Recorded live at various concert halls around the world between 2009-2011, Live is a thrilling 2-CD set from Nik Bartsch's Ronin that will soon be released on ECM Records. With a band that consists of Bartsch on piano, Sha on bass clarinets & alto saxophone, Bjorn Meyer on bass guitar, Kaspar Rast on drums, Andi Pupato on purcussion, and Thomy Jordi on bass (he joined the band in 2011 after the departure of Meyer, and appears on the final track in this set, which is the most recent recording) the ensemble that calls themselves Ronin do a great job of delivering exciting, groove laden jazz that is virtuosic yet highly melodic and memorable.
From the opening moments of "Modul 41_17" (recorded in Burghof back in 2010) you really get a feel for just how important the lead bass lines of Meyer were to this band. His popping, groove laden runs and muscular rhythms are all over this dramatic jazz-fusion piece, and it's a surprise really that you don't hear more jazz freaks talking about his mighty talents. At over 16-minutes long, this is a hell of an opener here and the band delivers on all fronts. Elsewhere on the first disc, you get the upbeat & quirky "Modul 35" , the moody "Modul 42", the gentle piano drenched "Modul 17", and the sprawling "Modul 22", another remarkable piece with Meyer's bass silky smooth and popping all over the place. Over on the second CD, there are four movements, most recorded in 2010, and feature a more funky jazz element. "Modul 45" is a pulsating, rhythmic monster complete with leaping bass grooves, gymnastic piano, tricky drum fills, softly fluttering reeds, and one of the most gorgeous bass solos I've heard in quite some time. In fact, Meyer sounds so much like a lead guitarist here that if you didn't know he was a bass player you'd swear it was electric guitar. "Modul 48" is a laid back jazzy affair, as is the tranquil and slow building "Modul 47", both of which see the band doing a splendid job weaving intricate melodies and grooves, and the final number "Modul 55" features the revamped line-up with Jordi on bass, recorded in July of 2011. There's less of an emphasis on the bass here, allowing for Sha to take more of a lead role with some beautiful sax & clarinet alongside Bartsch's haunting melodies.
The fact that ECM consistently releases such stunning live albums like this one is a testament to the excellent roster of artists that they have and how the live concert scene truly is a vehicle for them. If you haven't yet discovered Nik Bartsch's Ronin, this is as good a place to start as any.
Track Listing
CD 1
- Modul 41_17 (Lörrach)
- Modul 35 (Leipzig)
- Modul 42 (Wien)
- Modul 17 (Tokyo)
- Modul 22 (Amsterdam)
CD 2
- Modul 45 (Mannheim)
- Modul 48 (Gateshead)
- Modul 47 (Mannheim)
- Modul 55 (Salzau)
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