Reception

The Allmusic review by Thom Jurek states "The most beautiful thing about Holon is how "live" it all feels. You can see in the mind's eye and fully hear this music in a setting where an audience is urging the band on, not just listening, but moving. How much better does it get than that? The more things stay the same in Ronin, the more they change".^[2]

As opined by "Global Rhythm" magazine's podcast producer/host and contributing writer: "Two years of touring in support of the critically acclaimed ECM debut 'Stoa' have made keyboardist and composer Nik Bärtsch’s incomparable group Ronin even tighter, which is all the more notable considering the quintet’s already near-telepathic interplay. On this outing, the quintet hones many of its compelling 'Zen Funk'characteristics to create a diverse landscape of musical moods. With complex interlocking motifs that evolve like shifting terrain, 'Holon' is ripe with robust drum grooves fueled by articulate bass playing; along with a wealth of percussive textures that contrast or complement the sonic moment; and animated woodwinds that weave tightly into, or cavort above, the rhythm section’s dervish-like forays. Leading this musical biosystem is Bärtsch, who sometimes employs Rubik’s Cube-like patterns on the piano, or coaxes ethereal sounds from its inner strings. He’ll often paint a pulsating backdrop, allowing his mates to add to the rhythmic jigsaw puzzle and proving — if proof was ever needed — that Ronin remains remarkable."^[3]

Track listing

1. "Modul 42" - 6:29
2. "Modul 41_17" - 14:51
3. "Modul 39_8" - 7:49
4. "Modul 46" - 7:16
5. "Modul 45" - 9:41
6. "Modul 44" - 9:23

Personnel

• Nik Bärtsch — piano, electric piano
• Sha - alto saxophone, bass clarinet, contrabass clarinet
• Björn Meyer — 6-string bass
• Kasper Rast - drums
• Andi Pupato — percussion

References