Canovas, Javi

Artists: Javi Canovas
P: 2020
Javi’s 4-track “One More Day, One Day Less” is another solid statement of (classic) up-tempo Berlin School electronics. The 65-minute album assembles all usual elements and dynamic currents and blends them masterfully using the same formulae: after a gentle introduction powerful, fast-paced (and sometimes even thundering) sequencers in the tradition of TD’s “Ricochet” take the stage soon thereafter. Each track is just tasty from start till finish.

Artists: Javi Canovas
P: 2016 / 2020
  OSCILLATIONS ends a very 2016 productive year for Javi Canovas with a return to basics. A return to the roots of pure Berlin School. Built upon two long music structures, of an average time of 26 minutes, which are organized on phases of rhythms in continual movement, this 4th opus of the Canary Islands' own synth wizard in 2016 exploits the themes of Berlin School with this sound so particular to the atmospheres of Javi Canovas.

A small fluty jet releases a series smoke eruptions which hide sequences starved for rhythm under construction, for rhythm in demolition. Part I begins this last sound journey of JC in 2016 with a swarm of sequences which flicker quickly in a circular movement. Then a synth unwinds acrobatic solos while other sequences soaked of organic tones try to substitute the rhythm to those a little more analog tone. Some nice synth tears caress this first transformation of Part I whose rhythm without column scatters its sequences in synth layers which waltz slowly and with melancholy. This first rhythmic demolition of Part I stretches its sufferings up to the doors of the 8th minute when OSCILLATIONS proposes a good ambient rhythm for the next 9 minutes. The sequencer throws a first line of bass sequences from which the hesitating gap in the furtive and circular movement allows another line of sequences to releases keys which jump promptly in a tube too narrow to make the rhythm overflow. The effect gives a steady rhythm where we roll of the neck and we tap fingers while the harmonies, some are sequenced, come from a synth and from its weeping soloes. This is good Berlin School with a psychotronic touch a la Neuronium in their years of electronic boldness. The finale is as much muddled up as the opening with pieces of rhythms which seek to get in a proper order of beat. Good Javi Canovas!

Part II proposes the same ill-assorted tangent as the 25 minutes of Part I. The intro is made of nice layers which float with a meditative effect. The nuances are good, going from joy to greyness. The rhythm turns up at around the 2nd minute with a horde of sequences which hunt those pensive fragrances by a lively movement which makes us travel in the years of Tangerine Dream's Encore. The tiny differences in the skeleton of rhythm and the gyrating effects of the movement are as attractive as these synth solos which roam like to hang on a sigh to our memories. Magnetizing, this first rhythmic phase of Part II gets lost in clouds of ether and in the twisted lamentations of a synth in mode as meditative as psychotronic. And it’s the moment chosen by Javi Canovas to present wild rhythmic phase with a furious rotary movement which rolls under the mute blows of a bass line and especially under attacks of a synth with solos as much vertiginous as the loops of rhythms. It's like a rhythmic roller coaster which go and come in audacious solos and floating layers which will seek farther for a den of serenity. It's the wildest, the most livened up moment of OSCILLATIONS. And this structure of rhythm doesn't die in the 17th minute. Oh that not! It returns, weakened and tamed by these divinatory layers, for a last lap which is just well measured in order to justify another listening of another good album from Javi Canovas who always manages to play one's card right, even in this year of massive production. Fans of sequencer-based style, this is for you. Sylvain Lupari (May 3rd, 2017)

Artists: Javi Canovas
P: 2020
3 long Berlin School sequencer titles.

