Some genres of music seem made for a certain time. Roughly, classical is good for studying and dining. Rock and metal are good for fighting. Funk and soul are good for sex. For me, the type of work Namo does is perfect for a chill-out session. His fusion of loose dub rhythm and dusty hip-hop is spot on just to take the edge off a long day or week, and helps ease you into long evening of relaxation.
“Sunrise P.1′ does indeed, bring the sound of sunrise, with birds chirping and blipping synths lifting it from the silence. From nowhere, an enormous stomping handclap beat drops, stomping along with a swaggering gait. Eventually the piece gives way to the birds. “Movin N Groovin’ is all mid “90s DJ Shadow, with a dusty sliced break holds it together beneath glistening synths and mc raps. “Generations Beyond’ plods with a heavy dubby certainty to itself. Sub bass wobbles beneath splayed keys and vocal stabs, as this piece sounds like the perfect hybrid of dub-steppy trip out and hip-hop smoke. Stabs of underwater organ open “Signals’, before a quick step beat and heavy swinging bassline take control. A lone flute sings its own song, before the rhythm changes up and gets proper hip-hop. Suddenly, things turn quintessentially lounge, as vibes and flute slide together to create a mellow cocktail of smooth on “Now You Know’. Claps and vinyl crackle keep this feeling oh-so-chic, yet it’s impossible not to nod the head along with its seductive feel. “Sunrise P.2′ sees a bass laden continuation of the opener’ sound, using the textures established in the first piece and fleshing them out further. A massive kick pushes things forward, as stabs of voice echo to and fro. “Insomnia’ is the sound of delusion nights where sleep is absent, delayed drums spilling out every which way as woozy drill synths grate against the side of your skull. “Cactus Dub’ is labelled as a “bonus beat’, but given there’ no gap between it and the track before, it doesn’ feel terribly bonus. It is, however, a rather impressive exercise in stoned mpc work and classic dancehall riddim. “Where the dub comes first’s indeed.
As far as instrumental down-tempo hip-hop dub (what a mouthful) is concerned, this hits the spot pretty much right on. It’s just the right length not to get stale, and straddles genres in just the right way. Perfect for a mid-afternoon chillout.
Nick Giles
