Exposé Magazine
(11/02)

DISORIENT
Richard Bone

      It was convenient to label Bone’s music as ambient with his Hypnos releases, but in general the man’s music is much more undefined and idiosyncratic. Part of the clue for the new album comes from the title, in particular “orient,” the hints of which inform many of the pieces with the exotic touches of tamboura- and koto-like samples, Eastern modes, and serenely meditative structures. As always, Bone works completely with synthesizers, yet where so many one-man projects are hurt by poor tonal choices and awkward rhythms and drum machines, there is just an amazing sense of warmth and richness that infuses such life into this music. Many of the pieces on Disorient remind me somewhat of a more upbeat Eno or Budd, often with a rhythm or sequencer backing. In fact, several of the later pieces on the album are infused with much more overt dance rhythms including the almost techno-like closer “Buddha’s in Baghdad.” I can’t quite cop to liking the material with overt beats to Bone’s more subvert material, but I can at least confirm, as usual, that he never steps outside of good taste.

 - Mike McLatchey