Artists: Javi Canovas
P: 2012
It’s in a thick cloud of cosmic particles that the intro of "Psychedelic Voyage" begins our journey into the very psychedelic states of Javi Canovas' 11th opus. Allegorical twists in tones of cold sirens are snaking in all directions a wall of stigmatized drizzle whereas that quirky tones and echoing fuzz are squabbling these moments of hallucinogenic frenzies. This cerebral spasm sinks into a thick angelic fog which dissipates little by little when the first sequenced pulsations emerge with fright at around the 6th minute point. The rhythm zigzags shyly under the eye of a synth which scatters its abstruse breaths with mixed tones under a tempo which grows ceaselessly before becoming heavy. A feminine voice comes to caress our hearing while tha Canovas  exploits his fine and tortuous solos which decorate a rhythm became wiser. The smoke intro of "Mechanic Spirit" is shorter than on "Psychedelic Voyage" while the rhythmic approach is sharply more incisive. On this title the Spanish synthesist brings us downright in the years of Tangerine Dream's Phaedra with a very good mellotron fluty line which floats above the keys of a sequencer which mould an undisciplined rhythm. The chords of a sober guitar come to ennoble this rhythm which little by little gets dissociate of its Cartesian approach to arches itself and hiccups of curt spasms which pounce with crash in a heavily metallic ambience. Like a steel ballet "Mechanic Spirit" swirls in infinite minimalist loops, revealing its sequenced ions which try to hang on to the discreet amber vapors of synths and to this flute which had avoided it since its opening.
After the delicate dance of dreams drawn by a the soft piano and the enchanting flute of "Into the Sylence","Sundown" propels us in the much more audacious phases of “Psychedelic Voyage” where evanescent atmospheres and rhythms are interconnect to a structure which borrows more the paths of a progressive cosmic rock à la RMI than the psychedelico-cosmic wanderings of the vintage electronic years. More ethereal, the intro frees soft synth clouds which undulate thoughtfully. Sequences emerge from this lethal fog a little after the 4th minute. Waddling of a fast pace they draw a circular movement which skips of its symmetric arrhythmia under the charms of a divine mellotron flute while a guitar sprinkles its uncertain chords on a structure which swims in its perpetual duality. In fact "Sundown" is a long climbing with rest areas. The rhythmic passages are tremulous and molded on nervous sequences which skip such as a herd of mislaid sheeps, while heavy impulses of a synth which puts its Redshift clothes draw aggressive curves and kicks away captivating mists that a guitar is wrapping up with shuddering riffs and scattered solos.There are intense moments on this track which vanished, as it had hatched, in oched mists. Sat comfortably on a musical approach with infinite possibilities, Javi Canovas concocts another beautiful opus which find its way through all available mysterious cerebral meanders. “Psychedelic Voyage” is an album which swims in a Berlin School style to progressive and experimental roots. A little as the excellent Metamorphosis, but with an even more audacious approach.
Sylvain Lupari (October 4th, 2012)

