Sasu Ripatti is a Finnish producer who is responsible for some of the most brilliant and distinctive sounds in recent electronic music. He is known to many as Vladislav Delay, who, with his stripped-down explorations of rhythm and soundscape scoped subterranean depths on his Chain Reaction and Mille Plateaux releases. To the rest, he is Luomo, the producer of sleek and soulful music from the innovative edges of house.
 
The lesser known Uusitalo project lies mid-way between the two in Ripatti’s non-linear universe. The sound is cleaner, more defined; a techno-inspired exploration of spatial dimensions, with jumpy beats and dancefloor aspirations. Elements of Ripatti’s submerged Chain Reaction techno are there, but lighter; his signature collapsing and reforming constructions evident throughout.
 
Born in Oulu, Finland (1976) Ripatti trained as a jazz percussionist, and made his living on the Finnish live circuit before selling his gear and delving into electronics. True to his jazz roots, improvisation figures largely in his work, and especially so with live performances. His percussion background also shines through: Ripatti’s approach to making electronic music, in all guises, is predominately rhythmic. His music is dominated by very complex bass rhythms developed with strange time signatures and unpredictable anomalies. He has also recorded under the monikers Sistol and Conoco.
 
Ripatti’s earliest releases were as Vladislav Delay, the fist in 1997 (The Kind of Blue, Huume). He started making waves with Chain Reaction and Mille Plateaux in 1999 before baffling fans with his Luomo debut on Force Tracks in 2000. He began releasing work on his own label, Huume, from 2004.
 
Though very prolific under his most recognized pseudonyms Rippatti has produced only two Uusitalo Albums. In 2000, Vapaa Muurari (Force Inc. Music Works), was released in two versions – the LP followed by a live mix CD. After a long hiatus, Uusitalo was resurrected and Tulenkantaja (flame bearer) was released on Huume in 2006.
 
The new album’s namesake and inspiration were borrowed from a radical literary group that operated 1940’s Helsinki, in which Ripatti’s grandmother played a key role. The ice-tech album is underpinned by metallic beats and organic rhythms. It inhabits the same space as techno while building intricate structures within, through and around it.
 
> www.huumerecordings.com
 
Appearances:
> CTM.07 > INFINITE BEATS