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Ricardo Villalobos – Alcachofa LP [Perlon]
Perlon presents a re-issue of Ricardo Villalobos‘ debut album “Alcachofa” from 2003, a truly classic LP when we talk about minimal techno and what sparked the artist’s international career, turning him into a well-known pioneer of the genre. Originally released by the German record label Playhouse as a 3×12″ record set, this re-release adds a fourth record, the “Alcachofa Tools”, featuring three tracks, two of which were released only on the CD version.
Born in Santiago, Chile, Ricardo is now based in Berlin yet he constantly travels the world, performing at numerous electronic music events and festivals while always finding studio time to play with his gear. In recent years he dropped various EPs in collaboration with artists like Maher Daniel on The Other Side, Ferro on VBX Records, Samuel Rohrer on Arjunamusic, Tripmastaz on Respect The Craft, Washington Miranda on Hearing Colours, as well as solo materials on Rawax, black.round.twelve and BQD TRAX. His own imprint Sei Es Drum remains silent yet who knows what the future holds.
Definitely one of the most influential albums in the history of minimal electronic music, “Alcachofa” remains a timeless masterpiece, laying out hypnotic and groundbreaking rhythms and textures that only Ricardo could have come up with. The album opens with “Easy Lee”, a track that sets the tone for what’s to come with its subtle, pulsating bassline, thumping 4/4 beat and distorted vocoder lyrics. Following, “Theogenese” maintains this driving setting yet adds even more bleeps and glitches to the table while “Bahaha Hahi” and “La Raja” dive deep into experimental, focusing on their twisted background textures and heavy modulation.
Throughout the LP, Villalobos showcases his exceptional ability to create a sense of suspense and anticipation, keeping the listener engaged and curious about what comes next. “I Try To Live (Can I Live)” and “Quizas” smoothly flow with steady-paced yet quirky arrangements, subtle acidic elements and eerie vocals, to which carefully placed breathing moments are placed in order to create an immersive atmosphere. “Fusion The Enemies” rolls with a heavy bassline at its centre as the psychedelic effects elegantly complement the low-slung percussion while the melancholic vibes of “Dexter” feature a relentless groove and a playful interplay of drumming patterns, samples and warm chords that have been heard by thousands of people all around the world, making this track an instant classic.
On the 4th record “Bach to Back” drops a bouncy minimalistic sonic affair powered by a wobbling bassline, slightly phased claps and unusual delays while “Y.g.h” and “Waiworinao” complete the release with style by finally making their way to the vinyl format. If you missed out on this album in the past, now’s your chance to get it.
In retrospect, “Alcachofa” stands as a landmark release in the evolution of electronic music, showcasing Ricardo Villalobos‘ pioneering vision and his commitment to pushing the boundaries of the genre. This LP remains a must-listen for anyone interested in the intricacies of minimal techno and the innovative possibilities within the electronic music landscape.
Pre-order your copy of Alcachofa LP at deejay.de.
Artists: Ricardo Villalobos
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