If this reviewer is not mistaken,
Risotto in 4/4 is
Wang Inc.'s first full-length album. The man behind this moniker is the Italian Bartolomeo Sailer. The sounds of Italia seem to have little influence on him: this electronic music could be German, American, or Japanese. On the other hand, when it comes to the techno scene, his influences are numerous and range from straight-ahead techno to the Raster-Noton school of sonic economy, but the names that stick the most, tagging along with every cut, are those of Reznicek and
Felix Kubin. Never fully embracing their kind of naïve pop,
Wang Inc.'s music keeps on hinting at their simple melodies and kitsch flavor. With very little tweaking, "The Robot With the Accordion" could be included on a
Nova Huta album and no one would suspect a thing.
Risotto in 4/4 is the most accessible, easy-to-listen-to CD released yet by the French label Bip-Hop. Joyful, sunny, and highly danceable, its debonair looks and simple beats can attract a wide electronica audience. But it lacks a bit of character to make it something to remember. Sailer obviously has a clear idea of the music he wants to do and his tunes are enjoyable, but a certain blandness remains that prevents excitement from blossoming. ~ François Couture