spirare reviews: Travels to Janaicah

I don't remember when I first heard of Dynoman/ Haamid Rahim. It might have been a couple of years ago, as I tried dipping my calloused toes in the world of music-making. It's a complicated place, and I feel like a lot of things fly over my head and pass me by. I don't know what I am doing and I barely interact with other people. But I always remember to listen to the music he churns out. It might have been because he two years ago, he left a really amazing comment on one of my old track Stranger on Soundcloud:

so much beauty in this track, its very subtle. Amazing job, please do keep up the great work. I have said this on a lot of tracks but there is a lot of amazing talent we hone in pakistan. great contribution to the scene!

I scream inside whenever I remember this. Who doesn't want this kind of critique on their work? 

I've listened and enjoyed his previous album Naubahar. But this one, named Travels to Janaicah: Cheebay's Imagination, made me want to sit down and pen a review. I'm not sure why; I think the reason is I can relate to the whole idea of imaginary worlds. I've spent half my life living in my imagination, and to be honest, I show few signs of leaving it soon. I think that's why the concept of Dynoman's Travels to Janaicah is so appealing to me. The little word document with it says: 

Travels to Janaicah*~

The story of Cheebay, an 8 year old boy, who gets sucked into his imagination AKA Janaicah. Immerse yourselves in the sounds of Cheebay’s imagination and grow with him. Let your imagination flow. 

Janaicah. What a cool name.

I wasn't sure what kind of mood to expect. My secret imaginary country had cellos and a choir and maybe at one point, a whole orchestra playing in its background. It was moody and dark. I lead armies and fought wars and sadly, let the cities fall apart. What would Janaicah be like, I wondered.

I clicked play, and the music was like a switch had been flipped and all of a sudden all I could think of was a beach. And waves. And sunshine. Things beep and clank and bump, pebbles and marbles bounce off each other. Here and there, sampled vocals stutter as synths twist steadily around the drums and bass. If you listen to the album in a single playlist without gaps, you'll see how seamlessly the tracks transition from one to another. The tracks have a similar mood; light and sort of airy, but never careless. They all seem to follow the same formula: clever beats and synths layered over each other, the tablas and marbles and pebbles tumbling over the edges. It's fun, it's relaxed, but should I say, restrained? Everything is structured and contained; it won't spill over the edges or grate against your eardrums. It matches the lovely artwork made by Asma Javeri perfectly, the impressionist waves rushing past your feet. 

I really like this album. It's something to immerse yourself in truly. It's good to have something light for a change, something to play as you lay down in the sunlight and think. I give it a 4/5.

Highlights:
Astro, Walnut Warriors, Yeden. The bass in GEESE GEESE. 

Available here.