Solo albums by bassists are few and far between. Apart from Eberhard Weber's legendary Pendulum, there is hardly anything of note to be found. Swedish-born Björn Meyer seems to want to remedy this situation. Convergence is the title of his second solo album, which is released today. What is it like?

After listening to it a few times, what stands out is the constant calm that emanates from the nine compositions. There are certainly more dynamic passages, as well as quiet and lyrical moments to be discovered – but everything is carried by a relaxed attitude that tells stories with the bass in a song-like and melodious way, rather than showing off with technical fireworks.

The narrative fun lasts a total of 37 minutes and 51 seconds. The title track and album opener, Convergence, provides a fitting introduction to the experiences to come: bass runs, layered on loops, sometimes plucked, sometimes bowed, create entire buildings of sound that make you forget that the bass alone is the source. Hiver is quite different, almost classical in its melodiousness, restraint, and economy. This contrasts with Drift, whose hard-hitting chords are reminiscent of Jonas Hellborg, and Magnetique, whose nimble bass lines oscillate in mood with their tonal shifts, before the album bids a melodic farewell with Nesodden.

Presented in 96 kHz, the recording creates a wide space in which the basslines and their loops spread out magnificently and unfold their atmosphere. Whether plucked, bowed, or altered with effects, the sound events are clearly recognizable and easy to locate, which is similar to squaring the circle in that the sound source remains in the same place on the same chair, and it is the clever use of technology that creates the illusion.

With Convergence, Björn Meyer presents an album that makes the solo bass a master storyteller. Sonically and musically convincing, it is undoubtedly a gain for the genre. And the recording itself? Fantastic! (Thomas Semmler, HighResMac)

Björn Meyer, 6-String electric bass

Photo: Fredrik Gille @garage.studios.sthlm