Artist: Rico Casazza
Title: Yaman EP
Label: Archipel
Release Date: 28th November 2016
Cat. Number: ARCH129

 

Tracklist

A1. Allichu
A2. Aye
A3. Golden Leaf
A4. Seq Uenza
B1. Dark Matter
B2. Jobsuck
B3. Painful Wisdom
B4. Yaman

 

A striking quality in this album is the amount of genres being represented. From downtempo to breaks, with hints of electro, jungle, dubstep and film score, there is a wide pallet of sounds, moods and genres that Rico Casazza refined over his 10-years-long career and has enabled him to achieve a high degree of eclecticism, notably in this album.

In the track Aye, for instance, we notice the presence of recognizable Roland sounds in the groove that give the track a feel of old-school and nostalgia. Moreover, albeit the presence of retro-sounding instruments, the song doesn’t stick entirely to this retro-style thanks to the presence of long pads and decorative sounds coming in and out all the time. As such, Rico is able to set his tracks in both the retro and the future.

Another characteristic of this album is how he plays with texture and sound design. For instance, in Golden Leaf, some instruments sound acoustic, almost natural and others are clearly synthesised. This contrast allows the track to be very visual and stimulating for the listener.

Another example of this can be found in Dark Matter. The mood is significantly dark, deep, and heavy due to the track’s fast & slow tempo sensation, spooky vocals, lingering noises and a very strong dub-step rhythm signature. The overall impression of this track is that of a particular heaviness and burden that reminds Burial’s sound spectrum.

Rico also focuses heavily on the structure of his tracks. For instance, Sequenza relies particularly on progression. In this piece, the main arpeggio synth dynamics vary throughout the end, it’s this hypnotic sequence that takes the listener to a trance like state-of-mind. The 303 acid bass here is quite smooth and liquid and accompanies the sequence until the end, while the slow beat keeps the rhythmic patterns in the right place.

However, in Jobsuck, we can find a different example of how Rico changes the mood in his music. With a funkier dubstep beat, soulful female vocals, and greats keyboard solos, all of which make this track a dancefloor groover. Allichu, or the “peaceful” track of the album, has refined melodies and long warm pads It feels like a movie soundtrack for its elegant vibe and electro/ish groove.

Painful Wisdom is a journey into a mystical and dramatic place, which Rico tells us trough sound. Ethereal melodies and a heavy breakbeat groove gives some deep meaning and heavy dancing feeling to this track.

And lastly the most notable track of the album Yaman has a peaceful “music box” sort of melody, putting the listener to a zen place. The electro influenced beat dances and mutates along with the driving 303 acid bassline that makes this track a music score type while keeping a strong and energetic vibe. A perfect balance between a dance track and songwriting.

All in all, this album is as eclectic as it gets, and acts as a testimony of the artist’s ability to play with different genres. Understandably, this work’s success rests in the ability of Rico to captivate as a music storyteller. It is about the journey in his music that makes this album quite unique.