Robert Rich creates music that feels less like a performance and more like a natural phenomenon. His soundscapes are incredibly dense and organic, often incorporating the sounds of water, wind, and wildlife alongside custom-built synthesizers. It is music that occupies a space between the biological and the electronic, moving with a slow, tidal patience that rewards deep, immersive listening.
What truly sets him apart is his technical obsession with microtonality and chaotic systems. Rather than sticking to standard Western scales, he uses 'just intonation' to create harmonies that vibrate with a purity and resonance rarely heard in electronic music. His history with 'sleep concerts' informs the pacing; this is music designed to interact with your brainwaves, guiding you into states of deep relaxation or vivid hypnagogic dreaming.
Start with 'Rainforest' if you want to experience his lush, humid environmental work, or 'Sunyata' for a more minimalist, drone-focused entry point. For those interested in his more structured, rhythmic side, 'Gaudí' offers a beautiful tribute to the architect's organic curves through sound.
Robert Rich (born August 23, 1963) is an ambient musician and composer based in California, United States. With a discography spanning over 40 years, he has been called a figure whose sound has greatly influenced today's ambient music, New-age music, and even IDM.
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