Jazz Articles about Richard Barbieri

About Richard Barbieri

Album Review

Richard Barbieri: Planets + Persona

Read "Planets + Persona" reviewed by Glenn Astarita

by Glenn Astarita
March 29, 2017

Prominent British keyboardist Richard Barbieri (Porcupine Tree, Japan, David Torn) and an impressive support lineup give true meaning to the conventional ambient-electronic allusions of space exploration. But the keyboardist ups the ante by incorporating groove-based settings amid pristinely recorded textures, streaming layers and the use of acoustic instruments for augmentation and expansion-type initiatives. Here, every note resonates and provides x-amount of significance. Working with the world class prog rock band Porcupine Tree and numerous solo and side projects, ...

Album Review

Richard Barbieri: Planets + Persona

Read "Planets + Persona" reviewed by Geno Thackara

by Geno Thackara
March 18, 2017

Keyboards often play a supporting part in many ensembles, but Richard Barbieri still takes the idea farther than most. His roles as band member (in art-pop outfit Japan and eclectic rock band Porcupine Tree) have always been marked by a distinct lack of spotlighting. He works with atmospheres more than notes, and riffs or heads are the exception more than the rule. This doesn't mean his solo excursions are simple unobtrusive ambience or abstract noise--rather, these are vividly immersive tapestries ...