Namo offers up this double A side 7″ as a fitting accompaniment to the EP length Long Walks Off Short Piers. Featuring two pieces from said release and an extra ‘between track’ style piece that are so popular to this genre, it sits alongside its fully grown brother as a worthy single.
On the A side, ‘Movin N Groovin’ kicks instantly into gear, cruising from the start on a cloud of smokey synth shimmers and dusty sliced up breaks. Stuttering vocal samples fit perfectly amongst the haze of vinyl crackle, while tambourine slaps emphasise the snare. All the while, the bass keeps such good time and tone that you barely even realise it’s actually there, humming away in the background, only surfacing when other mix element take a break. ‘Sunrise Interlude’ is a brief, hazy concoction of congas, gliding synth pads, single bass notes and rapid firing snippets of voice. Although short, it’s a perfect buffer between the two main pieces without being pointless.
On the AA, 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 the rhythm rolling, yet it’s impossible not to nod the head along with its seductive feel. Although this piece sits alone on the AA, the side which would usually house 2 tracks, it holds its own quite competently, given its distinct tone and feel.
Material like this was made for vinyl, and this release sounds the goods. Fans of downtempo bar style groove are advised to have a look at this. While total track time can’ be much more than 8 minutes, this is a tasty way to fill those brief few minutes of your day.
Nick Giles