Artists: Javi Canovas
P: 2020
The title track starts the album off, (working title originally called 'spire'), and begins with heavy atmospherics and sounds resonating as if from a huge steel chamber. After 3.5 minutes the ambience dissolves as a rhythm starts up with key changes and morphing with notes speeding up, and effects are building things nicely until it has evolved into a very rhythmic brew. This just gets better and better building to a sequencer/rhythmic frenzy! It gradually fades out at the end. A rather groovy rhythmic piece. 'Inescrutable' starts by immediately hitting percussive cymbal-like effects rapidly, with building atmospherics and sound effects. It fades as a heartbeat starts with piano effects, and sequency effects. I don't think I've ever experienced this wonderful combination of sounds before. It all kicks off with fast paced rhythmic sequencing and effects one after another. The sequencing morphs and my whole body is moving to the groove. Wow! Fantastic! A lead line comes along and the music reaches new heights. I imagine being inside an automated factory of robots creating new technology. Fantastic track. 'Speculum' begins with grand atmospherics and I feel as if I am floating high amongst the clouds in my imagination with visions of unseen lands! Awesome ambience! Eventually a rhythmic sequencer starts building and developing with various sound effects and an interesting pitch-bending lead line and rhythm that gets your head nodding, then the pace quickens and it launches into a 100 mile an hour rhythmic sequencer masterpiece that is sure to put a smile on your face. Breathtaking music! Lead lines fly over the top until almost screaming feedback proportions. I imagine an unstoppable force of nature marching along on a mission. The piece gently fades into atmospheric ending. This album is just getting better! 'Ancient VIsion' fades in with more atmos', wind effects and the title makes me imagine being overshadowed by a giant Greek or Egyptian statue. At 3 minutes it all changes with new effects anticipating change, a slow deep rhythm grows and develops alongside swirling wind effects. The rhythm gets quite groovy and speeds up, more effects coming and going. This actually reminds me of 'Redshift' in full flow, it's that good! Javi is in top form right now. This is full on sequencer crazy berlin school of huge proportions, oozing attitude, and fades out into ambient atmos' at the end. This music has gone past seriously good and into highly influential. The bar has just been raised! 'Penumbra' starts eerily atmospheric like being in an inner-world, hidden. Spooky effects and twitters, then an organ sounds deeply makes me imagine being in a tunnel. A rhythm starts and effects come and go. It all speeds up and a lead line plays along, accelerating to a fast pace and I imagine running free through an exotic landscape. This rhythmic sequency music with added atmos' builds with high points and my whole body is moving. Absolutely fantastic! I'm playing 'air-keyboard' and loving it! It suddenly dissolves back into atmos' with not long to go, then this magestic track closes nicely. 'The Nihilist' starts with sounds reminding me of the oceans, very atmospheric and powerful deep sounds then a sequencer starts up, and is seriously groovy. The sound effects and keyboard playing is catchy, and more effects add to this, by now amazing track! Piano is playing a tune, and it sounds like a jamming session between 2 or 3 musicians, the playing is that good! The track finally closes, and what a great track to end this fantastic album! This is instantly my favourite and the best album that I have heard in a very long time, and will surely stand the test of time. Simply an essential album!
Review by Geoff Mason.

Artists: Javi Canovas
P: 2007
Yet another excellent album by Javi that from time to time reminded me a little of Rainbow Serpent.
The difference in style is evident immediately on Red Metal’s opener, “Circadian Rhythms,” a piece of modern electronica with a shuffling dance beat. Not my thing, but well done.
“Radiometry” is more my speed as crystalline sequencing starts us off. A fat synth lead eases its way in, and the track is really allowed to breathe before the beats come in, softer and slower this time. More synths and sequencers are layered in and this one gets a thumbs-up.
“Commutation Q” shimmers with ethereal tones, warm and bright. Bouncy sequencing and thumping beats return for “Cibercafe” in a winning combination as well. Also very good is “Dark Memory System,” another bit of fun synthesizer synthetic sounds. The emphasis is on a futuristic electronic sound, no synth guitars or oboes or even flutes. Mostly upbeat, there are occasional darker moments such as “Liquid Crystal”, a subtler, more dramatic piece.
The title track is completely devoid of rhythm, with warm synth timbres, very nice.
“Radar” is my favorite, a complex number that weaves at least three distinctive, varied movements into its 10-minute time span.

Artists: Javi Canovas
P: 2020
\'Lost Road\' begins with organ sounds and effects that gradually build rhythmically, then it breaks back down with the organ coming and going and rebuilding at a rather pleasant and sedate pace, increasing in volume and energy. Sequencing speeds up as the rhythms grow with intensity. At over 10 minutes more layers are added and the volume increases as this piece grows in strength and the beat speeds up to quite a fast pace. A lead line comes and goes quickly and there is some more great sequencing, atmospherics and effects that build to a peak. I imagine running through an exotic jungle along a meandering pathway, almost hidden. It\'s quite a brew of rhythmics, beats, sequencing and effects in a hypnotic way. Some of the intensity gets stripped away to allow the piece to breathe again. At about 21 minutes the piece has evolved, reminding me a little of late 70\'s early 80\'s TD, sounding somewhat melodic. At 24 minutes there is a brief respite then the rhythm re-establishes with the by now recognisable sequencing and lead lines. There is definately a focused attitude to this piece, like it\'s on a mission. It fades into atmospherics and organ sounds to close. It felt like 30 minutes just flew by! Nice one.
\'Slow Light\' starts with film-like effects and atmosphere fills the space around me, then electronic tones and notes replace the atmos\', then grows and a rhythm joins with anticipation, and is melodic in construction. The rhythm repeatedly peaks with intensity and volume, and more layers are added, gradually constructing while effects and atmospherics come and go. At about 13 minutes the pace quickens and organ sounds join along with melodic notes bouncing along with more attitude and intent, being joined by loud tones in waves of peaks before it eventually dissolves into organ sounds and spacy tones. Phew!
\'Stop And Move\' opens with early Kraftwerk type effects, then is joined by organ ambience, then a \'stop/start\' bass drum beat and melodic duo strike up countering one another, and a rhythm establishes. A sequencing pattern then joins and builds, and layers are building with intensity, getting quite groovy and hypnotic. A metallic lead line peaks around 12 minutes and intense sounds swirl around and powerful organ washes over like an ocean. At over 15 minutes everything has dissolved to majestic tones. This album is a refreshingly good electronic sequencer, and a rhythmically inventive workout album.
(Dedicated from Javi Canovas to Debbie & Geoff)
(Review by Geoff Mason)
 

