Awase [2 LP]

Nik Bärtsch's ensemble Ronin has an individualistic sound, consistent over many albums, based on minimalistic, staccato rhythmic and scalar patterns called (and numbered) Moduls, related to both modules and modes. Within each Modul there are musical modular forms that are flexible to the developing piece. For this opus, Bärtsch is at the piano, Sha blows bass clarinet and alto saxophone, Thomy Jordi plays bass, and Kaspar Rast handles the drums. Layers of melodic reed phrases, repeated piano notes and chords, ornamental drum work, and sketchy harmonious bass offerings create mystery and suggestions of ancient rituals. The music draws in the listener at psychologically deep tribal and dance-trance states. The music, while maintaining its mathematical-like structure, continually changes in dynamics of intensity, tempo, and instrumental timbre through various fingering, breath, and other techniques. Awase, the title of the album, meaning in Japanese 'coming together,' is a principle in Aikido martial art. The individual musician merges into the flow to shift its power and direction. Thus, despite their similarity, the Moduls remain interesting and mesmerizing through both subtle and distinct alterations. Ronin is a group you experience as well as hear. This album is among their best.

I'll add my two cents worth in here as well. This is really an interesting album. It has the usual great ECM sound quality and the musicianship is Excellent. This isn't your usual "Jazz" or "New Age" listening experience. I'm not sure how to categorize it except interesting and refreshing. The music is hypnotic and relaxing with a steady meter, but continues to evolve and get more interesting as time moves with each piece.This is clearly not improvised music on the fly, but carefully crafted with each module. The musicianship is spot on with great chops.I highly recommend it as I have most of his other works and he never disappoints.This music is innovative and refreshing in a world that is inundated with unsophisticated musical garbage being produced today.

This album feels less strict. It's not quite relaxed, but it gives the impression that the band's complete competency is looking to stretch out instead of tighten down. I don't mind that at all. But it's not constantly the angular, self-swallowing mandala that it's been before. The corners are smoothed off, and not just occasionally. Yea, I miss Pupato, too. But players move on. Man, Rast really dances over the ostinato in Modal 58. Bartsch still puts together a 5 star band. Get it, it's well played, and it's a new feel.

Jazz de excelente calidad minimalista. Escuchar lo repetidamente

Great album, musically and sonically. Mesmerizing music.

Another gem!

Listening to Awase for the first time I was reminded of Alice in Wonderland, specifically of the Mad Hatter’s trouble with his watch - “I told you butter wouldn’t suit the works,” even the best butter. Nik Bartsch’s work has been, at its most compelling, exactly like sitting in a Buddhist temple listening to a fine Swiss watch, and I mean that as a strong compliment. Vintage Bartsch is a room full of instruments all played as a single tuned percussion machine, at once precise and flowing. Raindrops on a slowly swirling pond. His aesthetic has softened over time, moving to a rounder (is that the right word?) sound with the fuller orchestration of Continuum, and that works. Sadly, I feel like Awase is a step in the wrong direction, feeling more like classic Bartsch performed by folks who don’t get percussion. Maybe it actually matters who plays this music - Meyer and Pupato are gears not easily replaced it seems. This is evolving into the elevator version of zen funk.The centerpiece of my disappointment is the rehash of Modul 36. The Stoa version is well, just about perfect. The Awase version has butter in the works, more Kenny G than King Crimson. It’s disappointing enough that 2 of the 6 tracks here are repeats, but if you’re going to do that I feel you at least need to make the new ones “better” somehow and that’s not what happened here in my opinion. Maybe this is a contract fulfillment album? That’s a sad thought.Anyway, taken on its own this is still a very good set, and “A” the first tune that is not a Modul does deliver in its way. Modul 58 is workmanlike and Modul 59 is not without appeal in a Steely Dan kinda way. But as a longtime follower I have to say it’s not Stoa good, or even Continuum good. And the gooey version of Modul 36 just brings that into stark relief. The reeds in particular are a drag on the machinery, reminiscent of Emmylou half a beat behind in every duet she sings, but way less charming. It fact, it’s almost like the whole ensemble is trying to follow rather than all ticking together, Swiss-style. This music has to be pushed, not pulled.All good things become something else, I suppose.

