Ramzi

Houti Kush

BY Kristian VoverisPublished Jul 21, 2015

8
Strange things happen at night; stranger still are the things that happen in the nocturnal tropical kingdom of Phoebe Guillemot's latest release for 1080p Collection, as Ramzi. Even if you stripped it of its layered samples of tropical critters, the amount of detail in Houti Kush would still sound like the sonic equivalent of a lush rainforest, teeming with creatures of all forms that lurk between the vines and branches. You might not see them in between the lush flora, but you can certainly feel their presence.
 
New age, tribal and related descriptors could be applied to this album, but like most of Ramzi's work, Houti Kush occupies a terra incognita of her own design. The follow up to last year's "Bébites" keeps things bouncing with a clash of influences from across the world, filtered through a CGI lens, while tracks like "etwal" and "houti kingdom" open up to more meditative and emotional territory.
 
The album's a wide-eyed trip through this surreal virtual environment, guided by deep, melodic beats moving as amorphous structures. Houti princess Guillemot adds an occasional moody presence with her vocodered voice, carrying a tone of detachment reminiscent of Inga Copeland's work in Hype Williams. What makes the tape remarkable is that despite its hyper-simulated imagery, it succeeds in communicating a relatable human feeling.
(1080p)

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