Artists: Javi Canovas
P: 2007
Strange Vision starts with “Forty Years Ago,” majestic at first before launching headlong into brisk pacing with a bright, pleasant synth melody. The sequencing really cooks, never coming up for air, carrying the load until drums are added near the end.
“Tzu-Jan” is equally if not more energetic, and by the time “Prelude” comes around I’m wondering if Javi is ever going to let the listener catch his breath.
Things slow up a bit on the excellent “Skyjacker,” but after a mellow intro it too picks up the tempo, if showing perhaps a little moderation.
Surprisingly melancholy piano and pads take us into “Missing Autumn.” Still, the emphasis is clearly on keeping things always in motion, and this one eventually moves to the beat as well. “Skywatcher” is the fastest yet, before ending as majestically as the album began with “Last Journey.” Similar to each other but quite different from his earlier releases, these latest Canovas creations should please his old fans and earn some new ones along the way.
With "Strange Vision" Javi has once again proved how talented he is when it comes to sequencer music, this time expanding his sound a bit and going for shorter, more focused pieces instead of the longer, 1970's influenced epics of his previous offerings.

Artists: Javi Canovas
P: 2019
‘Iron Storm’ opens with powerful tron effects and atmos’, and a rhythm starts to develop out of chaos and electronic stabs. It is all stirring like a tremendous magnetic storm, and a high-hat rhythm balances opposite a very deep one. The rhythm then organically morphs into a rapid paced sequencer frenzy! Atmospheric symphonics and effects come and go building louder and I am well into body moving sequencer heaven. There are so many peaks and dips in the music with one frenzy after another that I am in ecstacy! There is also some great keyboard playing amongst all this, all done with fire in the belly from Javi, exuding just pure primal emotion, then it all disappears into atmospheric ending. Wow!
‘Grieta’ starts symphonic and powerful, reminding me of Vangelis. I imagine being in a hall of giant statues of the gods. Just awesome! A slow rhythmic beat plays along with effects and electronic doodlings that build the piece rhythmically. A huge slow deep rhythm grows alongside a great stereo-effect of higher pitch grooves that bounce along wonderfully and the rhythm increases in speed slightly, with effects. Strangely ‘TD – Logos’ comes to mind while I am mesmerised, it’s so hypnotic! The massive sounding rhythm grows with louder bursts while new and rhythmic effects come and go with swirls and swooshes. Don’t let the slow beat described fool you as this track is more awesome as it goes on, and there is some great keyboard soloing, and so much going on that Mark Shreeve would be proud if he played this himself! Heavy atmos’ returns as the rhythm disappears to end this awesome track!
‘Nucleus’ starts with more atmos’ and a slow but powerful beat that gradually builds and speeds up, becoming rather rhythmic, and effects play along and increase with intensity. The awesome deep rhythm grows in power and volume as if it is expanding and then contracting back again. Effects come and go and I am loving just soaking it up. Layers of music gradually slip away as this track ends with symphonic atmospherics. This album exudes power and energy that few can equal.
An essential purchase that you will want repeated listenings!
Review by Geoff Mason