CD Robert Rich – Gaudí

Robert Rich’s Gaudí, released in 1991 on the prestigious Hearts of Space Records, stands as a cornerstone of contemporary ambient and electronic music. Recognized as part of Rich’s "mature tetralogy," this album marks a pivotal transition in his career, moving away from the environmental "descriptivism" of Rainforest to return to the transcendent, abstract structures first explored in Geometry.

Inspired by the architectural genius of Antoni Gaudí and the wider world of Surrealist art, the album masterfully blends electronic, electric, and acoustic instrumentation. Rich utilizes his signature "glurp" style—organic, liquid, and subterranean sounds—to create a sonic landscape that feels both futuristic and deeply human. Through the use of just intonation tuning and evocative acoustic sources, the album achieves a hauntingly beautiful, "fairy-tale" timbre that avoids the clichés of the genre.

Key Highlights:

• Epic Collaboration context: Released during a prolific era following his landmark collaboration with Steve Roach on Strata.
• Immersive Soundscapes: Features a "sequenced ambient" flow designed for a continuous musical journey.
• Genre-Defining Work: A essential blend of Ambient, New Age, and Experimental music from a pioneer of the "Sleep Concert" and space-creating music.

For collectors of deep atmospheric music and those following the evolution of the California ambient scene, Gaudí remains an essential, highly-regarded masterpiece in Robert Rich’s extensive discography.