all about melody, expression and the weight of each carefully placed note.
ECM 2844 / 781 2831
Björn Meyer (6-string electric bass)
Recorded September 2024
Jettisoning the more familiar role of the electric bass guitar, the bassist has been the anchor in Nik Bärtsch’s electric group Ronin and in the acoustic setting of the oud with Anouar Brahem, Meyer returns to ECM with his second solo album for the 6-string electric bass.
Revisiting his debut album for the label as a solo artist Provenance released in 2017 and then listening to the new recording it is remarkable how far Meyer has developed this most demanding of roles. Like many solo recordings, the bassist is aware of the limitations of his instrument in such a stark and often lonely setting and how the use of the recording studio can serve as useful tool in helping orchestrate the music. Just has importantly, Meyer is also acutely aware that the music must also work in a live setting, and the balancing act between the two disciplines is handled with great skill and sensitivity.
All the compositions have been composed by Meyer and serve not so much as showcases for virtuoso playing but bring out the lyrical side of his instrument and use of timbre and dynamics to bring out the inherent melodies within the music. The gentle ballad ‘Hiver’ is not what one expect to hear, and flashy technique is eschewed allowing the rather beautiful pieces penned by Meyer to be the focus of your attention.
The delicate melodic curve of Meyer’s writing come to the fore on the opening title track with its subtle use of an electronic backwash before the infectious groove of the piece is allowed to break through; and is again brought into sharp focus on ‘Gravity’ where compositional and improvisational content are the ultimate consideration.
It is only on ‘Rewired’ where Meyer modifies the sound of the bass using metal bars and magnets allowing the emphasis to shift to the process rather than the resulting music. Having said that, on the track that follows, ‘Magnétique’ takes the technique a step further also combining a tapping technique on the strings and one is immediately captivated by the composition so that the technical aspect of the hypnotic groove and melodic development engages the senses.
In a perfectly balanced programme, Meyer brings the album to a close with the excellent ‘Nesodden’ which like opening track is all about melody, expression and the weight of each carefully placed note.
