In 2017, Simon Berz recorded at Mariny Studios in New Orleans. Japanese trumpet master Toshinori Kondo heard the recordings and immediately began playing various trumpet tracks over the tracks. The result was spectacular – a deep musical affinity was evident.

What deeply connected Simon Berz and Toshinori Kondo was the fact that both musicians, without knowing each other, often played concerts in nature. Playing electrified trumpet or drums, or stones in the landscape, even without an audience, was a deep nature experience for both – concerts for the void, the apparent nothingness.

The decision was made to produce a joint album, and Toshinori Kondo added two trumpet tracks to the recordings in his studio in Tokyo. After a joint Japan tour in 2019, Simon Berz edited the five pieces into the album “Breath Versus Beats” in Tokyo. Both protagonists agreed that a bass line needed to be added to the production.

In 2021, Toshinori Kondo passed away unexpectedly, leaving a great emptiness. Toshinori Kondo left behind an extensive body of work and the unfinished album “Breath Versus Beats.” On the recommendation of Dan Suter from Echochamber Studio, Bill Laswell completed the production in 2022 with his bass playing and mixed the tracks. He had worked with Toshinori Kondo for decades and was the perfect last piece for “Breath Versus Beats.”

© & ℗ by Simon Berz & Everest Records, 2023