Robert Rich
Electric Ladder

THE REVIEW

On "Electric Ladder," Robert Rich returns to the organic textures of his best times, reprising the now-established fusion of acoustic elements (especially flute) and electronic synths (particularly the modular synthesis developed in recent years with the use of the MOTM, of which he is among the main promoters).

Offering less austere and dramatic tones than usual, we move towards natural and meditative environments where the registers expand with light and circular phrasing ("Concentric"), cosmic progressions of Tangerine Dream origin ("Shadowline") but junglish and obsessive as only the more percussive Rich knows how to be ("Electric Ladder"), and other more canonical ambient pieces ("Sky Tunnel," reminiscent of Fax releases, "Poppy Fields" with the usual vibrant raga geometries, "Never Alone", a splendid carpet of narcotic drones). In keeping with a certain propensity for unusual instruments, this time featured is the bassoon (a sort of hybrid between accordion and sax) played by Paul Hanson, who draws discreet and humble webs; "Aquifer" is the most successful piece, mystical, diluted, with a synthesis that emulates a unique hybrid between mandolin and sitar, crawling on a tortuous path of sharp analogy reminiscent of the work on "Bestiary", and delivers glimpses of the most hypnotic and hallucinatory Robert Rich, the one from the '80s/'90s masterpieces.

It does not fall into the easy mannerism of "Rainforest," nor does it approach the visionary force of "Gaudi," yet the 'equatorial' version of Rich is always very appreciable.