Max Lässer


Main image

Swiss guitarist, born September 27,1950 in Zürich. A professional musician since 1972, his early years were devoted to folk music, and as his music started to evolve he spent many happy and successful years working with Toni Vescoli.
In the mid-eighties, Lässer was part of Andreas Vollenweider & Friends, with whom he toured Europe and America, playing some 80 gigs.
Following this he went on to play as a jobbing guitarist for the likes of Vollenweider and Stephan Eicher, and as a producer for Jellyfish Kiss and Les Reines Prochaines.
Lässer's highly individual and quite unmistakable sound was fully realised with 4 of his albums by 'Max Lässer's Ark'.

Earthwalk, his 1987 album, made its way to the top of the American jazz charts, but it is only recently that Lässer realised how well known this music was and still is in the townships of South Africa.
The album was originally planned as a solo project, but then Max got a shot of Afro-rhythm while recording on Robert Trunz's invitation in Johannesburg with local musicians from the M.E.L.T. 2000 family.
He followed the album and its rhythm by touring Switzerland with such artists as Pops Mohamed, Busi Mhlongo, members of Amampondo including Lungwisa Plaatjies, Dizu Plaatjies, Mzwandile Qotoyi and Simpiwe Matole, all of whom appear on the album, Between, along with the likes of Jessica Lauren, Sipho Gumede and Mabi Thobejane.
Max's continuing love affair with South African music and people has culminated in further collaborations with South African guitarist Madala Kunene and Lungiswa on the unique album Madamax compared by many journalists with Ali Faka Toure's work with Ry Cooder...
The collaboration came about when Max was in South Africa and MELT founder Robert Trunz got the two master guitarists together in Downtown Studios in Johannesburg.
The second album of the two accomplished guitarist, Bafo, released in September 2005 was joined by Madala's long time friend and bass player Sibusiso Bernard Mndaweni.
Max and Madala are unique guitarist, both have their own style and yet when playing together the result is something else, something primordial and confrontational.
The two artists complement each other in an extraordinary way, and this album can only be described as an organic unity of the best of two cultures.
Robert Trunz has described the collaboration as an epiphany a profound connection between Europe and Africa.

ALBUMS


Thomas Rabenschlag & Max Lässer
Arr Ju Launsam Tuneit?
2014, CD, Album, Dig, Mokshamusic
Bernd Bechtloff, Andreas Vollenweider, Hubert Von Goisern, Walter Keiser, Max Lässer
Buchinnen
2011, CD, DVD, ,
Impressionist
Max Lässer & Markus Flückiger
Überland Duo+
2007, CD, Album, Phonag Records,
Linard Bardill, Mich Gerber, Max Lässer
Labyrinth
2003
Max Lässer
Überland
2001, CD, Phonag,
Madala Kunene & Max Lässer
