RAMZi

Phobiza: "Noite" Vol. 2

★★★

To be quite truly completely honest, only was attracted to this album and the first volume because of the covers; which are a direct copy of the BYG Actuel style. But I am pleasantly surprised with what I hear, even if it isn't that groundbreaking or new. RAMZi who is a female DJ / Producer from Canada, emerges with a sound that not many other modern electronic producers are taking on. 

In this field of electronic music there are very few who are taking this route, many like Oneohtrix Point Never, turn their surroundings into these cold, industrial soundscapes. While RAMZi has gone in the complete opposite direction, utilizing native instrumentation and the sounds of the jungle. The playful and curious sounds from birds, water drums, and shimmering synths are put side by side with these choppy, wordless vocals that seem to be run through some type of vocoder. 

The reason I don't think this is a very new concept or anything is that in many ways it seems to be a reskinned version of some Jon Hassell albums such as Vernal Equinox and Fourth World, Vol. 1: Possible Musics. He used similar techniques of intertwining nature with the sounds of his trumpet and Eastern or African instrumentation. This would not be bumping on the dance floor, but there's a special place for this music.

It's an album that is supposed to transport you into this living, breathing world. And while it is quite short, it does its job pretty well. You can almost feel the lukewarm mist surrounding you as the sunlight begins to peek through the heavy, wet leaves above. 

Favorite Song: Male Heya