Nik Bärtsch's Ronin - Spin - 2 x Vinyl LPs

2024

SPIN is the 9th release of the working band RONIN since its foundation in 2001 and the first with the new bass player Jeremias Keller, who joined the band in 2020. The band still consists of the founding members Nik Bärtsch and drummer Kaspar Rast and reeds player Sha who is part of the group since 2004.

Since the last release AWASE (ECM 2018) the band has developed the repertoire continuously further on their weekly concerts on Monday - even during the Corona time - at the own EXIL club in Zurich, where they played in January 2024 MONTAGS concert number 1000 and where they celebrate this November 20 years of Monday concerts. The new album therefore shows not only the newest developments like Modul 63 and Modul 66 but also a combination of new and old material in Modul 70_51 (51 recorded on the ECM album “Llyría”, 2010) and the two classics Modul 14 and Modul 23 in completely new arrangements and interpretations.

SPIN shows the phase in which the band is now: looking back and forward at the same time. The RONIN rhythm culture based on pattern, cycle and groove developments and refined beats is still presented and combined with playfulness and the consciousness for freedom within the clear structures. The band members’ ear for chamber music like details, blending, ghost notes and micro phrasings refreshes the music live and on the record as always. But there is a new compact band sound, which creates subtle alignments with indie, post rock and ambient pop.

The direct groove energy in this new quartet with Jeremias Keller is obvious. Keller also recently presented rich sound variety and class on the amazing solo album "ALLOY" (RRR 2023) where he played all instruments himself and also produced the whole album, based on Modul compositions by Nik Bärtsch.

RONIN played constantly live at their club EXIL and on tours in the US, Europe and Asia, therefore this album is also nourished by the joy and energy the band developed in contact with a dedicated audience all over the world. Recorded by the band's sound engineer Lars Dölle and produced with the local community and released completely independently, the album shows the true and original RONIN spirit with the full focus on music and its community. All music is played together live in the studio based on the idea of handmade groove quality, which is the credo of the band since its foundation in 2001. There is no single release of a track of the album because SPIN emphasizes the good old idea of a full album as a dramaturgy and program, which is based on the experience of performing together over years.