Many important drummers are great bandleaders. With their overview and their sense of rhythm and form they show the band the way. The young Swiss drummer Clemens Kuratle has made a name for himself in jazz and pop formations as a sensitive and accomplished musician. Now he has released Lumumba with his quintet Ydivide, featuring Dee Byrne, Elliot Galvin, Christopher Guilfoyle & Lukas Traxel on Intakt Records. “International bands have existed for many years in the world of improvised music. Exciting things can happen when borders are crossed and curious individuals come together to create their own language in sound, even though they may not have the same mother tongue or cultural references. Ydivide, a fine European ensemble, is a case in point. The discipline of composition and freedom of improvisation steer the music, and the presence or rhythms that crackle with dance-like energy as well as bursts of harmonic turbulence and meditative choruses point to Kuratle‘s embrace of both ‚in‘ and ‚out‘ sounds. Most importantly, his wordless songs are saying something.” writes Kevin Le Gendre in the liner notes. He's the leader and composer of the critically acclaimed quintet Murmullo, with whom he released two albums to date . A sought after sideman, probably known best for his work with the Julie Campiche Quartet, he also joined the swiss Bitwig wizard Guy Mandon for his live set and is a key member and arranger for Moes Anthill.