Madamax
1998
Max Lässer
Between
1997
Max Lässer, Büne Huber, No Nations
Nightride Home
1996, CD, Single, Impact Music (2)
Max Lässer
Alte Schweizer Tänze
1989, CD, Album, Gold Records
Max Lässer
Alte Schweizer Tänze Aus Dem Emmental, Entlebuch Und Toggenburg
1982, LP, Album, Gold Records
Max Lässer
New Swiss Talents
1980, LP, Album, SBC Swiss Broadcasting Corporation
Cornelia Curschellas, Urs Böschenstein, Max Lässer
Chöpf Und Schwänz
1979, LP, Gold Records, Gold Records
Max Lässer
Alte Engadiner- Und Appenzeller Tänze
1978, LP, Album, Gold Records
Max Lässer
Songs
1976, LP, Image
Simon Libsig, Max Lässer, Daniel Hildebrand
Trostmaterial
CD, Not On Label, ,
Poetry
Max Lässer Und Das Überlandorchester*
1:1
2014, CD, Album, Landjägermusig
Walter Lietha
Anthologie V, Lieder 1996 - 2012
2012, CD, Album, Narrenschiff
Walter Lietha
Anthologie IV, Lieder 1984 - 1995
2012, CD, Comp, Narrenschiff
Max Lässer & Das Ueberlandorchester*
Iigschneit
2011, CD, Landjägermusig,
Max Lässer & Das Überlandorchester*
Überländler
2008, CD, Album + DVD, Landjägermusig, Phonag Records
Juan Carlos Zeta
Para Tí
2004, CD, Album, Not On Label
Thomas Rabenschlag Vertont Singt Spielt Robert Gernhardt
Alles Wird Anders
2002, CD, Album, RecRec Medien AG
Christoph Stiefel & Fabio Freire
Limmazonas
2000, CD, Album, Make Up Your World
Various
Ascension
1999, CD, Comp, Earthtone Records
Various
The Story Of African Music
1998, CD, Comp, Hangar 21 (2)
Les Reines Prochaines
Le Coeur En Beurre (Doublegras)
1995, CD, Album, RecRec Music, ,
Art Rock/Chanson/Avantgarde
Les Reines Prochaines
Dumme Siech
1994, CD, Single, RecRec Music, ,
Art Rock/Chanson/Avantgarde
The Jellyfish Kiss
Miss Edna
1994, CD, Single, RecRec Music, ,
Chanson
The Jellyfish Kiss
Cold Rain
1994, CD, Single, RecRec Music, ,
Chanson
Two Tunes
Dublin
1994, CD, Maxi, Epic, Epic, Epic, ,
Soft Rock/Pop Rock
Two Tunes
Verses Of Life
1993, CD, Maxi, Epic, Epic, Epic
Two Tunes
Verses Of Life
1993, CD, Album, Epic, Epic, Epic, ,
Soft Rock/Pop Rock
The Jellyfish Kiss
Luna Hotel
1993, ,
Contemporary Jazz
Max Lässer's Ark
A Different Kind Of Blue
1992
The Jellyfish Kiss
Sounds Session 5
1990, LP, Sounds!
The Jellyfish Kiss
Meana Me
1990, 7", Phonag Records, ,
Acoustic/Indie Rock
Max Lässer's Ark
Timejump
1990, CD, ,
New Age/Fusion
Max Lässer's Ark
Earthwalk
1987, CD, ,
Fusion
Max Lässer's Ark
Into The Rainbow
1985, Vinyl, ,
Fusion
Lietha-Lässer Band
Obacht!
1983, LP, Album, Meteor
Walter Lietha
Drum Sing I Grad Drum
1981, LP, Album, Meteor
Werner Widmer
Zit Zum Go
1978, LP, Album, Zytglogge
Back To Earth
Secret Spaces
1998, CD, Album, Thasproduction, ,
Ambient
Hand In Hand
Hand In Hand
1981
Bode Band
Unter Der Brugg
1978, LP, Album, Eugster CH-Record
Hand In Hand
Hand In Hand
7", Not On Label (Hand In Hand Self-released)

APPEARANCES +


Max Lässer*
In Concert
