Scottish Berliner Dream_E delivers “Crushed” on his imprint The Burrell Connection, a four track EP release with a purpose.
Shortly after this record was produced and just after his 25th birthday, Dream_E awoke in a hospital, unable to walk, talk and at times breathe, properly. It was Encephalitis, a rare brain infection which a few days later caused a seizure. Written just before his hospitalization, “Crushed” acts as a prophetic and cathartic journey, laid bare by Dream_E as he explains his story. The proceeds of this and the next few EPs on The Burrell Connection will all go to The Encephalitis Society.
“Loop II Infinity” begins with a dreamy arpeggio and melody, each layer hooky, sticking in your brain right away, including the shuffling techno beat and bassline. Virtually every part is a hook. A house string section lifts the track higher, as breakbeat snippets and additional hats cut in and out, providing dynamics. The title of this tune is quite fitting, a cut one might play as a set closer, providing vibe and a soulful lift.
Dream_E continues the breakbeat thread with liquid drum&bass stylings. Deep dubby bass holds down the low end of “Freefall”, as mysterious synth textures hover in the background. An additional bass layer accents the groove like a dark, ravey voice that speaks in a hushed growl. Intricate snare edits add hi-fi jungle energy, and keep the track in aggressive territory. What began as a smooth roll, evolves into a journey through unknown alien landscapes, just as much left/right as up/down, conjuring doubts and questions, destinations unknown. There is light, but many dark underpinnings. A haunting vocal trill calls out into the soundscape. And the track ends with a dire call: a bell tolls.
Admittedly, “Freefall” created anticipation of what would come next. “Love Mixxed” is anchored by a looping vocal, ‘Your love’, and you can’t help but feel a sense of warmth and gratitude in this tune. It begins with a cheeky voiceover declaring its wish for universal bass equality for all via Funktion One… but no surprise, the cheekiness was misdirection, because the pad that drops in is deep, warm, and moody. The vibe is from the heart. And it seems what Dream_E wants very much is just for us to have a proper soundsystem and enough alcohol to go around– the kind of thing a friend would want, only what’s best for us– and we appreciate the sentiment, it is sincere. But underlying this bit of fun, clearly the musical root of emotion in this track is soulful, heartfelt, and definitely feels personal and intimate.
“Radiant” is the biggest and most energetic track of the EP. Most artists would have perhaps put it higher up in the tracklist. But here, it works perfectly as the last, taking the energy higher, like a DJ would in a set. The beat takes off in a techno workout, drums pulsing in an insistent riddim section. Bouncing in stereo, classic analog stabs provide a funky foundation, anchored with a melodic bassline. A synth filters and modulates in the middle, while snappy hand claps begin to sound off. Strange synth textures call out like jungle birds. The overall effect sort of exotic, foreign, and ecstatic. We are left wanting more, hoping for an extended edit.
“Crushed EP” is available on digital, as well as wax which it wholeheartedly deserves.
-Nicolaas Black
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