For his sixth solo album, German trombonist Conrad Bauer is not alone. That's because he has mastered the use of electronic loops, which he uses as "scaffolding for improvisation", as the liner notes tells us and our ears amply attest. And the structures that emerge are beautiful edifices of sound.

A long-time free jazz stalwart in his native country and on world stages, Bauer has a vocabulary that includes circular breathing and multi-phonics in addition to a rich, resonant tone and fertile compositional ideas. These are here in full display, right from the opener, "Aus Der Tiefe," which features a kind of indian-raga-like split tone that has a meditative effect. Thanks to the electronic loops this is supported by a trombone choir of Bauer's own making. So while this is solo improvisation, it builds on layers of ideas, such as angular ostinatos, as in "Das Fest", or glowing long tones, as in "Traurige Stimme." Recurring throughout the disc are motifs reminiscent of European village band music of the kind that finds its way into some of the classical music of Beethoven and Hayden, but here still redolent with the earthiness of its origins. These are juxtaposed with some funky bass lines with startling results, as Bauer overlays some inspired extemporaneous variations.

Although free jazz, as Bauer admits in the liner notes, often has its predicable routines just like in any music, a listener will here find refreshing, unexpected sonic textures. The "Gelbe Klang" or "golden sound" of this seasoned improviser is surprisingly varied with the aforementioned layers of trombone lines (with vocals thrown in, in a couple of cuts) and with refreshing, restful playing throughout. Even when the music gets intense there is a playful and peaceful feeling that will satisfy the listener with a sound that only the trombone can deliver.