2004, DVD-V, PAL, Phonag Records,
Bruno Spoerri
Musiques Légères (1976-1982)
2023, LP, Album, Ltd, 180, We Release Jazz, ,
Jazz-Funk
Irmin Schmidt
Electro Violet
2015, Box, Comp, Ltd + CD, Album, RE, RM + CD, Album, RE, Spoon Records
Hendrix Ackle
Logbook
2014, CD, Album, Ten Thousand Thundering Typhoons Recordings
Hubert von Goisern
Steilklänge
2014, CD, Comp, Capriola
Irmin Schmidt
Villa Wunderbar / A Selection
2013, 2x CD, ,
Ambient/Avantgarde/Dark Ambient/Drum n Bass/Experimental/Jazz-Rock/Krautrock/Modern Classical/Soundtrack
Hubert von Goisern
Trad
2012, CD, Album, RE + CD, Album, RE + CD, Album, RE + DV, Capriola, Capriola, Capriola, Capriola, Capriola, Capriola
Soul Department
Stripped
2012, CD, Album, Mondstein Records
Pee Wirz
Oh, Traveller
2011, CD, Album, Gadget Records
Bernd Bauer
Since I Moved Away
2010, CD, Album, Not On Label
Rivenbell
Landmark
2010, CD, Album, Brambus Records
Various
MusikSzeneBaden Präsentiert Die Lokalhelden 2009
2009, 2xCD, Smplr, Mondstein-Records, ,
Alternative Rock/Afrobeat/Soul/Funk
Various
Alpentöne - Ein Querschnitt Durch Das Festival '09
2009, CD, Comp, Musiques Suisses,
Back To Earth
Sensual Mind
2008, CD, Album, Thasproduction
Madala Kunene
African Classics - King Of The Zulu Guitar
2008, CD, Comp, Sheer Sound
Hujässler
Mälchfett
2007, CD, Hujgroup
Walter Lietha
Anthologie, Lieder 1981 - 1983
2006, CD, Comp, Narrenschiff
Andreas Vollenweider
The Storyteller
2006
Andreas Vollenweider Featuring Carly Simon
Midnight Clear
2006
Back To Earth
Kairos (The Spirit Of Time)
2005, CD, Album, Thasproduction
Niki Reiser
Die Weisse Massai - Original Soundtrack
2005, CD, Album, EMI
Max Lässer's Madamax
Bafo
2005, CD, Album, Phonag Records,
Walter Lietha
Anthologie, Lieder 1978 - 1980
2005, CD, Comp, Narrenschiff
Andreas Vollenweider
Magic Harp
2005, CD, DVD, ,
New Age
Various
Ohre Würm 4
2003, CD, Tudor,
Back To Earth
Mystic Ways
2002, CD, Thasproduction, Thasproduction, ,
Ambient
Subzonic
Stereo
2002, CD, Album, Copy Prot., Epic, Epic
Gotthard
One Life One Soul - Best Of Ballads
2002, ,
Soft Rock/Pop Rock
Stephan Eicher
Hotel*s
2001
Andreas Vollenweider
The Essential
2000, 2x CD, ,
Modern Classical/Ambient
Corin Curschellas
Goodbye Gary Cooper
1999, CD, Album, Make Up, ,
Alternative Rock/Acoustic/Smooth Jazz/Avantgarde/Indie Rock
Luke Gasser
Schtäischlag
1999, CD, Album, Phonag Records
Hardy Hepp & Vogelwartechor
Wo Bisch Du Wo/Um Jede Vogel Bini Froh
1999, CD, Single, Hand In Hand Records (3),
Andreas Vollenweider
Cosmopoly
1999
Hendrix / Cousins
For Right Now
1999, CD,
Various
Ohre Würm 3 (14 Neue Kinderlieder Von Schweizer Bands)
1998, CD, Album, Tudor,
Back To Earth
VP Bank Collection
1998, CD, Comp, Not On Label
Irmin Schmidt
Impossible Holidays + Musk At Dusk
1998, CD, ,
Avantgarde
Gotthard
Open
1998, CD Slipcase, ,
Hard Rock
Hepp•Ch•Ohr*
Nur Jetz Kei Angscht Haa
