IF you are looking for the perfect summer playlist, then DJ Dreas dropped just the gem for you in early December 2019.
The young producer, signed to Namibian record label Universal Master Builders Academy, delivered ‘Tangerine’: a seven track deep house EP that takes the listener on a journey that feels like getting lost inside one’s own my mind, without a care in the world.
The project, symbolised by an artistic tangerine-orange tile that perfectly encapsulates what you would want your summer to look and feel like, gives off a very unique and fresh vibe of what Namibian music should sound like.
It has truly been a while since someone dropped a tape with tracks that sound so natural and so familiar, yet so new and so exciting at the same time.
‘Tangerine’ has been the word on many a lip, especially on social media where the almost instantly recognisable tangerine-orange EP cover is a familiar sight.
The online reviews are raving and the 21-year-old DJ had a busy festive season, performing at the coast. Love that is all definitely well deserved, as the EP is something for anyone, whether you like deep house or not.
The EP opens up with ‘Hoag’s Object’, a soft and subtle house track with a touch of jazz and just the slightest pop influence, that will have you nodding your head as you vibe along.
‘Tangerine’, the title track is an upbeat, feel good song. The sense you get is that it’s like a love song, beckoning you to get up and move your hips and nod your head, while at the same time feeling almost like a letter to someone, similar to ‘Deepcentric’ which has an undeniable Euro house feel to it. It also plays around with some very unique sounding instruments which can pull you into a trance if you are not careful.
‘A Polaroid Story’ really takes you on a journey through some of your own happy memories. Not much is needed in terms of vocals in order for you to feel a certain familiarity with the song, that instantly takes you back to that one amazing summer you can never forget.
Some more relaxed sounds on the EP are ‘Love Fiend’, something you can effortlessly vibe out to, and two collaborations – ‘Seasons’ featuring South African vocalist Akeeda and ’/Gore’ with Namibia’s powerful songstress and Universal Master Builders Academy label mate, Dionlini, which gives the project the contrast it needs to stand out.
‘Akeeda’ sticks very much to the deep house, relaxed theme, using the singer’s voice to bring in a sort of poetic element, without overpowering the track. It is a tiny bit reminiscent of a goodbye song for an old friend. One that you want to play over and over again. Diolini’s contribution on the last song of the EP is the perfect way to wrap this project up. It’s Khoekhoegowab lyrics are somewhat mesmerising and enchanting. The song feels like it’ll have you lost out in the wilderness, but having too much fun to want to be found.
‘Tangerine’ was produced solely by DJ Dreas, real name Andreas Ngula Nambambi, in part at the Redbull Music Studios in Cape Town, where he had the opportunity to learn more about his craft with a one week residency, an opportunity he does not take lightly and which he has described as an unforgettable experience.
For more information, contact the Universal Master Builders on Facebook or Instagram or the DJ himself online @djdreas_na.
– @anne_hambuda on social media.
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