Desert Dawn by Javi Cánovas

"Desert Dawn" by Javi Canovas.
"Atlas" begins with piano notes and chiming like ethereal middle eastern bells, then a groovy bass rhythm kicks in and an enchanting tune plays. I imagine snake charmers are working their magic on snakes. It is certainly drawing me in, this weaving and hypnotising music. Wonderful stuff.
"River Luccus" starts with a brief intro that is haunting, then a very percussive rhythmic brew of all manner of instruments gets your whole body moving. It's like a spell is being cast on you in an east meets west kind of way. A type of flute and various drums work really well. I imagine being in Jerusalem in biblical times, and belly dancers are entertaining the king during festivities. The piece ends with atmospheric synth sounds. Very enjoyable.
"Thar" starts with a beautiful tune played on piano, but sounds like xylophone. Lovely synth atmos' washes in with effects, a relaxing build up and occasional percussion is used with effects. Eventually powerful synth sounds and 'tom tom' type drums kick in, then the atmos' gets heavy and flute plays a lead line. A deep synth groove is introduced and what sounds like a kaval (wind instument-like a flute) is playing. This great piece concludes with piano and heavy atmos. Excellent.
"Blue Desert" starts with atmos and 'xylophone' and 'tom tom' sounding percussion with flute/kaval. I feel as if I am in Cairo in the rush hour. Just let your imagination run away with you. The wind instrument plays a delightful tune here.
"Fez" begins with haunting synth atmos' and percussion and heavy bass rhythm. Piano notes cascade up and down the scales and a tune plays ethereal music with a touch of drama to a groovy end.
"Nouadhibou" begins with synth atmos' and although the title is the name of a city, this music actually makes me imagine cool air flowing across the desert at sunrise, and sand rushes by creating ripple formations to flow and ebb like a river. Eventually this is replaced with just percussion and flute playing a positive tune of hope and promise. After a short while this is underpinned with a bass line and more percussion. Suddenly, a heavy synth noise interupts and I am thrown back into atmospheric bliss with a flute accompanying, then fades to a lovely end. I really did enjoy the eastern feelings of this album, giving it a different feel to his usual stuff.
This album Javi dedicates to all his love and memory of his parents.
Review by Geoff Mason.

Javier Cánovas is a prolific electronic artist from Santa Cruz de Tenerife. J.Cánovas has worked on his take on Berlin school inspired style since around 2005, but is also since active in other similar ambiental projects like 23FISH with David Paredes and Audiometria with Miguel Justo.