Hi all,
What's wrong with some of you guys?
I'm finding it interesting that posting Rico's videos has only turned this into a debate over auto accompainemt vs midi backing track performance,
and that hardly anyone bothered to appreciate, or even acknowledge the technical artistry and musician showmanship of Rico's live keyboard playing.
I admire his polished 2 kb playing technique & precise timing, as well as the musical expression (emotion) that he exudes in his playing.

Rico's playing style is really no different than a traditional keyboard player might use when playing tradition keyboard with a live top orchestra backing him,
or as dralion put it: "A performer/singer's backing band is a human midi file".

Whether you choose to use backing tracks or play with styles
remains a personal chose, each with it's unique set of benefits, challenges and limitations,
all of which have already been discussed and debated here.

IMHO, mastering both auto accomp 'arranger style' playing, 'playing along with high quality backing tracks',
as well as being able to play our arranger keyboard as a 'traditioanl solo piano' can only then make us a more complete arranger keyboard musician.

I don't give a rat's ass what method someone uses to play their keyboard, as it's the (honest) content & character (musical expression) of the music,
not the method used to achieve it that impresses me, and
I for one am very impressed with Rico's musicianship and think he deserves appreciation and respect for it.

Rico has informed me that he has joined Synthzone and is simply awaiting email address confirmation from Nigel.

Rico, welcome to you Synthzone buddy. I'm really looking forward to your participation.

Scott