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Naveed Akhtar aka Freak Seven has been involved with electronic music for over a decade, first stepping on to the scene with releases under his own name for Regal sub-label New Religion. Akhtar has since gone on to release highly praised singles for the likes of Rush Hour, Ilian Tape and released the anthemic ‘We Bring The Music’ on 2020Vision back in January 2012 where he returns to here.

The release opens with the original version of ‘Surreal’, a heady Detroit influenced cut that embraces raw, shuffling rhythms, a penetrating acidic bass-line and Akhtar¹s signature low-pitched, spoken word vocal lines from Aniff Akinola. Seven’s production abilities shine through when he introduces an amalgamation of melodic elements to brilliantly play off and contrast against one another in harmony. The result is a retro in spirit yet undoubtedly forward thinking house track. An instrumental version is offered up next and as the name suggests it gets down to the nitty-gritty with a straight raw drum and synth vibe.

Mobilee’s main man Sebo K turns in a mix of ‘Surreal’ next, reshaping the cut with his signature swinging house sound. Weighty 909 drums lead the way alongside a hooky bass, sporadic Hammond organ chords and snippets of the original vocal lines. All infused with Sebo’s deep soulfulness and simple yet effective automation touches such as a subtle, intermittent delay on the tracks stabbing bass lick. A ‘Dub’ version of the mix is provided too, Sebo strips back the original feel and introduces a bright synth stab that’s smoothly dubbed and drawn out throughout its near seven minutes with some extra ethereal pad lines to boot, creating a tasteful after-hours interpretation.