At the magnificent Howard Assembly Room, Nightmares on Wax and DJ E.A.S.E delivered an unforgettable tribute to the late Chris Dawkins.
Chris was founding member and late session player for Nightmares on Wax. This was a night filled with warmth, soul and deep musical reverence.
From the opening moments, the atmosphere carried a sense of reflection and celebration. Tracks including Night Interlude, Dread Overboard, Damn, Sweeter, Ethnic Majority, You and Me and Rise sounded immense in the historic hall, each one reminding the audience of Dawkins’ unmistakable musical fingerprint.
Chris Dawkins was known for a rich blend of soul, jazz and hip hop that helped define a generation of downtempo music. Across his career, he collaborated with artists such as Maurice Fulton, Jimi Tenor and Corinne Bailey Rae, while also creating deeply personal work alongside long-time collaborators Leigh Kenny and Wulls. Albums including Hero’s Journey, Painting Colours and Rastanaut showcased a producer whose music always carried emotion, groove and spiritual depth.
Of course, Dawkins will forever be closely linked to the formative years of Nightmares on Wax, helping shape the evolving sound of DJ E.A.S.E during the early 90s on landmark releases such as Smokers Delight and Car Boot Soul. Hearing elements of that era revisited live was genuinely moving.
The emotional centre of the evening came through the reunion of the original Nightmares on Wax line-up, DJ E.A.S.E, Isaac Heywood, Hamlet Luton, Sarah Garvey, Rhianna Kenny and Dan Goldman brought together at the invitation of Hamlet, one of Chris’ closest friends. Their chemistry, affection and shared history radiated throughout the performance.
More than simply a concert, this was a celebration of friendship, creativity and lasting influence. Chris Dawkins’ spirit was present in every bassline, every groove and every moment of connection between stage and audience. A beautiful and deeply heartfelt night.
Main image: Chris Dawkins.
