**** Mick Goodrick/Dave Liebman/Wolfgang Muthspiel

IN THE SAME BREATH

(CMP)

When Dave Liebman's sweetly purling soprano saxophone infiltrates the Muthspiel/Goodrick guitar duo, what seemed a perfectly natural process suddenly becomes an out-of-body experience. Goodrick and Muthspiel have honed a mesmerizing mutual plectral hypnosis that levitates and transmigrates with each tune. The guitarists began working together in intimate spots like Ryles and they have taken their act at least as far as Germany, where this album was recorded. When they invite in a third electronically adventuresome master instrumentalist, worlds collide and subside, pulses escalate. The three ply waters smooth and near (Miles Davis's "Nardis") as well as those stormy and distant ("The Crusher"). They play gorgeous waltzes by Muthspiel and Kurt Weill. In short, they sing in clear, brave voices, and in many tongues.

-- Fred Bouchard

(Goodrick, Liebman, and Muthspiel play Johnny D's on November 13.)