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.

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
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