Experiencing dreams we had no idea of

A journey of a «Dream Teller» band album «A Dream We Didn’t Know About»

Two great young Latvian musicians, Kristīne and Edgars Cīrulis, released an album, «A Dream We Didn’t Know About». It features 10 compositions in English in elegant arrangements. The authors of the music are Edgars and Kristīne, co-author of the composition «Dream Teller» is Rūdolfs Dankfelds.

The album was written at the time when the pandemic overtook the world and gave us some «time to do our things». So this artwork was done. Different music tracks were recorded online, and digitally traveled to the authors, where the mixing and mastering works began. Toms Lisments certainly deserves huge compliments for the post-production of the album sound — this really is a world-level quality. And a bunch of professional talented musicians owns the responsibility for this. Drums and percussions in every composition of the album were played by Rūdolfs Dankfelds — Edgars Cīrulis admits that if he had some parallel realities, he could release at least three more versions of this album simply due to the recording tracks sent by Rūdolfs. Bass and double bass here were played by Jānis Rubiks, while Svens Vilsons recorded three instruments — electric guitar, acoustic guitar, and cavaquinho (ukulele tribe instrument). Ketija Ringa-Karahona joins in with flute, clarinet, and voice. Polyphony and voice arrangements in this album are plentyful, and Rīga Dome Cathedral schoolmates Māra Vidiņa and Līva Dumpe helped to record it all. The main vocal part is sung by Kristīne Cīrule, while Edgars Cīrulis recorded keyboards and piano and some voice parts as well. Guest artists here are Aleksejs Bahirs (violin and alto), Federico Nelson Fioravanti (percussions), Ēriks Miezis (vibraphone, metallophone, and percussions), Liāna Stankēviča (accordion) and Dārta Traune (cello), and all of this adds some world music sound to the album. The author of the album cover done in the collage technique is Lelde Guta, who created a dreamy atmosphere, bringing us to the sky object world. And now on these songs.

Together

The foggy beginning of the song seemingly dives in out of nowhere — just as if it was searching for some light. The transparent vocals of Kristīne, together with a swirling accompaniment, invite the listener to move slightly. Cluster chords are a powerful contrast. In the second part, the rhythm changes to a stable pulsation which is accompanied by bright violin interplays and vocal polyphony, reminding a little of angels singing. The end of the composition brings us back to the rhythm of the first part, with some voice added. The chord melody of the outro leaves us with a feeling about the unknown future or an open question.

If Only You Listened

The song is created by a folk music accompaniment combination with a virtuoso melody, as well as a detailed and intimate text that seems to be whispered directly in the ear. I’d describe this as a traveling song. Virtuoso passages, changing rhythm, airy tone of the flute — all of it creates a light mood. Bridge with a pleasant flute solo creates a mood that changes to a vocal invitation to listen to a tiny voice. The sharp ending of the song creates a feeling of longing.

This Here Story

The song has a slow intro in a singer-songwriter style. Acoustic double bass and guitar interplay creates a soft basis for the interplay of the voice and violin, with the accordion joining later. Three-fourths meter invites you to sway along. Voice masterfully uses falsetto. The dramaturgy of the song has a beautiful ascent with back vocals.

Undiscovered color

The intro of the composition features a vibraphone that repeats the melody, adding a magical feeling. The continuation of the song has a polyphonic turn that helps imagine how many melodies can be living «in one house». Then there’s a sharp turn to a more jazzy accompaniment and complicated main melody. In the middle part, the text gets sung as a recitative, creating some suspense. And in the third part, one and the same sentence gets repeated many times — this creates a meditative and persuasive story feeling. In the end, returning to the melodic differences of the first part, we can hear a rhythmic bass riff making us think about things that are out of this world.

Center your love

The album often uses the technique when the main melody gets doubled by another instrument, creating stability in the melody. This song follows this as well — the melody gets doubled by a silenced piano. Then the cello joins, and I feel warmth in my heart. The rhythm section perfectly shows a slightly naive melody in a beautiful love speech. The polyphonic interplay of voice and flute — dissonant harmony which later resolves — impresses greatly. At the end of the composition, the first melody gets repeated again, with a flashing effect accompanied by a flute. Amazing bass riffs let the body feel a slow but stable rhythm.

The Aura Next To You

The song begins with a bright piano motif that gets supported by a double bass and drum rhythm. This composition has a modern jazz style with many unresolved dissonances. Dynamic contrasts of the second part offer a break in order to, later on, return to the modern sound. It reminds me of Kendrick Scott Oracle’s art a little bit — polyphony creates a pleasant sound. The unexpectedly sharp ending greatly benefits this atmosphere.

Dream teller

Ballad-like song with a spectacular double bass intro. The base of the composition has an acoustic guitar accompaniment with arpeggios and soft singing, telling a story of a dream teller. In the background, back vocal «hmmm» parts create amazing vibrations. The refrain has a nervous, searching mood.

Message Of Peace

The song has a slow intro with unusual harmonies, listening to which a fateful feeling arises. Doubling the melody with the piano and flute brings the composition some stability and order. Soft guitar solos with a clear jazz guitar sound bring us to a culmination that is saturated in sound — back vocals, flute, and guitar altogether create a whirl. A flashing feeling.

When I

This is a spring song telling us about the joy of blooming. Soft piano accompaniment. A male vocal part in the refrain adds to a whole timbral palette. This minimal style composition creates a nostalgic feeling. This song has the first and only piano solo in the whole album. The recording features all the little sounds produced by the piano, scratches, and squeaks that create a feeling of being in one room with the musicians. A very true and honest composition.

Altogether the album «A Dream We Didn’t Know About» left a light aftertaste. I liked the minimal and thought-through arrangements the most, the lightness in the difficult musical maneuvers, as well as the world-class quality of the recording. I’m impatiently waiting for the moment when I could be listening to more such dream materializations in music. So I wish the musicians lots of inspiration and strength!