Riccardo Releases EP 'The Desert Secrets' on Egypt's Geeza Records

Egyptian label Geeza Records has tapped India-based DJ and producer Riccardo for its third release, The Desert Secrets - a four-track EP that distills the Italian’s signature sound at its sharpest form. Marking a rare emergence in an existence away from release cycle, the record serves as a bridge between Riccardo's past explorations and a revitalised creative chapter that saw him relocate to India - a move that has proven to be the catalyst for this comeback, opening up a fresh sense of experimentation and a deepened perspective that carries the entire EP.

His distinct sonic language is the result of years spent as a dedicated digger. Rooted in old-school deep house and minimal techno, Riccardo’s work is deeply influenced by his studies in sound therapy and tonal nuances. By sidestepping the homogeneity of the global electronic circuit, his unconventional approach to sound design sees him weave waveforms created by sound stones and natural elements like water, wood, and crystals. On The Desert Secrets, this patience pays off, revealing an artist who has used his recent time away to further refine a sound that is as organic as it is technical.

On the EP, Riccardo navigates the intersections of minimal, house, and acid with a tactile, high-fidelity touch, showcasing his tendency to meander away from typical club formulas. ‘Akera’, the opening track on the A-side of the record, sets the tone with reverb-soaked synths that slip in and out of sync before a warped, acid-tinged bassline creeps in, locking the track into a playful, off-kilter groove that is as trippy as it is immersive. ‘Carilon’ follows light on its feet and is finely detailed. Bell-like percussive tones flicker over a steady house rhythm, giving the track a bright, almost toy-box quality without losing its sophisticated edge.

The B-side leans further into Riccardo’s sound-healing sensibilities, with the first track, ‘Lana’, a meditative swinging groover, built on softer, woolly synth pads and percussive textures that sound like a clutter of wavelengths ricocheting off of Tibetan bowls. Meanwhile, the closing track, ‘Hellorlove’ breaks away from the straightforward 4/4 house beat, pivoting for more experimental electronics that feel almost extraterrestrial, showcasing Riccardo’s mastery of sound design through complex syncopation and glitchy alien-like micro-samples. And when the drum kicks in, the track hits like all guns blazing.

With The Desert Secrets, Geeza continues to solidify its stature as driving force within the region’s underground electronic scene as the first Egyptian label to distribute local producers globally on vinyl and enlist some of the most renowned international ones, including Argentinian artist Juaan’s Dr. Ritmo, released in 2024.

The Desert Secrets is available for purchase via the Geeza Records Instagram link in bio.