Review: Pedro Ricardo - PEDRO002 (Pedro's House)

Pedro returns sounds like an album title in itself, 'Pedro's House' sounds even better. But his latest EP is called 'PEDRO002' and thankfully they tracks are far more inspired.

Regular readers will know from experience that all at YATM, we love a new album and when it came to Pedro Ricardo's 'Soprem Bons Ventors' on Soundway (see the review HERE) along with the 'Single of the Month', 'Déhéba (see review HERE), we were "all in" on the project!

That was two years ago and whilst this new release on his own label has lost some of that leftfield some Cinematic Orchestra vibe there's still evidence of the multi-instrumentalist's "take of a modern dance of Hermeto Pascoal flamenco jazz-folk-house" with a trip hop jump to DJ Shadow influence with fusionist tendancies.

This 5-track release covers all the above bases kicking off with the jazzy piano-synth 'battle' of 'Solway System' vs '28 or 5 to 4' which is perfect 03:55 am festival soundtracking.

'In The Attic' standing out as the one for jazz-house-warpdom with the others bouncing from post-dubstep/bruk.  Ironically, 'In The Attic' has the least Bugz (In The Attic) references, 'Knockup Stream' shows best how this can work on today's dancefloor.

We're told Pedro is know form taking risks - from house to techno ('Maracuyá_Matanzas')  - and this is another EP that falls between popular genre definitions which makes it all the more essential!

Artist: Pedro Ricardo

Title: PEDRO002

Release date: 11th March, 2025

Label : Pedro's House

Catalog Number : PEDRO002

Format:  Vinyl 12" / Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Pedro Ricardo - Soprem Bons Ventos (Soundway Records)

At YATM, we love a debut album and it looks like our regular readers do also as the single, 'Déhéba (see review HERE) was one of the most popular last month. 

The follow-up single, 'A Marcha Que O Monte Parou' wsa equally emerced in the mix of Brazil / Spain / Portugal / Cape Verde (as reflected in the fantastic artwork by Gosia Machon) along with some Cinematic Orchestra vibe; such a shame its got such a sharp ending.

Both tracks are included on the debut album by the multi-instrumentalist as he gives us his take of a modern dance of Hermeto Pascoal flamenco jazz-folk-house.

The other 7 seven are equally as intriguing as the title track goes a bit spacey, a bit like a theme to a kids TV show that then comes back to some trip-hoppy DJ Shadow influence (drums provided by Luis Neto who is also on 'Ode ao Gato - a tribute to jazz legend, Gato 'The Cat' Barbieri).

'Entre O Vale E O Eco' sounds a little like a leftfield Azymuth track (real shame that this isn't full jazzdance length - perhaps on a future 12"?) and then we go to the foothills of  the Andes with 'Cantar Das Kandakinhas' and 'Tema 3' is more OST.

Pedro is definitely a 'fusionist', (like DJ Shadow was when he emerged from the ...) and this album is 'out there' in a similar way to Insólito UniVerso - Ese Puerto Existe (review HERE) or even Rubinho E Mauro Assumpção's 'Perfeitamente, Justamente Quando Cheguei' (review HERE)  [what are the chances of two albums and Ricardo's all being released in the same month?]

So, this album falls between popular genre definitions but Soundway is a name you can trust when it comes to quality, and this is definitely that; quality!

Artist: Pedro Ricardo

Title: Soprem Bons Ventos

Release date: 17th February, 2023

Label : Soundway Records

Catalog Number : SNDWLP159

Format:  Vinyl LP / Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Pedro Ricardo - Déhéba (Soundway Records)

I can guess you're first thought, is Pedro Ricardo's single 'Déhéba' as stunning as the image artwork?

Well, my answer is yes as the ever dependable Soundway Records continue to dig and delve to find us the best music from around the world.

DJ and producer Pedro Ricardo is from Portugal and 'Déhéba' drops ahead of his debut album on Soundway Records, 'Soprem Bons Ventos’ that is due out mid-February.

This is classic bassy Brazilian folk flamenco electronica!  This guy's music seems as eclectic as his DJ sets and radio shows on Balamii and NTS. 

Pedro Ricardo · Déhéba

Artist: Pedro Ricardo
Title: Déhéba
Release date: 13th January, 2023
Label : Soundway Records
Catalog Number : Digital / Bandcamp