Review: Rich Ruth is the recording alias of Nashville multi-instrumentalist Michael Ruth, and it is a project which he uses to craft immersive instrumental pieces that blend gleeful adventure with soothing meditation. Beginning with solitary mesmerising loops and drones, Ruth enriches his arrangements with a diverse array of collaborators. The resulting compositions meld spiritual jazz, synth-infused post-rock, and cosmic ambient into absorbing trips that captivate and elevate in equal measure. His latest album, Water Still Flows, is the third in a series of celebrated LPs and represents his most intense and cathartic work yet. Spanning seven tracks, the record finds Ruth pushing his creative boundaries while showcasing how songwriting serves as a deeply personal and grounding expression of artistry.
Review: Nashville-based experimental musician Rich Ruth's upcoming album, Water Still Flows, is a journey into immersive soundscapes and introspective melodies. Recorded at his home studio, this seasoned session player, who initally started making his own meditative solo material to help him get over a traumatic carjacking, weaves together crafty loops and drones with the help of collaborators like Spencer Cullum, Ruben Gingrich, Patrick M'gonigle and Jared Selner. The album, set to released via Third Man Records, reflects Ruth's struggles and triumphs as a working musician, capturing both the soothing calmness of solitude and the tense variability of his professional life. Tracks like 'No Muscle, No Memory' showcase Ruth's ability to blend spiritual jazz, synth-infused post-rock, and cosmic ambient into a cohesive sonic experience. With Jake Davis handling the mixing duties, Water Still Flows is Rich Ruth's most cathartic and introspective offering yet.
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