SR 2 Off-Beat

SR 2 Off-Beat isn't your typical jazz radio. Sure, you'll get the standards, but this Saarland-based station has a rebellious streak. The midday slot drags a bit, too much smooth jazz for my taste. But stick around for the evening. That's when they dig into German free jazz from the 70s, like Albert Mangelsdorff's trombone workouts or Eberhard Weber's bass explorations. It's cerebral stuff. They also feature contemporary European players: Julia Hülsmann's piano, Nils Wogram's trombon. The DJs know their history and aren't afraid to play 15-minute tracks. If you want background music, go elsewh…