Nik Bärtsch's Ronin - Rea (2004)

Rea is an album by Swiss pianist and composer Nik Bärtsch's band Ronin recorded in Zürich in 2003 and first released on the Tonus Music label. REA marks the first appearance of deep reed minimalist Sha on moduls 26 & 27. As an interesting aside, "Modul 27," which sounds the closest to pure James Brown funk than any other track, as it is propelled by the pulsing simultaneous bass and drum, is listed as composed not by Bartsch alone. Tenor saxophonist Thomy Geiger and trumpeter Michael Glassman also appear on 27, and play horn figures that would not be out of place on a James Brown record.

"Modul 22," which is over sixteen minutes long, starts with a very clear example of Bartsch's compositional technique and resultant sound. For over three minutes, a small pulse is defined by the shaker and scraper, with some added floating sounds to keep us from drifting. When Kaspar Rast's drums and the piano enter, the differing meters and rhythms begin to interact, producing varying phase effects that can be both maddening and thrilling simultaneously. The simple beat seems to have disappeared, although, if you concentrate, it is still there.

Tracklist:

01. Modul 27 (10:05)
02. Modul 22 (16:37)
03. Modul 18 (06:45)
04. Modul 26 (18:14)
05. Modul 23 (12:31)

Musicians:
Nik Bärtsch - Electric Piano [Fender Rhodes]
Kaspar Rast - Drums
Bjorn Meyer - Bass
Andi Pupato - Percussion

Guests:
Thomy Geiger - Tenor Sax (track: 4)
Michael Gassmann - Trumpet (track: 4)
Sha - Bass Clarinet (tracks: 1, 4)