Richter Band -Richter Band, CD, 1991, Czech Republic

It's all too hard to ever sit and figure my all time top [whatever] but I know this one will be up there. High. A total fluke discovery [as has been many in my collection] from trawling through the Gibraltar Progessive Rock encyclopedia using the word 'drone' as the key search element.

[Don't let the prog thing put you off if you're a prog-snob, cause this transcends any stereotypes.]

I found a copy somewhere in Midwest USA and still say a thank you-hoo everytime I listen to it. Gorgeous late night listening.

"Richter Band [Czechoslovakia] Richter Band (91)
Listening to the first track of this Czech ensemble's debut album, I had the feeling that it was leading up to something - a sudden leap in intensity, an eruption into a wild and busy jam section, or some form of energetic musical statement (Gong's "A Sprinkling of Clouds" comes to mind). Well, the second track picks up a little, but throughout the entire 70 minutes of this disc, the music remains subdued and mysterious. Thats not necessarily bad, just a bit surprising. The overall mood and atmosphere is not unlike some of the mellow '70s German space/psych bands such as Popol Vuh or Yatha Sidhra; a sound rarely, if ever, evoked by today's progressive outfits. Richter Band is a three-piece, and their instrumentation includes electric and acoustic guitars, bass, and a variety of percussion (no standard drum set). The percussion is especially interesting; aside from some African drums, it consists almost entirely of "homemade" instruments - pots, pans, bowls, and other such items, used to surprisingly good effect. Much of the music on this album is created by the superimposition of several slowly shifting rhythmic patterns and melodic ostinatos. In fact, the rhythmic ideas they use are quite similar in style to an Indonesian gamelon orchestra, with the pitched percussion parts being played by guitars and bass. An example closer to home might be the minimalist work of composers like Steve Reich, who has been influenced by the strong rhythmic nature of both Indonesian gamelan music and African drumming. Two of the ten tracks are percussion only, and in addition to the mesmerizing sound of all three members weaving a sinuous rhythmic trance, feature interesting, or at least creative, sound effects such as spinning pot-lids on a cement floor, all recorded with a healthy dose of reverb. Another track is created using only guitars, with spacey E-bow drones drifting through various pick and slide effects. Especially for a contemorary progressive ensemble, Richter Band performs a highly original and creative style of music. Relaxing, peaceful, and meditative, it may not appeal to listeners who want searing guitar leads and driving drum and bass riffs constantly bombarding their ears. But the mellow nature of this music does not preclude it from containing a certain degree of rhythmic sophistication, a fact which should find this album an audience with many a prog fan." Gibraltar Progressive Rock Encyclopedia.