Continuum Nik Bärtsch's Mobile

• 1 Modul 29_14 08:58
• 2 Modul 12 09:01
• 3 Modul 18 08:02
• 4 Modul 5 08:31
• 5 Modul 60 09:27
• 6 Modul 4 05:25
• 7 Modul 44 10:23
• 8 Modul 8_11 08:32
• Total Runtime 01:08:19

Info for Continuum

After three studio albums ? 'Stoa' (2006), 'Holon' (2008) and 'Lyria' (2010) ? plus the double-CD 'Live' (2012) with his electric band RONIN, Swiss keyboardist/composer Nik Bärtsch now presents a new recording with his original group MOBILE, available as both a single CD and a double audiophile vinyl set.

MOBILE, originally founded in 1997, is at the source of Bärtsch's ritualistic approach to music making. This approach has been formed by his work with concepts of reduction and repetition as well as his fascination with Japanese culture. Here textures from jazz, funk, new music, minimal as well as ritual and sacral music are organically interwoven in the service of an energetic group sound.

The line-up of MOBILE overlaps with the current RONIN cast but on this album the quartet are augmented on three tracks by a string quintet. 'Continuum' was recorded at Lugano's RSI studio in March 2015 and produced by Manfred Eicher.

Nik Bärtsch, piano, composer
Sha, bass clarinet, contrabass clarinet
Kaspar Rast, drums, percussion
Nicolas Stocker, drums, tuned percussion
Etienne Abelin, violin
Ola Sendecki, violin
David Schnee, viola
Solme Hong, cello
Ambrosius Huber, cello

Nik Bärtsch's MOBILE
The group MOBILE develops integral musical concepts within a ritualistic framework. The performance of the music is usually combined with a multi-medial set-up of the surrounding space.

RITUAL GROOVE MUSIC is the title of the band`s first CD and, at the same time, contains the essence of Nik Bärtsch`s musical thought. The purely acoustic music is full of surprising turns and bold combinations. The ingredients from funk, new classical music as well as elements of Japanese ritual music are combined to produce an exiting sound mixture, at times funky, at times ambient-like and relaxed and then again dramatically charged. It is a sound world of raw poetry, propelled by obsessive motion.

The compositions leave room for a variety of phrasing, which is readily exploited by the very diverse musical personalities that constitute the band. The drummer Kaspar Rast, with his powerful groove, is as much at home in jazz and funk contexts as in the studio. Alt saxophonist and bass clarinettist Sha captivates the listener through rhythmic refinement and implacable calm and has already earned a reputation as a newcomer in the New Minimal scene. Percussionist Nicolas Stocker (who replaced MOBILE-co-founder Matthias Eser in 2013) belongs to the new generation of modern musicians who naturally combine the competence for classical interpretation, improvisation and the ability to groove. Nik Bärtsch, the inspirational don of MOBILE, easily crosses the borders between all of the above codes, setting connections which in turn mutate to fuses. (Michel Mettler)

The formation MOBILE EXTENDED includes a string quintet with Etienne Abelin and Ola Sendecka (violin), David Schnee (viola), Ambrosius Huber and Solme Hong (Celli). MOBILE has collaborated with different partners and guest performers: with the architects of oos, with the german Iaido-Master Martin Krahl, with butoh dancer Imre Thormann, solo violoncello player Walter Grimmer and Xala player Ania Losinger.

Booklet for Continuum