Twisty afterhours tech flexing a wealth of synaptic sample work and some sturdy synthesis. Moroccan artist Bassam steps up for the fourth release from Lebanese vinyl outfit Somewhere… with his “The Alma Diary” EP featuring a dope remix from the inimitable Voigtmann.
Antam records boss Bassam slips in some naughty yet nostalgic synth lines that meander in tandem with easy grooves in “Groovin Shinnin” on the A-side. From the 8-bit type vocal shots to the video game theme melodies, Bassam makes it feel like we’re busting moves inside a digital dream world.
A2. Makes it rain with “Alma got Money” as a host of soulful and harmonic elements combine as the bass riff rips through, paving the way for the leads and vocal which join forces to deliver a serious storm. Taking definite influence from tech house but can’t keep her eyes off electro and classic dance sounds, it’s no surprise Alma’s got money!!
B-side ushers in waves of bleeps and bloops under waves of rich pads and murky vocals that glitch and stutter to the beck and call of synth tweaks that ooze analogue goodness in “Chaira Alma”.
Voigtmann reworks “Alma got money” to round off the record, he brings a sleazy blend of squelchy resonant tones and downright driving percussion that provides a tidy backdrop over which reimagined riffs and motifs make themselves heard, zhuzhed up with some extra groovy touches.
With previous releases from Mostly James, Karaba and Otis, the Beirut-based label has been cemented itself in traversing the finer lines of electro-tinged, spacey and housed-out goodness. Lebanon has also seen a plethora of top artists playing Beirut, all thanks to the Somewhere… crew as they’ve welcomed the likes of Traumer, Dyed Soundorom, Mari.te, Priku and Sweely all in the past year, and with parties being held regularly since 2021 you know they know how to do it.
Keep an eye out for lots more from them in times to come.
Get your copy of [SW004] here.
More info on Bassam
Instagram | RA | SoundCloud | Bandcamp | Discogs
More info on Somewhere…
Instagram | RA | Bandcamp
