Dream On Dreamer (Brand New Heavies song)

"Dream On Dreamer" is a song by British acid jazz and funk group the Brand New Heavies, released in March 1994 by FFRR as the lead single from the group's third album, Brother Sister (1994). The song is also featured on their remix album, Excursions: Remixes & Rare Grooves (1995), that was released in the US. It remains one of their most successful hits, peaking at number 15 in the UK and number 19 in Scotland. In the US, it reached number 51 on the Billboard Hot 100, while in Canada, it hit number 47 on the RPM Top Singles chart. The accompanying music video for "Dream On Dreamer" was directed by American director Josh Taft.[2]

"Dream On Dreamer"
Single by the Brand New Heavies
from the album Brother Sister
Released14 March 1994[1]
Genre
Length3:33
LabelFFRR
Producer(s)The Brand New Heavies
The Brand New Heavies singles chronology
"Don't Let It Go to Your Head"
(1992)
"Dream On Dreamer"
(1994)
"Midnight at the Oasis"
(1994)

Critical reception

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Larry Flick from Billboard described the song as "a rumbling bit o' retro-funk, fueled with the sultry vocal presence of Davenport. Song's immediately contagious chorus is the ticket to active play in pop and urban sectors." He added, "Not to be missed."[3] Troy J. Augusto from Cash Box named it Pick of the Week, declaring it as an "infectious, groove-heavy jam". He complimented the singer as "a gifted, dynamic and quite flexible vocalist who evens lifts some of the Heavies' mediocre material out of the darkness. Luckily, this track isn't one of those lesser moments and is only guaranteed longer shelflife thanks to her presence."[4] Another editor, Gil L. Robertson IV, named it a "standout track" from the Excursions: Remixes & Rare Grooves album.[5] Dave Sholin from the Gavin Report stated that the Heavies' soon-to-be released album Brother Sister, "will be a welcome sight and sound to the thousands of fans who have been waiting patiently for its release. Expect this first single to whet everyone's appetite that much more."[6]

Caroline Sullivan from The Guardian viewed it as "sleek" and "mainstream".[7] Chuck Campbell from Knoxville News Sentinel remarked that on the "hook-oriented" track, "the rich-voiced Davenport is the centerpiece around which bandmates Simon Bartholomew, Andrew Levy and Jan Kincaid swirl inviting music".[8] Maria Jimenez from Music & Media described it as a "soulful gem".[9] Ralph Tee from Music Week's RM Dance Update felt the group "are back in fine form on this extremely appealing new two step soul shuffler. The group's only version is naturally of acoustic orientation, with real drumming, keyboards and horns gelling very nicely on this soulful outing".[10] Paul Moody from NME wrote, "'Dream On Dreamer' comes on like the sassiest thing on the block, but somehow it's pure gloss."[11] Another editor, Ian McCann, noted that "N'Dea swoops magnificently into a pool of delicious strings."[12] Parry Gettelman from Orlando Sentinel said that the song "show the right way to update disco."[13]

Track listing

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Charts

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References

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  1. ^ "New Releases" (PDF). Music Week. 12 March 1994. p. 21. Retrieved 6 December 2022.
  2. ^ "Music Video: Production Notes" (PDF). Billboard. 19 March 1994. p. 45. Retrieved 5 June 2023.
  3. ^ Flick, Larry (12 February 1994). "Single Reviews" (PDF). Billboard. p. 93. Retrieved 12 July 2021.
  4. ^ Augusto, Troy J. (19 February 1994). "Pop Singles — Reviews: Pick of the Week" (PDF). Cash Box. Retrieved 27 February 2022.
  5. ^ Robertson IV, Gil L. (24 February 1996). "Urban" (PDF). Cash Box. p. 7. Retrieved 11 November 2022.
  6. ^ Sholin, Dave (25 February 1994). "Gavin Picks — Singles" (PDF). Gavin Report. Retrieved 14 March 2022.
  7. ^ Sullivan, Caroline (15 April 1994). "Music: Love 'em or leave 'em - Rock/Pop". The Guardian.
  8. ^ Campbell, Chuck (22 April 1994). "Forget Cobain; Let Love 'Live Through This'". Knoxville News Sentinel.
  9. ^ Jimenez, Maria (7 May 1994). "Groovemix: Short Grooves" (PDF). Music & Media. p. 7. Retrieved 7 October 2022.
  10. ^ Tee, Ralph (19 February 1994). "Hot Vinyl" (PDF). Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental Insert). p. 7. Retrieved 12 July 2021.
  11. ^ Moody, Paul (19 March 1994). "Singles". NME. p. 35. Retrieved 17 August 2023.
  12. ^ McCann, Ian (9 April 1994). "Long Play". NME. p. 41. Retrieved 21 August 2023.
  13. ^ Gettelman, Parry (22 April 1994). "Brand New Heavies". Orlando Sentinel.
  14. ^ "RPM 100 HIT TRACKS & where to find them" (PDF). RPM. Retrieved 14 July 2021.
  15. ^ Lwin, Nanda (2000). Top 40 Hits: The Essential Chart Guide. Music Data Canada. p. 50. ISBN 1-896594-13-1.
  16. ^ "Eurochart Hot 100" (PDF). Music & Media. 2 April 1994. p. 18. Retrieved 23 May 2023.
  17. ^ "Adult Contemporary Europe Top 25" (PDF). Music & Media. 9 July 1994. p. 25. Retrieved 28 May 2023.
  18. ^ "European Dance Radio Top 25" (PDF). Music & Media. 11 June 1994. p. 18. Retrieved 26 May 2023.
  19. ^ "THE BRAND NEW HEAVIES – DREAM ON DREAMER" (in German). Offiziellecharts.de. Retrieved 14 July 2021.
  20. ^ "Tipparade-lijst van week 25, 1994" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
  21. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100 20 March 1994 - 26 March 1994". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 14 July 2021.
  22. ^ "BRAND NEW HEAVIES". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 14 July 2021.
  23. ^ "Dance Singles" (PDF). Music Week. 26 March 1994. p. 24. Retrieved 12 July 2021.
  24. ^ "The RM Club Chart" (PDF). Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental Insert). 12 March 1994. p. 4. Retrieved 15 May 2023.
  25. ^ "The Brand New Heavies, HSI". Billboard. Retrieved 22 October 2021.
  26. ^ "The Brand New Heavies, BSI". Billboard. Retrieved 22 October 2021.
  27. ^ "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 1994". Billboard. Retrieved 22 October 2021.