by Sean CooperAlthough his music is often consigned to the new age bins of record stores and the bulk of his work has been released on labels more closely associated with that classification, Robert Richs solo and collaborative recordings have proven extremely influential on a range of new school ambient and experimental artists. Although barely into his 30s, Richs association with earlier space-music pioneers such as Steve Roach, Kevin Braheny, and Michael Stearns also makes him one of the few of that generation to have interfaced creatively with the new wave of experimental electronic composers.A California native, Rich began experimenting with electronics in the late 70s before attending Stanford University, where he completed a degree in psychology. While at Stanford, Richs involvement in the universitys prestigious Center for Computer Research in Music and Acoustics expanded his interest in electronic composition, as well as bringing him...