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Driving looped beats are consistent throughout the album, with the splendid opening track also containing excellent organ work from the multi-talented Jimi Polar in ‘Polar Ice’, a musician to keep an ear out for. Residing in Bondi Beach, Regal has found and tapered numerous fine samples with terrific drum variations plus play with pitch and tempo.

Though perhaps there would be more nodding than dancing, I expect dance floors to enjoy Loop Dreams as much as sofa dwellers. Filled with wicked drum breaks this is quality late night material at times worthy of comparison to the legendary Austrian dubsters Kruder & Dorfmeister. Indeed, my highlight from the album comes in ‘Searchin’ for Peace’, a track reminiscent in moments of G-Corp ‘Peacetime’ from the brilliant Different Drummer compilation. ‘Searchin’ for Peace’ has a tranquil groove and contains the sweetest of melody, played out through squelchy electronics in a charming intro and outro.

tranquil grooves with squelchy electronics and innumerable well-sourced samples

Songs fuse together giving the album a beat-tape feel, which makes it tricky to distinguish standout tracks. ‘Keep On’ has more lush squelches, this time within the bassline, which sounds excellent as it feeds off the fading falsetto vocal. ‘Capt Ahab’ hums and hi-hats into a percussive feast whilst ‘The Mack’ brings a fun funk edge with amusing dialogue, “…his business is pleasure”. ‘Shock ya’ Mind’ is an old-school number with a vocal that drifts over a Grandmaster Flash flavoured instrumental with an ending which suggests how Regal has sourced his innumerable samples “…You sure have a lot of records.” The lovely repeating melodies in the title track and ‘Old Friends’ provide a mellow finale as the album ends in contemplative mood.

Loop Dreams is a worthy ode to Regal’s mixed influences, from 70s jazz-fusion to the more concrete beginnings of Hip Hop. It has enough merits to make it worth checking, especially for people who enjoy the music of DJ Shadow or Nightmare’s on Wax, or any wannabe or ageing B-Boys. I would not regard it as being a cutting edge classic, however I doubt I shall tire of that melody in ‘Searchin’ for Peace’, timeless music reflecting the message, “we bring peace & love…”

Loop Dreams is available now on Unique. Regal will be displaying his DJ skills as he tours the UK & Europe, including a show at the incredible Sonar festival plus an album launch in London on May 19th.

Links:
Unique Recordings
DJ Regal
Richard Dorfmeister Presents A Different Drummer Selection
Sonar Festival