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An international trio comprised of German vocalist Michael Schiefel, cellist Jörg Brinkmann and Hungarian cimbalom player Miklós Lukács tells the enchanting story of the funny animal, the Platypus: The Platypus cleared his voice and he said: Thank you, everyone, for coming here today. Here's what I have to say: I've got a bit of land animal in me because of my fur, and I love running across the land. But I also have got a bit of bird in me, because of my bill, and I lay eggs. And I also have got a bit of water creature in me, because my home is right next door to the water's edge, and I love swimming and exploring that underwater world. That's why I have decided not to join anyone's group whatsoever.

Track Listing

Press Quotes

Michael Schiefel delivers an organically trippy, labyrinthine soundscape with his 2014 release, Platypus Trio. The opening track, aptly named, Listen!, snags the ear early on with the cimbalom chiming on semi-tones and minor dissonance. Schiefel adds his metallic voice delicately, deliberately, seductively, as lubricant from the ear to the interstices of the brain stem, pulsing, delving, soaring smoothly, efficiently, excitingly. He achieves balance between the cascading musical composition, storytelling and improvisational singing. Complete with ear holding scats, blats and sa-doo-da-bloil-ba-da-hmmmm's, his voice weaves over and into the melodic themes held down by the cello, cimbalom and electronics. The story of the Platypus stems from an Aboriginal tale, emphasizing a message of acceptance of self and others. Our uniquenesses and similarities hold weight in the musical motifs that toggle between consonance and cacophony. With each listening I am surprised at the tug of the music on my ear. He draws attention to the story on the longest track, 'Dreamtime Platypus,' weaving together words and scat vocables. After more than six listenings, I am again drawn into the maze. I close my eyes and travel to places magical, open, cavernous, empty, like a Cirque Du Soleil planet with its funny, long, lively, colorfully strange characters. The last track, 'The Home of the Platypus,' ends energetically and abruptly. It urges the listener back to the first track with its mysteriously gentle, beautiful ping.

     —Marie Black, Cadence Magazine,January 2015

A German vocalist, who plays electronic devices. Eight original compositions (with some lyrics based on an Aboriginal tale) played with Jörg Brinckman on cello and Miklós Lukács. A new way for vocal music.

     —Claude Loxhay, jazzhalo.be