Curawaka - Dreamtime Remix Ep out now!

A concept in discussion since the 2023 release of Curawaka’s masterful second album, Dreamtime, this remix EP finally came together this year in a flow state. Talented artists we admire jumped at the chance to rework the incredible songs that feature on it, songs written by various band members in multiple languages, and sacred songs and traditions of guest artists that also carry profound depth through the golden Dreamtime thread. 

Produced alongside Txai Fernando of Nixi Music, the album was a multi-year labour of love that honoured, celebrated and elevated all that Curawaka as a band stand for and love. Soaring vocals, an array of traditional and modern instruments, colourful soundscapes and vibrant rhythms dance throughout, and the inclusion of electronic beats on five album tracks has been an incredible progression. Globally renowned artists Ida Engberg, Crussen, J.Pool, Nils Olav and Namirí took the time to add their own magic and perspective, turning in everything from soaring big room techno to effervescent ecstatic dance focused offerings.

The Dreamtime Remixes EP sees a grand vision take form, a dance focused, totally fresh way to enjoy these timeless songs. And, of course, 5 brand new chances to move! To let the music take your body on a journey within and without.

Dreamtime - Ida Engberg Remix

As the title track of Curawaka’s second album, Dreamtime itself represents the totality of the music. Featuring vocal samples by Hivshu, Taita Nando, Muwieri Xaure Eusebio Lopez, Doña Francisca Shawandawa who feature on various album tracks, alongside the soaring vocals of lead singer Anna Bariyani, Dreamtime is a deeply emotive aural journey. As gentle as it is powerful, the song carries the listener through countries, traditions and realms, serving as a beautiful accompaniment to meditation and a masterclass in the power of music to shift the inner world.

Techno legend Ida Engberg chose the song as her remix offering on this new EP. Known and honoured world wide as a key figure in the electronic dance scene, her talent has made itself glaringly known on her driving, mighty remix of Dreamtime. Made for big room moments and supercharged with force, the song finds itself in full bloom when played in cavernous spaces, and sends the listener to the stratosphere when played in headphones. An instant, unforgettable classic.

Shamboriri - J.Pool Remix

As an original song, ‘Shamboriri’ - written by Alberto Arroyo and Anna Stokkeland of Curawaka - is the dream of bringing a thousand songs together, for humanity to return to its essence, the goodness. To simply be in harmony with nature, be respectful of our planet that gives us everything, and pass on this legacy, simple yet profound, to our children and grandchildren. A song that shines light on how we can protect the miracle of life.

It also features an appearance by highly respected medicine man Muwieri Xaure Eusebio López from the indigenous Wixarika people of Mexico. He sings a ‘canto del marakame’ - a powerful and sacred medicine song, which calls in the spirits of the desert Wirikuta in order to hear and support the song ́s message. The Wixarika culture is represented throughout the song by the traditional instruments of canari and a Wixarika violin, also played by Muwieri Xaure Eusebio López.

In J.Pool’s remix, Curawaka’s song meets and moves the dancefloor. Vibrant rhythms and electronic beats carry the deeply meaningful vocals in new directions, taking the body on a winding journey through sound.

Curawaka ft Doña Francisca Shawandawa - Bitatara (Nils Olav Remix) 

The third remix to arrive from Curawaka’s Dreamtime Remixes EP was one of our favourites here at Nixi Music. 

Txai Fernando explains, “Doña Francisca is an elder of the Shawandawa people, also known as the Arara people, originally from the Amazon rainforest in the Juruá Valley, one of the most biodiverse regions on the planet.

A midwife since the age of 15 and a profound knowledge-keeper of the native plants of her region, she carries the ancestral knowledge of her people through pajelança ceremonies, traditional chants and forest medicines. She is a great healer who says that her healing is carried out through love.

Bitatara is one of the sacred chants of the Shawandawa tradition, sung in their native language, which belongs to the Pano language family. Some of the words are spiritual in nature, and their meanings cannot be translated literally. The chant calls upon the forces of the forest, as well as its animals and plants, to bring healing.

On Dona Francisca’s first visit to Norway, around 15 years ago, she shared several of these chants with me, which I had the honor of recording. Since then, through this cultural and spiritual exchange, her voice and her prayers have been able to expand and reach new frontiers, carrying the healing and the message of the Forest and of her Shawandawa people.”

Nils Olav’s lovingly curated interpretation turns up the energy with a dreamlike soundscape and gently invigorating electronic beats, amplifying the already divine combination of Doña Francisca’s and Curawaka’s musical magic. You can hear it everywhere now.

La Respuesta - Crussen Remix

As Curawaka’s Dreamtime Remixes EP continued to unfold following outstanding reworks by Ida Engberg, J.Pool & Nils Olav, we turned to Swedish artist Crussen for the next. He took on the mighty ‘La Respuesta’, a song written by band member Tavo Vazquez about the power of Pachamama, our Mother Earth, and as a reminder to always trust in nature and to continue to look ahead to the new dawn.

Crussen has established world-class notoriety as a musician, producer and DJ and also as a breathwork facilitator. Using all of these modalities, he amplifies the healing power of each of them with each other, approaching music as a powerful tool for elevation in spiritual practice. In his hybrid DJ sets, he offers heavy electronic beats, playful melodies, live harmonica, collective dancefloor breathing and a lighthearted remembering to celebrate the fundamental mystery of simply being alive.

This approach to music is deeply apparent on his remix of La Respuesta, in which he creates a long and winding journey through rhythm and rest, through song, drum and melody. This truly captivating exploration of music for movement is an incredible way to honour the energy of the original song, but to adapt and enhance it considerably for the dancefloor.

La Senda - Namirí Remix

Argentinian live electronic artist, producer, vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Namirí was the final artist to offer a remix for the epic Dreamtime Remixes EP! Having toured all over the world, sharing music as conscious gatherings, ecstatic dances, festival and beyond, Namirí takes inspiration to blend medicine music and ancestral songs with electronic beats, carrying the energy deep into the body and making a dancefloor move and rise in unison. 

Written by band member Tavo Vazquez in Palenque, Mexico, La Senda (translating to ‘The Trail’) is about walking the sacred path of life, a song for all those that are walking close to the sacred ways. Close to the elders, the altars, the fire, the sacred sites and rituals.

In this new remix by Namirí, we hear a more rhythmic version of this much loved song, one that moves straight to the hips and invites somatic release as the beats roll the energy up through the body.

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