Richard Bone: Electropica

Douglas Payne

Contributor since 1999

Doug has produced CDs for such artists as Peter Thomas, Lalo Schifrin, Ennio Morricone and Cal Tjader.

Recent articles (260 total)

Published: March 1, 1998

Electropica is Rhode Islander Richard Bone's avant-ambient tribute to the significant influence of Bossa Nova. Bone is a one-man keyboard arsenal that launches his lush cocktails from the inspiration of Creed Taylor's Verve and CTI recordings of Antonio Carlos Jobim, Luis Bonfa, Joao Gilberto and Walter Wanderley. While the result doesn't possess the rich complexities of samba or much of the improvisation of jazz (with the possible exception of "Waveland"), Bone constructs bright and witty percussion motifs that elevate the music several quality notches above your typical New Age wallpaper.

Imagine what Martin Denny would have done with synthesizers and you have an idea of what to expect. Then scan titles like "Electropica" (the disc's best track), "Afrouxe" and "Canguru" for evidence of the wit Bone brings to his inspiration. And while only rarely does Bone get referential — "Ipanema 2000" quotes "The Girl From Ipanema" and "Pao, Baby!" offers a sample of Walter Wanderley's "Summer Samba" — his music offers a considerable understanding of the mysterious twilight warmth of the most appealing samba. Electropica, Bone's eighth QuirkWorks disc, is much deeper than Deep Forest and filled with the warm, effervescent feel of a classic samba production. For more details, contact QuirkWorks at 401-232-0210 or visit the BONE page .

Tracks:The Andean Grays; Electropica; Waveland; Afrouxe; Little Orpheus; Ipanema 2000; Canguru; Puff; Amazona Adeus.

Record Label: Quirkworks
Style: Straight-ahead/Mainstream