A cryogenic air separation method and apparatus in which first (68) and second (64) liquid streams are produced. The first liquid stream (68) has a higher oxygen content than air and can consist of a higher pressure distillation column bottoms and the second liquid stream (64), for instance, air, has a lower oxygen content than the first liquid stream and an argon content no less than the air. The second liquid stream (64) is subcooled through indirect heat exchange (118) with the first liquid stream (138) and both of such streams are introduced into the lower pressure column (30). The second liquid stream (152) is introduced into the lower pressure column (30) above that point at which the crude liquid oxygen column bottoms or any portion thereof (140,146,148) is introduced into the lower pressure column to increase a liquid to vapor ratio below the introduction of the second liquid stream and therefore, reduce the oxygen present within the column overhead (94).