- Luke Vibert is one of the most prolific electronic musicians around. Since 1993 he's amassed a total of 22 albums under various aliases (Wagon Christ and Kerrier District among them) on some of the most experimental and groundbreaking labels out there. He's collaborated with Jean-Jacques Perrey. He's earned legions of adoring fans from across the spectrum of electronic music. It speaks volumes that the man has played at seemingly every event the jungle and gabba-loving Bangface have ever thrown, and yet is releasing his latest LP (sixth as Luke Vibert, if you're counting) on Hypercolour. Having said all that, I've personally never been a huge fan—I've found a lot of his music a little too easy on the ears. Some of his back catalogue has been on constant repeat since I first heard it, but as with anyone who's released such a huge volume of music, he's a little hit and miss overall.
Ridmik is an album centred almost entirely on the Roland TB-303. Vibert's knowledge and intimacy with the machine is unique, allowing him to tease grooves from it in ways most producers can only dream of. But despite the prevalence of the 303, and Vibert's predilection for acid generally, classing this strictly as an acid album is to do it a disservice. Tracks such as "Acage" marry the genre's defining sounds with soulful vocals and a glossy R&B sheen, bringing a level of musicality few others can manage with these tools. In fact, the last album I can think of that achieved this fusion was Vibert's incredible Lovers Acid from 2005.
Once you've gotten over just how much the record makes you want to slink around in a dark and smoke-filled room, you'll find there is a lot of emotion below the surface. Take "Stabs Of Regret," a punchy groove that's peppered with melancholic chords and a pensive melody. Or "Six Eight," which is again driven by that distinctive bass but layered with a reflective and wistful refrain. It would be insulting to Vibert to call this a return to form, but it's certainly him at his best.
Tracklist01. Ridmik
02. Stabs Of Regret
03. Six Eight
04. Acid Jacket
05. Acrobot
06. Acage
07. Overstand Me
08. CS303
09. Proper Gander
10. Double Dipped Acid
11. Vortek