The closer ECM Records' founder Manfred Eicher pays attention to a particular session, the more it makes one want to do the same – Eicher being a visionary possessed of rare antennae for what's going on under the surfaces of sound.

Nik Bärtsch, the Swiss keyboardist and composer whose music has been dubbed ‘zen funk’, credits Eicher's personal input on this solo– piano album (his first for ECM after 15 years on the label) with helping to “enlarge the whole listening experience”. Entendre redeploys the minimalist ‘Module’ structures Bärtsch has successfully used with his Ronin and Mobile groups, which have often indicated jazzier implications through reeds, electric basses and the presence of his dynamic drummer and childhood friend Kaspar Rast.

But if Eicher was concerned about austerity on a Bärtsch solo venture, and maybe suggested ways it might more invitingly flow and stretch, then it worked. ‘Module 58’ characteristically starts with a repeated single note that turns into a scampering triplet ostinato, but winds down in contrastingly damped-strings sounds and playful treble tinkles. ‘Module 55’ suggests an oud's sharp tones as Bärtsch sweeps the piano's bare strings, and then mixes dark chord movements with briefly rocking grooves. ‘Module 13’ joins a slow, sombre walk to tiptoeing upper-register dances, ‘Module 5’ starts on rapidly tapping damped-note rattle and develops in thick, clamouring harmonies, ‘Deja– Vu, Vienna’ is steadily gentle and pensive. Nik Bärtsch feels a long way from jazz, but a lot closer to a freewheeling rhythmic spontaneity on this unexpectedly action-packed set.