Review: Damian Lazarus' Crosstown Rebels imprint has been bringing some consistent quality over the last months, with releases by drum & bass legend DJ Krust and most recently Audiojack and Kevin Knapp's "These Days" which came with a killer remix by Pearson Sound. The label is now into the fourth edition in the SPIRITS compilation series, with highlights coming from Radio 1 legend Pete Tong teaming up with Italian tech house producer Alex Kennon on the slinky groove of "Apache", the ever reliable Francesca Lombardo with the mesmerising cosmic dancefloor journey "Freak On Sea" as well as Los Angelno pair Lubelski & Xkylar with the afterhours minimal shuffle of "Passion Fruits" and the Minus affiliated Matador with the lurking bass and moody atmospherics of "Vulture" - plus many more.
Review: Despite the setbacks brought forth by the pandemic, we're confident that Toolroom will still have a stellar year as always! With that in mind, the fifth edition in their 'House Party' series' looks to be the biggest yet, with a whopping 70 tracks to keep the party going for days on end. As a bonus, label signees such as Wankelmut, TCTS and Siege (who appear with contributions to the compilation personally) provide a continuous mix each - bringing the party to your house. Other highlights come from a wide variety of artists within the tech/house spectrum such as: legends Technasia and Green Velvet with the aforementioned Siege on the mighty "Suga" (Siege extended mix), the ascendant Luxembourger Amii Watson with the sensual mood music of "Higher" and the Fuse London affiliated Rich NxT teaming up with minimal techno vetran Christian Burkhardt on the slinky and hypnotic "Basics" - plus many more.
Review: An outlet for both unreleased and exclusive music from the label's family members alongside rising talents, this is the fourth instalment of Toolroom's popular 'House Party' series. Featuring standout releases from Mark Knight's label plus the scene's biggest imprints, with highlights coming from: industry heavyweights Nic Fanciulli & Andrea Oliva on the slinky "Medium Rare", the inimitable Yousef with the pounding acid of "Save Me" (feat. Molly Green), legend Todd Terry with TCTS on the boompty bounce of "Get Freaky" and UK tech house hero Seb Zito delivering the peak time stomper "Don't Stop". As if that was not enough, there are also three continuous mixes by scene stalwarts such as Lefti, Piero Pirupa and label staple Maxinne.
Review: Toolroom is back with the second instalment of the 'House Party' series, with Chicago veteran Gene Farris, the enigmatic Wh0 and ascendant duo Raumakustik closing out the summer in style with their respective mixes. Featuring 80 tracks from leading international names including Carl Cox who goes for a minimal vibe on his remix of Hannah Wants & Kevin Knapp's "Call Me", Hot Since 82 serves up something different than usual on the summertime vibe of "Rise", Saved chief Nic Fanciulli gets some spiritual and life-affirming vibes in effect on "Virgo", Hamburg disco stu Tensnake gives Dombresky & Boston Bun's "Stronger" a neon-lit makeover and label boss Mark Knight impresses with the funky house anthem "Tonight" ft. Chenai and Mr. V.
Review: Toolroom's compilations have soundtracked Miami's Winter Music Conference for more than a decade and this is no exception. Here they've drafted in three of their key artists to compile the album: Friend Within, Leftwing : Kody & Siege - who all take you on a journey through the various shades of house and techno. Highlights include: Siege's remix of legend Green Velvet's massive "Bigger Than Prince, boss man Mark Knight's electrifying rework of C.O.T.'s "Let It Go" into a uplifting house anthem, Dutchman Franky Rizardo cool as a cucumber on the smooth groove of "X Marks The Spot" through to veteran west coast producer Miguel Migs returning to the spotlight with the ultra deep "Moving Light" feat. Lisa Shaw and the comeback of Canadian legend Hatiras on the slinky and hypnotic remix of Sammy Deuce's "EZY". From certified main room essentials to sun-kissed poolside vibes, capture the magic of Miami Music Week with 'Toolroom Miami 2020'.
Review: Danny Howard's Nothing Else Matters welcomes Swiss DJ and producer Andrea Oliva to the label with a hard-hitting club cut. Over the last decade, Oliva has released music on some of the biggest labels including Relief, Saved, elrow, Truesoul and Hot Creations to name but a few. "Dancing, No Sleep" is a funky and tough rolling cut that references classic house motifs and features an infectious vocal loop throughout. Label boss Howard's remix is more straight ahead; a deeper and functional tech house remodel that's aimed squarely at the dancefloor like the original - and sure guaranteed to cause a sweat!
Review: Swiss DJ/producer Andrea Oliva continues on his winning streak of hot releases, following up efforts on top labels like Desolat, Hot Creations, Dirtybird and Relief. His latest effort comes courtesy of Seth Troxler's Play It Say It and comes with a superb remix by The Martinez Brothers. The title track is a heated serving of groovy acid house mayhem that's aimed squarely at the main room dancefloor at peak time. The aforementioned remix by New York City's favourite sons goes down a much darker route - a heads down affair geared for going harder when the strobe light comes on - but still utilising those cheeky rap vocals to impressive effect.
Review: Swiss tech house hero Andrea Olivia is back, after some killer releases on Hot Creations, Relief Records and Cuttin' Headz. This new stomper has found a fitting home within Loco Dice's esteemed stable Desolat, and it is named "Rosa".With its tough rolling and intoxicating groove thats unanashamedly sdriven by a fat bassline, this one is enough to make even Claude Vonstroke and Co. stand up and notice. Remix duties come from ascendant German producer Adriyano who gives the track and rough and dusty makeover that has fast become the signature of his popular sound.
Review: Star producer Andrea Oliva is back on Jamie Jones' always reliable imprint, with a brand new set of sturdy tech house numbers sure to rock the house. This release following up some tough grooves on Circus, Saved and Rawthentic. In typical Hot Creations style "Upside Down" is aimed squarely at the main room dancefloor and bounces away in near bombastic fashion, to get the crowd into the zone a bit earlier in the night "Piano Not Piano" works a treat with its dubby and hypnotic elements, as does "Sound Like That" with its use of strong swing and its catchy vocal refrain.
Review: Alongside the likes of yourself, you can bet that Mark Knight & Co. will be also be a known presence at Amsterdam Dance Event in 2018 and indeed they'll be well prepared with the appropriate tools - as this killer compilation proves. Highlights on this annual edition come from Maceo Plex - whose remix of "Nervous Tics" (feat Holly Walker) by hot British duo Maribou State takes you to the dark side, label chief Knight's massive rework of Sterling Void's eternal anthem "It's Alright" (feat Paris Brightledge) will surely get the hands in the air, as will Adesse Versions' edit of legend Kerri Chandler's "The Boom Can" and many others over the collection's five dozen tracks. To take you through every part of your trip, the album comes complete with three perfectly crafted and perfectly primed mixes.