1997, CD, Album, Hand In Hand Records (3), Hand In Hand Records (3)
Skeleton
Maskanda
1997, CD, ,
African/Experimental/Electroacoustic
Corin Curschellas
Valdun Voices Of Rumantsch
1997
Hank Shizzoe
Walk
1996, CD, Album, Dig, Crosscut Records
Stephan Eicher
(1000 Vies)
1996, CD, ,
Chanson
Corin Curschellas
Rḁppa Nomada
1995, CD, Album, Musikszene Schweiz,
Die Regierung
Zämme
1995, CD, Album, Hear We Go,
Various
Ohre Würm (14 Neue Kinderlieder Von Schweizer Bands)
1995, CD Digipak,
Back To Earth
Rivers Of Life
1995
Various
1993 EBU International Contemporary Folk Music Festival Lugano
1994, 2xCD, Comp, Promo, Transcription, Swiss Radio International,
Various
Porta La Tatta, Ina Compilaziun Da Musica Da Rock Rumantscha
1994, CD, Comp, Battaporta,
Irmin Schmidt
Anthology - Soundtracks 1978-1993
1994, 3x CD, ,
Soundtrack/Experimental/Modern Classical/Krautrock
Blues Maks
Stories
1993, CD, Album, Zytglogge
Jonas C. Häfeli
Picture Suite
1993, CD, Not On Label
Andreas Vollenweider
Eolian Minstrel
1993
Corin Curschellas
Music Loves Me
1992, CD, Album, Musikszene Schweiz,
Stephan Eicher
Pas D'Ami (Comme Toi)
1992, CD, ,
Chanson
Jonas C. Häfeli
The Flute
1991, CD, Album, Selected Sound, ,
New Age/Contemporary
Andreas Vollenweider
Book Of Roses (Sixteen Episodes / Four Chapters)
1991, Vinyl, ,
Acoustic/Modern Classical/Ambient
Stephan Eicher
Engelberg
1991, CD, ,
Chanson
Hebeisen*
Hebeisen
1990, CD, MundArt
Various
Sona Gaia: Collection One
1990, CD, ,
Folk Rock/Latin/Easy Listening/Fusion/Ambient/Acid Jazz/Downtempo
Andreas Vollenweider
The Trilogy
1990
Werner Widmer
Max
1990, CD,
Andreas Vollenweider
Dancing With The Lion
1989
Werner Widmer
Ehrewort
1989
Various
Winds Of Change
1987
Irmin Schmidt
Musk At Dusk
1987, Vinyl, ,
Prog Rock/Ambient/Avantgarde
Andreas Vollenweider
Down To The Moon
1986, CD, ,
Modern Classical/Folk
Jonas C. Haefeli*
Mann Ohne Gedächtnis
1984, 7", Not On Label
Trio Zwiderwurz Mit Gogo Fisler
Mer Schlänglet Sich So Dure
1984, 7", Gold Records
Irmin Schmidt
Rote Erde - Originalmusik Zur Fernsehserie
1983, LP, Album, TELDEC, TELDEC, TELDEC, ,
Soundtrack/Art Rock
Hans Gmür Und Charles Lewinsky
Plausch In Züri
1983, LP, Gold Records, Gold Records,
Motz-Art Ensemble
Unerhört
1982, LP, Album, Fata Morgana Records, Fata Morgana Records
Renato Anselmi
Know What I Mean?
1981, LP, Album, Polydor, ,
Jazz-Funk/Fusion
Hardy Hepp
Mensch Meier / Robot Man Plus...
1981, 7", Single, Telefunken
Walter Lietha
Liebi Schwizer Guat Nacht
1980, LP, Album, CH-Record, CH-Record
Skibbereen
Get Up And Dance!
1980, LP, Album, Gold Records, Gold Records, Gold Records
Various
M-Früeligslieder
1980, 7", Voxpop
Various
Wachtmeister Rösli
1980, LP, Album, Polydor, ,
Comedy/Music Hall
Michel Villa
"Müsig Fär Jungi Und Alti" Üs Dem "Gipfelstudio Matterhorn"
1980, LP, Meteor
Zürcher Sängerknaben
Is Mueter's Stübeli...
