releases

REGAL - Loop Dreams



After a long hiatus, while remixing some local Aussie acts & finding his new sound, REGAL has finally returned to the melting pot, with his debut solo album ‘LOOP DREAMS’. Recorded at Regal’s then ad-hoc home studio (now in limbo), over an intense 4 month period in 2006, ‘Loop Dreams’ is a little gem from the one-time original founding member of both THE WISEGUYS (Wall Of Sound) & BRONX DOGS (Heavenly/Marble Bar), two of the UK’s most revered underground acts of the ‘90’s.

Encompassing Regal’s Hip Hop roots and a fresh batch of dusty breaks, this album delivers solid beats with a great blend of  Funk-Fusion samples, a dash of Psychedelia, deep grooves & a touch of the Avant-Garde. Focusing on a more reflective sound, which rewards the listener with each new listen, Regal has crafted an original, daring, and beautiful album of B-Boy music as part-homage to the brilliance of the 70’s Jazz-Fusion scene, his major inspiration these last few years.

Tracks like ‘THE VILLAGE CALLING’, ‘KEEP ON’, ‘OLD FRIENDS’ & ‘SEARCHIN’ FOR PEACE’ represent Regal going back to his Wiseguys’ roots & dropping some beautiful downtempo smokers, packed with multiple layers of drums, basslines, strings, electronic effects & each with a distinctly individual theme and sound. ‘POLAR ICE’ is a wistful but funky, uptempo jazz-dance track, with some great live keys from his studio engineer and talented musician JIMI POLAR, while ‘CAPT. AHAB’ & ‘LOOP DREAMS’, deliver looped-up psychedelics and a more free-thinking approach to the Hip Hop Instrumental.

‘Shock Ya’ Mind’ & ‘The Mack’ weigh in with Regal’s more renowned B-Boy funk style, but even here they are deceptive, as each of these rocks the floor with dark Jazz & edgy Funk at their core, that enable them to merge with the rest of the album…

…And this, ultimately, is the beauty of ‘Loop Dreams’ - that such an open palate of  Jazz, Funk, Rock & Fusion sounds, with a wide array of B-Boy breaks & individualistic themes, some great old-school studio gear & cutting edge new software - can meld together so well…clocking in at the 45 min mark, ‘Loop Dreams’ is relatively concise by today’s standards, but this only serves to make the album an even more addictive listen – you just wanna keep hittin’ repeat!

This long awaited solo debut from Regal will be released worldwide by UNIQUE RECORDS in March/April 2007.  Expect a series of 12” single releases with remixes from the likes of label mate MALENTE (Germany), ALL GOOD FUNK ALLIANCE (USA- Funk Weapons), PADDED CELL (UK – DC Recordings) and a tonne of  diverse and talented Australian producers such as FUNKTRUST, ED SEVEN, & NOODLES N BOOGIE.

REGAL - Loop Dreams is available through Unique Records/Basement Digs, and distributed by Creative Vibes

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