Review: Each year 'This Is Toolroom' sets the tone for the British powerhouse's musical plans. Presented by London veteran (and Soul Purpose main man) Martin Ikin, this is an essential compilation to kick off a new decade, where you will discover essential cuts from label staples and newcomers alike across these 20 tracks - that cover the musical spectrum that Toolroom dubs its own. Highlights are not limited to: label boss Mark Knight kicking things off with the sultry and tribal vocal house anthem "Mona Lisa", the man himself Ikin contributing the funky house bomb "I'll Be" featuring Malika, Windy city legend Gene Farris bangs the party with the absolutely electric "Back In The Day" as well as the hosts of the label's last compilation Sllash & Doppe and Mendo, who serve up some seriously good vibes on "Back To The House" and "Give It To Me" respectively. As always, it comes with a continuous mix that's blended to perfection by Ikin.
Review: Following up July's Just Wanna EP on the mighty Toolroom, the Brighton-born/London-based rising star Maxinne Garman returns with another certified banger in the form of "The Message" a dubby and bass-driven main room weapon for any serious DJ wanting to make the transition to the peak time. With an equal dub techno influence (and with the added power of soulful vocals) is "Find A Way" next that's loaded directly off the factory floor in greyscale fashion and has an undeniable Berlin influence that's sure to get the heads down in the warehouse.
Review: Following up a terrific effort by ascendant Brit Ronnie Spiteri, and Athea's Japan inspired release, the Knee Deep In Sound powerhouse returns with another energetic outing - this time by London-based rising star Maxinne Garman. The Brighton-born DJ/producer has had a terrific run of releases on Toolroom in recent times, in addition to Criminal Hype and her own imprint Red Alert. Features the slinky and hypnotic groove of "Dusk Til Dawn", the moody tribal tech-house of "Everything I Need" (featuring Niki Darling) which receives a funky and low slung rework by Manchester hero Darius Syrossian. Additionally, New York City's Avision bridges the gap between Detroit and dub techno on his electrifying version of "Let It Ride".
Review: Toolroom deliver the 2021 instalment of their flagship 'This Is Toolroom' series, featuring a trio of collaborations from label chief Mark Knight, who with Siege delivers the funky house thriller "Give It Up", the peak time tribal tech house workout "Shift Phazed" (with Frederick & Kusse) and bridging the gap between the two styles on the riveting vocal-led closer "Only You" with Tuff London. Elsewhere, there's new music from label staples such as: Illyus & Barrientos & Danny Howard who throw down the main room energy of "Feel Ma Boogie" Rene Amesz who gets seriously deep on the low slung "Open Wide", plus the ever reliable Maxinne who teams up with Moya on the early noughties Statside house vibe of "In The Groove".
Review: Mark Knight & Co.round out the year with 'Best Of Toolroom 2020', a 50 track compilation delivering a collection of the label's biggest releases from the year that was into one package. Boss man Knight teams up with Rene Amesz on the year's most massive funky house tune "All 4 Love" (feat. Tasty Lopez) with other highlights coming from: Carl Cox on his stomping heads-down rework of Kevin Knapp & Hannah Wants "Call Me", the anthemic and utterly uplifting soul of legends Gene Farris & ATFC's "Spirit of House" plus the return of the legendary American vocalist Ann Nesby - whose unmistakable voice dominates LEFTI's "Rejuvenate". There's also the worthy addition of two continuous mixes by Mr Knight himself. 'Best Of Toolroom 2020' delivers the perfect annual sign off, as the label prepares for yet another landmark year in 2021.
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: On 'House Party Vol. 3' the party continues well into autumn with Toolroom's unmistakable blend of killer cuts, red hot exclusives and a host of essential tracks from the industry's leading imprints. Includes a whopping 80 tracks, plus three compiled mixes from current scene favourites such as Kittball co-owners Tube & Berger, Dutch house favourite Rene Amesz, and rising UK talent Iglesias. Highlights not limited to: boss man Mark Knight with the aforementioned Amesz on the funky house anthem "All 4 Love" (feat. Tasty Lopez), Hannah Wants & Eskuche serve up some slick and bouncy electro house on "The ISH", the dream team of Alex Mills, Danny Howard & Illyus & Barrientos delivering a properly soul-infused vocal epic on "Need" (Extended Mix) and the legend ATFC returns with the super sexy "Not Enough" feat. Mia Mendez.
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: Following up the 'T1'experiment back in 2015, Toolroom reboots the concept to celebrate their artists' talents and challenge them creatively. With many in isolation across the world, 'T2' will act to raise money for Covid-19 relief funds, with a percentage of profits going to charity. Much like the last edition - which was an album of new and exciting collabs from their label roster - label boss Mark Knight picked the collaborations totally at random during a Facebook Live broadcast, resulting in some 'out-of-the-box experiments and sure-fire bangers.' Highlights include: KC Lights who teams up with Kitball's Juliet Sikora on the soulful sax-driven shuffle of "Tonight", the man himself Mark Knight teaming up with Tuff London and Cagney & Lacey to bring back funky house with a vengeance on "Don't Give Up", while Romanian label staples Sllash & Doppe likewise turn in some late '90s styled filtered disco funk on "Burnin'" and the ascendant Maxinne teams up with Mizbee, Amine Edge & DANCE on the tough rolling main room stomper "What U Say".
Review: This is your 2020 edition of Toolroom House Party! Included in this red hot package are 20 brand new and exclusive cuts from the likes of: KC Lights who serves up the funked-up tribal groove of "You & Me", boss man Mark Knight once again heralding the return of good ol' fashioned funky house on "If It's Love" featuring Laura Davie & The Melody Men, legend Sharam Jey with Andruss & Bob Musella on the tough rolling tech funk of "Rise On My Soul" and man of the moment Shiba San getting deep down and dirty on "Runnin' Roll". Elsewhere, Saved head honcho Nic Fanciulli teams up with Black Circle on the spiritual afro house epic "Leap Of Faith", rising Berliners Mat.Joe give us the neon-lit energy of "Off Ma Mind" and you can bet that the ever reliable D. Ramirez makes a contribution (alongside label chief Knight) on the euphoric "Colombian Soul" which is remixed by label staples Sllash & Doppe. Plus, three super-hot DJ mixes from Dombresky, the aforementioned KC Lights & Ben Remember.
Review: With Miami Music Week 2020 now ticked over for another year there's been an inundation of compilations pointing us in to the best in tech house theatrics. Furtherstill, for the more discerning heads, there's Saved with their own mega selection: Collection H. See pounding burners from Groovebox in "Mr Hofman" to the undeniable rhythm tracks in Lorenzo De Blanck's over the top "Electric Body". Sultry and stripped backed minimal to be found in "Let Your Body Chill" to Boris Ross & Baggi's banging club hit "Hondo". Look to Hector Couto for your cooler house vibes ("Shawty") with bigger room numbers coming from Anthony Attalla, Daniel Orpi and Mendo. Ice canons please!
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: With releases this year coming from Athea, Huxley and Hot Since 82, Knee Deep In Sound has been a go to portal for contemporary house and techno-isms. This compilation lifts highlights from the label's 2019 catalogue and pool of artists with label owner Hot Since 82 leading the way with "You Are The Light". Contributing deeper trance elements and bouncing basslines is "Tilted" also, while other ndeniable house, dub techno and vocal numbers come from Maxinne, Miane and Freddie Frampton. And with 2020 still not here yet, Huxley too delivers a delectable percussive number in "Evolution".