1980, LP, Gold Records, Gold Records
Irmin Schmidt
Filmmusik
1980
Schwe
Thoughts
1979, LP, Gold Records, Gold Records,
Elisabeth Schnell, Various
Musik Zum Kafichränzli 1. Folge
1979, LP, Comp, Gold Records
Werner Widmer
Ehrewort
1979, Vinyl,
Andreas Vollenweider
Eine Art Suite In XIII Teilen
1979
Martin Hauzenberger
Liebeslied A D'Migros
1978, 7", Voxpop
Hans Peter Treichler
Vom Fuchs & Vom Adler
1978, LP, Gold Records
Tumasch Rauch
Alte Engadiner Tänze – "Sots Vegls Engiadinaisa"
1977, LP, Comp, Activ Cultura
Walter Lietha, Im Bode Band*
Delphin / Polka Rosina
1977, 7", Single, Eugster CH-Record
Walter Lietha
Dia Fahrenda
1977,
Skibbereen
Skibbereen
1976
Various
Folk
1975, LP, Comp, CBS Special Products
Urs Boeschenstein
Z'Schtubete Ga
1975, LP, CBS
Toni Vescoli
Guete Morge
1975, Vinyl, ,
Country/Folk
Toni Vescoli
Lueg Für Dich
1974
Beny Rehmann
Sunrise (Zauber Der Trompete)
Cass, Activ Special, ,
Easy Listening
Peter Brandenberger
My Last Shirt = Mii Letscht Hämp
CD, HOE,
Kathryn Gurewitsch
Now & Then...
CD, Not On Label
FuW-Crew
Radioshow
CD, Not On Label
Various
Die Grössten Schweizer Hits - Winterzeit & Weihnachtszeit
2009, 2xCD, Comp, Universal Music, ,
Holiday
Dodo Hug
Raritäten
2006, CD, Comp, Not On Label
Various
Melt - Essential Jazz
2004, CD, Comp, M.E.L.T. 2000, ,
Tribal/Downtempo
Various
Elements For Easy Living / The Earth-Collection
2004, CD, Comp, Warner Music Austria, Warner Strategic Marketing International
Various
Trance Planet Volume Six
2002,
Various
Global Vibes South Africa
2000,
Various
Song Of Life
1999, 2xCD, Comp, Jazz FM Records, ,
African
Various
M.E.L.T. 2000 Volume 1
1997, CD, Comp, B&W Music, ,
Fusion/Afrobeat/Latin Jazz
Various
Fin De Siècle - Nantes 97
1997, CD, Comp, M.E.L.T. 2000, ,
African
Various
African Jazz Grooves Vol 1
1997, CD, Album, MD Meltdown
Various
10 Jahre Oltner Cabaret-Tage – Jubiläums-Doppel-CD
1997, 2xCD, Comp, Not On Label, ,
Comedy
Various
Listen Carefully... ...B+W Music & Ankh Sounds For 1997
1996, CD, Comp, Promo, Smplr, Μηνιαία Δισκογραφία, ,
African/Contemporary Jazz
Various
Die 16 Schönsten Dialekt-Tierlieder
1984, Cass, Comp, Gold Records
Various
Denk Mit Spar Mit!
1979
Various
Music From All Over Europe Vol.1
CD, Comp, Car, Phoenix (29)
Various
Romantic Collection CD2. MP3
2000, CD-ROM, Comp, Unofficial, MP3, Навигатор, ,
Pop Rock/Ballad/Synth-pop/Soft Rock/Downtempo/Disco/Dance-pop/Soul/Rhythm & Blues/Schlager/Chanson/Europop/Hard Rock/New Age
Various
New Age
2000, CD, Comp, Unofficial, Umbrella Records (3)
Irmin Schmidt
Musk At Dusk
1999, CD, ,
Avantgarde
Various
New Age Planet The Best Of New Age Music
1998, CD, Comp, Unofficial, Nord Group, ,
Trance/Dub/Drum n Bass/Ambient/Fusion/New Age/Downtempo/Tribal/Folk/Folk Rock/Modern Classical/Deep House/Roots Reggae/Contemporary Jazz/Ethno-pop/Smooth Jazz/Soundtrack/Latin Jazz/Acoustic
Andreas Vollenweider
Eine Art Suite In XIII Teilen
1998
Andreas Vollenweider
Eolian Minstrel
1993
Andreas Vollenweider
Dancing With The Lion
1989, Cassette, ,
Folk Rock/Modern Classical/Ambient
Irmin Schmidt
Impossible Holidays + Musk At Dusk
,
Avantgarde
Andreas Vollenweider
Book Of Roses (Sixteen Episodes / Four Chapters)
CD, ,
Acoustic/Modern Classical/Ambient