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.
Flipping over the EP to 'Side B':
YATM: 'Dabo Ahes' (what does that mean?) and 'Jungle Voyager' are big on percussion and are made for the dancefloor.
RAMI: 'Dabo Ahes' is actually a made-up phrase. I thought the vocals sounded like they were saying that, so I went with it! The lyrics translate to: “Hey, brothers, hey, brothers – Hey, my brothers, I love you.” The track started with the drums - I wanted something organic and groovy but with a tribal feel, using deeper percussive hits. I was on a Barry White listening spree one day and came across 'Somebody’s Gonna Off the Man'. The rumbling low end blew me away - it sounds like a bass guitar layered with a double bass and a Moog to thicken it up. I isolated the bass, pitched it down, and it became the foundation of the track.
After digging on YouTube for a while I found a vocal from an early 2000s Nubian track. It was super catchy, so I tried it with the arrangement I had, and it all just worked. Jungle Voyager was inspired by classic 90s house, but I wanted to give it tribal and almost samba feel. I used that iconic house synth stab but layered it with more organic percussion. For the vocal chops, I sampled the Lebanese classic El Layali by Nawal Al Zoghbi (2000), which gave it that Middle Eastern touch.
YATM: 'Why Did You' is a bit of a grower as you think it's going one way [Robert Miles 'Children'] and then wonders into a spoken word and speeds up; it's very subtle
YATM: The cover art is very distinctive?
'RAMI: 'Why Did You' has gone through a few different versions over the past two years, but this one finally felt right. The vocal samples—Kate Winslet from 'Revolutionary Road' and Oum Kalthoum—just had such an emotional weight that it felt like the perfect closer for the record..
YATM: Are there any plans for a release party?
RAMI: Not at the moment, but hopefully some more gigs are coming up this year! [And] looking to host another 'Ponda Presents' event soon as well which will be fun.
YATM: The cover art is very distinctive?
RAMI: The incredible Jade Ping (UK - Graphic Work) desinged the artwork - how good is it? (Ed. Very) It's completely original and inspired by the Monatery in Petra.
YATM: And what's your future plans?
RAMI: I have been working on this ['Safara'] project for a while and have tried to put as much of my identity into it as possible. Over the years, I have been on a bit of a musical journey, figuring out exactly what makes my sound unique. I took a step back and really thought about it, and this project is the result - everything I love about different styles, sounds and rhythms all thrown into one melting pot. This is the direction I want to take my music, and I hope there’s a distinct, cohesive sound that comes across. Hope you all enjoy it.
RAMI: I have been working on this ['Safara'] project for a while and have tried to put as much of my identity into it as possible. Over the years, I have been on a bit of a musical journey, figuring out exactly what makes my sound unique. I took a step back and really thought about it, and this project is the result - everything I love about different styles, sounds and rhythms all thrown into one melting pot. This is the direction I want to take my music, and I hope there’s a distinct, cohesive sound that comes across. Hope you all enjoy it.
Well, as you've probably guessed, we certainly have enjoyed it. And whilst I've never been to Melbourne, this is the musical equivalent of the world famous Queen Victoria Market in the heart of the city: filled with fresh, vibrant displays of countless cultural traditions from the diaspora that have gathered there: 'Safara' is truly worldwide!
Link to 'Side A' interview HERE.
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