Awase

In martial arts, awase is about merging with the energy of one’s opponent. There’s something of that in the lissome, expansive acoustic jazz-funk of pianist Nik Bärtsch’s Ronin, on record here for the first time since Live in 2012. Bärtsch’s piano is bright and percussive alongside the ghostly reeds of Sha, the tight electric bass of Thomy Jordi, and the kinetic beats of drummer Kaspar Rast. The format is “Moduls” rather than songs, some unfolding over long durations, with dark melodies and intricately patterned, almost danceable cross-rhythms.