Rami Imam's 'Safara EP' is due out in early February on Ponda Records, one of what seems to be endless supply of labels supporting musicians from the Melbourne conurbation. YATM is rather excited by all this so we jumped at the chance to find out more about Rami and the tracks.
YATM: When you started Ponda Records back in 2020, "to develop cross-cultural sound explorations" your single on Street Tracks sounded miles away from the six tracks on 'Safara' so have you been working on these tracks since then as you've more than nailed the label brief?
RAMI: I have always explored new sounds and styles in my productions, but this new direction has really taken shape over the past two years. I’d say it’s the path I want to follow with my music moving forward, and I’ll definitely be leaning into it even more.
YATM: What's your musical background as we're told you were inspired by "Afro-Funk, West African Highlife, Arab Disco, Bollywood, Afro-Cuban Jazz, Libyan Reggae and Algerian Rai" Sounds like you might have worked in a World Music record shop/how did this come about?
RAMI: I went to Houghton Festival in the UK (Ed. founded by Craig Richards; he of Fabric etc) and experienced an incredible six-hour set by Hunee and Antal — two DJs I hadn’t really heard of before. That set was eye-opening. It showed me the power of older music and how it can blend with such a wide variety of genres from around the world. After that experience, I became obsessed with digging into older, more diverse music, and it completely reshaped how I approach my own productions. That moment was a real turning point, and I’m extremely grateful for it.
YATM: This development in house/dance/club music seems more prevalent than ever at the moment [we've recently had the 'similar' Sun Sone album 'Patience' on Earthly Measures (see review HERE), is there anybody/artist/label that's influencing you as a musician.
RAMI: I am constantly drawing inspiration from so many incredible artists across different genres, so it’s hard to pinpoint just one. Right now, I’m loving what Demi Riquísimo is putting out on his label Semi Delicious, (Ed. remember the Demi remix of 'Demba' by TSHA featuring Trio Da Kali - 2021) and Radio Slave with Rekids is always releasing heat.
YATM: And turning to the new Safara EP - can we talk through Side A, the amazing 'Yale Yade', 'Kidda' and 'Bombay Sundown' , this last one has a touch of Be Adult Music on an express train going to Bollywood!
RAMI: 'Yale Yade' I wanted to make as a modern Arabic disco groover that had a cosmic feel to it with the hypnotic synth that loops throughout the song.
The sample in 'Bombay Sundown' came from an Indian Grooves record I picked up a few years ago. The moment I heard it, I fell in love and knew I had to do something with it. I haven’t actually watched or listened to heaps of Bollywood, but I do loSve the music off the 1986 Bollywood film ‘Shart’ – you should definitely check it out!
So there's our 'Side A' introduction Rami Imam and the LINK to 'Side B' will be out tomorrow, and there's more for our favourite "truely awesome release" for far this year.
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