Kiwa – Dreamtime Enhancer

Dreamtime Enhancer is the revolutionary debut album from Finland’s Kiwa, a group consisting of Make Louhio & Matti Elsinen. Released by the respected label Surreal Audio in 2002, it was met with a strong reaction worldwide, as psytrance listeners with a taste for sneaky grooves found themselves in love. In a time when many producers were following a path that led towards ever increasing levels of synthetic artifice, Kiwa restored faith in the organic side of the psychedelic trance experience. On Dreamtime Enhancer, Kiwa finds an incredible balance by forging serious and sophisticated futuristic grooves that still possess a sense of raw funky delight. Part of the secret is found in their original exploration of the curious intersection of trance, house, and breakbeat styles. Comparisons could be drawn to the work of acts such as Snake Thing, Metal Spark, Germinating Seeds of Doda, Eat Static, and Acid Rockers. Kiwa take it deeper than most, delving into sounds that Flying Rhino might have explored, had they not folded the previous year. The presentation of the release itself is fantastic; the cover art, indicative of Kiwa’s different approach – is some of the best from 2002. As for the music…

Cricket in the Ear does a great job introducing the listener to the unique style of Kiwa. The rhythm section is king, fusing elements of groovy house with a heavy dose of funky electrobreaks, all wrapped up in an acid-drenched cocoon. Big snarling bass riffs flare up amidst the scattershot particles of tripped out noises. Though it is lacking in melody, the track is powered by adeptly fabricated atmospheres that float above intricate percussive permutations. This is an excellent opener that should get the listener right in the mood for more.

Trans-Electronic immediately shatters the conventions of modern psytrance albums with an energetic piece of psychedelic drum and bass in the second slot. Flowing between atmospheric sequences, it always maintains a wobbly head-nodding groove destined for a surefire dance floor application.

Rally Spirit is introduced by a flittering array of synths that rise out of the darkness to herald the incoming beat. Soon enough the track is shifting through delightful rhythms, churning up turf with big loping bass lines that mutate as time passes. There is a playful vibe to the funky groove on this one, eventually shifting over to a more serious and thoughtful mode as tribal percussion comes raining down. Majestic atmospheres surge forth until a tricky break lets the child’s play continue. Wiggly beats and funny little sounds lope around for the remainder.

Digital Hangover is the first really exceptional track to be heard here, nicely placed at slot number four. A sick drum and bass riff is the key to the introduction, flaring up with a rumbling bottom-end amidst richly textured atmospheric effects. Peculiar sounds begin to clutter the space above an invigorating funky bass line, and several teasers of later themes are thrown in for good measure. After nearly three minutes of broken beats, the four-on-the-floor rhythm finally drops, and it’s solid! The body of the track features some very detailed percussive experimentations which never cease to gather one’s attention. The last noteworthy element is a very alien sounding bagpipe sort of noise, interjected briefly in the intro and close to the very end. Despite relying primarily on noise manipulation, Digital Hangover is a very engaging piece of work.

Neutralize is another solid dancefloor workout, once again experimenting with filtered percussion to an extreme degree. Alongside the funky bass line and endless rhythmic contortions, spacious atmospheric synths come into play. This one flows like liquid, adeptly mutating through a dazzling array of beat structures and futurist moods. There are playful moments as well, in which cheeky themes arise to provoke smiles all around.

Dramatic Display of Insanity is a wonderfully cinematic drum and bass tune that reminds me of Eat Static on acid. The rhythms are deliciously complex, and those menacing orchestral stabs suit the mood perfectly. Kiwa have forged a fantastic piece of trippy d’n'b with this tight track!

It’s back to four-on-the-floor with Alpha Sector, another highlight from the album. Manipulated drum loops get it off to a solid start, and then the organic rhythms kick in for good. This is an extremely funky track, full of massive grooves! Tribal drums spiral into the mix at times, accentuated by eerie voices and hazy atmospheres. The result is another brilliant exploration of the power of the beat!

Kiva Runner is nothing short of amazing! This tribal anthem integrates wicked drum loops and plenty of didgeridoo to achieve a mind-blowing organic atmosphere. The best moments occur right after a pair of build-ups, when the beats explode into a transcendent clockwork rhythm that simply must be heard. Mournful mystic flourishes from the alien bagpipes make a welcome return, deepening the level of trance promoted by this epic creation. Magnificent!

Deceptive Antiseptic is something of a brash big beat tune, full of fat throbbing bass hits and staggered breakbeat loops. The track feels as if it might fall into a disorganized heap if it weren’t for the magic ministrations of the producer. Rock steady!

Divider is much more tame than the material in the body of the album. This one focuses on mammoth drum sequences, more funky plodding bass lines, and an unsettling array of chaotic atmospheres that rise from the gloom in the last half. The rhythmic programming continues to be spot on, but this piece doesn’t possess all the charms of a few of the others.

Nasty Drop is a friendly finale for the dancefloor-friendly segment of the album. This reminds me of Slide & Lumen’s collaboration on Transient, perhaps due to the strong groovy bass line that is heard all over the track. Spacious arrays of filtered percussion get to work, and fluttering electro pings fire off into the atmosphere. Another solid piece, though it isn’t a favourite.

Even the final offering, a four minute long ambient excursion entitled Lahti Skyline, is impressive. Precisely controlled downtempo drum loops cycles as an intensely emotional set of sweeping pads gingerly spreads out across the sound field. Hints of mournful female vocals accentuate the mood, and the latter minutes adroitly provide the comedown, as clattering breakbeats give way to slow tribal drumming and an atmospheric focus. This is a beautiful way to end an incredible album!

Kiwa’s Dreamtime Enhancer is one of the finest albums released in the history of psychedelic trance. Seldom does something so stylish and unique emerge from unexpected sources. Surreal Audio had carved a reputation for daring releases with their first two compilations, but nothing had prepared the world for this brilliant release. Dreamtime Enhancer is a CD that rewards a full listening session, as the flow from track to track is simply impeccable. There are twists and turns in the storyline that are sure to delight those with a wide appreciation of electronic music styles. Any psytrance fan with an interest in drum’n'bass, house, and other more rhythmic forms of EDM should investigate this excellent album. Dreamtime Enhancer is one of the most enduring releases of 2002 – do not miss out on hearing this gem!