RICARDO VILLALOBOS レコード& CD

Review: **RAUM REPRESS** Although Ricardo Villalobos has already appeared on Raum Musik under the RiRom moniker together with Roman Flugel, the Baby EP is his first full release for the label. The title track sees a firm kick and wood block snares forming the backbone for a drifting piano chord and sensual vocals which lead to a climax of delightfully glitchy vocoder. On the flip, "hansup" takes on a tougher groove, as sprung bass and minimal house stabs are joined by ethereal chords and twisted vocal samples.

Review: In the sprawling tendrils of minimal mastery Ricardo Villalobos has attached his name to, it's not always easy to pick out the stone cold classics. 2003 album Alcachofa is, however, a stand out moment from his career when he proved to be more than just a club 12" artist. Sure, the record is mainly driven by house rhythms, but this was a demonstration of the creative power within the minimal approach and Villalobos could get creative more than most. Originally released on Playhouse and now repressed on four 12"s by Perlon, it's a fitting tribute to a landmark record, now with added tracks from the accompanying Alcachofa Tools 12".