses until finally the Berlin drummer Oliver Bernd Steidle proofed to be the convincing percussionist in this trio. The press celebrated DER ROTE BEREICH as “the most important representative of German avant-garde jazz”. The “Jazzpodium” states: “In Germany you can barely find music that is comparably complex, surprisingly simple, refreshing in its self- mockery and interesting in every second.” DER ROTE BEREICH is back now, after a creative pause. This fall the band will be on tour with a new program, presenting their seventh CD release, the first on Intakt Records. Frank Möbus once said: “Music has to do with life, but life not necessarily with music”. The music of DER ROTE BEREICH is very up to date, it is full of instancy and realism. Yet they know the true promise and fun of musical seriousness that makes their music an intellectual as well as sensual jazz adventure.

Recording engineers: Jean Szymczak, Kai Mäder, Andreas Stoffels
Cover art: Sophie Keller
Graphic design: Jonas Schoder
Photos: Jean Szymczak

All Compositions by Frank Möbus (GEMA) except Rumba Total by Rudi Mahall (GEMA). Tracks 1 – 4, 6, 8 and 9 recorded Oct 2009 at P4 studios, Berlin. Tracks 5, 7 and 10 recorded Dec 2008 at FWL studios, Leipzig. All tracks mixed May 2010 at FWL studios, Berlin. Mixing engineer: Kai Mäder. Produced by Frank Möbus and Intakt Records, Patrik Landolt. Published by Intakt Records