I have pretty much all of Nik Bartsch's Ronin catalog and have had the pleasure of listening to their musical ideas evolve and mature over the years. Awase reveals them to be tighter and more dynamic than ever with contrasting subtlety that is completely dazzling. This is unique music that pretty much defies description and reveals its depths with each repeated listen. Highest possible recommendation for another impeccable outing on ECM.

Awase is an enchanting album. It brings new developments in the sound of Ronin. A lot more percussive in its focus, with the band pulsating more and more as a single body. The highlight is the new 18-minute Modul 58--it makes your brain synchronise with its flow. The reworking of Modul 36 is ingenious. Kaspar Rast has developed the sound and setup of his drumset in a way that transforms the sound of the whole band.

This is incredibly well played and produced modern music. I'm not a massive jazz fan but this is fantastic.

Great stuff! For ECM fans and more.

Per chiunque apprezzi musica non convenzionale, che flirta col minimalismo e col jazz senza essere né esattamente l'uno nè l'altro, fra acustico ed elettrico, con sonorità splendide e signori strumentisti. Chapeau!

Minimal Jazz mit unfassbarem Groove!Eine der wirklich erlesenen Bands die ich kenne...

polecam

Nik Bartschの新作スタジオアルバム！前作はNik Bartsch's Mobile名義だったため、RoninとしてのオリジナルアルバムはLlyria以来８年ぶり。といっても6曲中、新作は3曲のみ。残りは既発曲のリアレンジした新録音。でも安心してください。作品としては最上級です！＃1　Modul60　前作Continuum（2016）に収録されていた曲　　Nik Bartsch's Mobile版は弦楽器が全体をリードするクラシカルな雰囲気だったが、今作ではピアノとサックスによる高い緊張感で構成されている。一聴して、「そうそうNik Bartschといえばこれだよ！」と快哉。時間も9：27だったものが5：09と短縮され、新しい序曲として生まれ変わっている。＃2 Modul58　新曲　Facebookなどでも発売前に先行曲として公開されていた一曲。18分の大曲。前半静かで中盤から一気にファンキーな盛り上がりを見せる。#3 A　サックス奏者のSHAことStefan HaslebacherのソロアルバムFeckel for Loversに収録されていた曲　オリジナルはジャズ・ロックという趣の音作りだったが、こちらはより静謐な余韻を残したジャズらしいバージョンになっている。原曲は12分だったが、こちらは8分にまとまっている。#4 Modul36　2006年作Stoaの一曲目　原曲は15分だったものが、13分に短縮されている。といってもオリジナルでは最初2分間がほぼ無音で、新録音は10秒程度の間がおかれるに留まっているという違いがある。その後の3分間ほどが新しい曲作りになっているほかはほぼ原曲通り。#5 Modul34　新曲　怪しげなメロディで始まる8：51のやや単純な構成の曲。もう一つの序曲といった風情がある。#6 Modul59　新曲　アンビエントな雰囲気のやや静かな曲。後半Modul34とのつながりを感じる音感。以上のように純粋な新曲は少なかったですが、新しいアレンジが施された曲はこれまでのアルバムを持っているファンにも楽しめる「新曲」として聞こえます（もともと変化に乏しいという利点も味方して）。音作りに関して言えば、基本的にはこれまでと同様の方向性ですが、ややドラムとベースの音量や音圧が増したように感じました。それに比して、Nik　Bartsch自身のピアノはややもすれば控え目になることもありましたが、よりバンドとして大成したことの現れにも感じられました。新曲が少ないからと言って、その勢いには微塵も衰えを感じません。今回も素晴らしい新作でした。

Nik Bärtsch entwickelt seine Module in ungeahnte Tiefen und zieht mich als Hörer mit rein in einer Intensität, die kaum zu übertreffen ist. Der Sound dieser Aufnahme ist dem Live Erlebnis in seinem Züricher Exil vergleichbar. Dank der hervorragenden ECM Aufnahme mit einer makellosen Pressung und natürlich reinem Röhren Klang. Eine grossartige Mischung von minimal Musik, asiatischen Rhythmen, Groove und modernen Jazz mit einer starken Prise östlicher Philosophie für alle Liebhaber anspruchsvoller Musik. Nur zum Hören geeignet, nicht als Hintergrund Beschallung. Gratuliere Nik. Ritual Groove Music 12, eine absolute Empfehlung

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