* Eagerly-anticipated second ECM album from Swiss pianist-composer Nik Bärtsch and his committed young `Zen-funk' or `ritual groove" band Ronin, whose label debut Stoa received rave reviews all around the world. * Bärtsch's Ronin is recognized as one of the most exciting discoveries of recent years. * Holon follows up directions set in motion by Stoa and takes them further, thanks both to the band's growing confidence and also to ECM's glowing sound-mix. * Nik Bärtsch's music occupies a niche all its own, equidistant from contemporary composition, funk/soul grooves and scattered world musics. In some ways further removed from jazz than the other idioms it has nonetheless been warmly embraced by the jazz community, its grooves and interlocking rhythms now frequently heard also at the jazz festivals - as well as in new music spaces and rock clubs. * CD booklet includes artist photos and a liner note by Nik Bärtsch in German and English
