Aquáticos is a collaboration between cool, Californian dudes Fabiano do Nascimento and Eddie Ruscha V. Captured in L.A.-based sessions, the album has the pair’s contrasting acoustics and electronics in peaceful partnership. Nascimento’s nylon strings sharply picking out complex kalimba, harp and hang drum-like patterns. Ruscha’s modular synths busy bubbling. Vintage keys sending out soft, sympathetic fanfares and electric, pedal steel-like arcs. 

Tumbling fretwork figures are looped with vibes, tabla and playful, ping-ponging bleeps. Drum machines release stirring rushes of broken beats. Ringing gongs resonate. Adding overlapping overtones. Laidback, lapping tides of spare, sustained chords and popping, percolating programmed percussion wash against piano and steel pan sounds. 

On Bio, Spanish leaning playing shuffles to brushed syncopation. Imerso is an ambient jazz improvisation. Solar is another highlight, where Nascimento’s fingers take flight. Leaves appears to have an accordion in its distance. The closing 9-minute number, Rio Inverso, swims in a sea of dubwise echo, rattle and effects. Some of its more “techno” textures twinned wth stuff like Hosono, Sharp and Mixmaster Morris’ Quiet Logic. Light and live-sounding, the duo’s easy interaction makes for a super nice listen. Perfect “BGM” for engaging friends in warm conversation. 

Fabiano do Nascimento and Eddie Ruscha V’s Aquáticos can be ordered directly from Music From Memory.