Staking its claim as an essential, thriving hub for both new and established talent, 2TUF4U has fully cemented its acclaimed standing since its inception in 2002. Created by chart-topping scene pioneer Karl ‘Tuff Enuff’ Brown, the celebrated UK imprint has always stayed true to its roots as a launching pad for the very best in eclectic underground UKG, 2-step, R&B, funky house and syncopated, broken beat gems. With the award-nominated Brown stepping away from DJing to pursue his spiritual path as a Minister, 2TUF4U continues to move with the times, supplying a fresh, modern take on the aforementioned genres whilst also dropping seminal, nostalgia-etched trips into the past from a phenomenal roster and back catalogue that includes the likes of El-Tuff (El-B & Brown), MJ Cole, Kele Le Roc, Madd Tuff Project, DJ Q, Gary Esson, CJ Reign, Krissi B, Soulecta and many more. Regular support has flown in from heavyweights DJ EZ and Todd Edwards, and a regular highlight - Groove Skool, a compilation made up of releases from budding producers enrolled at Brown’s production school - provides a new source of inspiration for artists all around the globe.
Review: As always with the 2TUF4U schedule, we have been gifted a rave-ready treat as we see a batch of tidy remix creations, celebrating the groovy nature of 'CoolThaMenta' from Suburban Science, a fiery release that packed an original punch to say the least. First up, Mo's Music Re-Edit delivers a sub heavy drive through bubbling drum skips and tidy horn samples, before Fresh II Waves gives the track a more lo-fi overhaul, focussing on floaty synthesis with good results. From here, New Ends sends us down a much more broken-beat approach with his overhaul, before DJ Dappa deploys a delightful display of syncopated percussion with another tidy rethink. Finally, the MRT Cool-Tempo mix unleashes a vibrant bounce of an original for us all to enjoy, focussing on 4x4 drums and smooth processing to round the box off in style.
Review: Next up, a fabulous collection of original garage-inspired flavour as we dive into this tasty four track collection under the title 'Fresh Joose'. We open up our journey with the bubbling production mastery of WEE2, who unleashes a vibrant combination of sweeping synthesiser plucks and sharpened 2-step drums in 'All Of My Dreams', followed closely by a vibrant link up between DJ ShockwavZ & 5-MOB, fusing their styles for the percussive-driven hops of 'Track'. From here, Toolz Of Da Trade arrives with a more broken-beat take on UKG as 'Break Into Heart' unveils a sub-heavy warbler, tied together with groovy organ chords to match, with the shuffling drum stutters and whistling harmonics of 'Take Some Time' from 4Stepz Ahead & Living Out Loud then closing out the project with a wholesome splash.
Review: As always, 2TUF4U have delivered a smooth collection of originals as they welcome Madd Tuff Project inside for a box of summer ready remixes, exploring the wider scale of the UKG sound in 2022. We open up with the official 'Confused Rebuilt O Dub' version of 'Faith Is My Fire', giving us a smooth backdrop of tidy chord progressions and moody bass hums, before ITonic delivers the 'Higher' remix, stripping the drums back into a much more old school backdrop, topped with catchy vocal slices to match. Finally, Stixy D gives us the final overhaul, again slowing the pace to focus on moody pad textures and distant chord progressions, giving us a smooth landing to round things off.
Review: Whenever we see the 2TUF4U banner waving above a new garage drop we are, quite rightfully filled with excitement. This latest collection of remixes for Beat Rivals & Lifford's 'Gotta Be Free' hold so much dancefloor potential, kicking off with the sumptuous Erick Nivar remix, stripped the track back into an emotive roller, perfect for a sunset set-time. Next, Jay Steel gets his hands on the project with a much more pad heavy creation, inducing old school rave elements and groovy bass twists to add a touch of energy to any dancefloor. Finally, Amy Stevens gives the track a much more Ibiza-style spin, focussing on glittering chord progressions and murky vocal processing to give us a trifecta of top quality reworks.
Review: We can safely say that 2TUF4U have had probably the most impressive start to the year of any garage label as they unveil their fourth, yes fourth release of January as they welcome Carpenter Man for the second 'Cut the Dub' EP project. We kick off with the nostalgic groove shakes and catchy vocal riffing of 'Only One', which takes us back to the early sounds of UKG, complete with a thunderous instrumental version. Craig James then arrives in good time for a dancefloor-ready switch up of 'Deep In My Soul', swimming in sumptuous pad action before 'Workin Overtime' unleashes some throwback organ runs and crunchy rhythms to round us off in style.
Review: Despite having a jam-packed year of tasty releases all over the shop, 2TUF4U have rustled up one last cracker for us to enjoy before the year is out, welcoming WEE2 inside for a groovy garage four track selection. We kick off with 'Gone To Long' giving us some serious smooth chords movements and laid back rhythms, before the catchy vocal slices and groovy UKG melodies of 'Lookin Back' send us somewhere completely different. The pace is then rapidly increased with 'Sweet Promises', a high pitched limb shaker, doused with more of those catchy vocal chops, before the 4x4 drum work and a vibrant soundscaping of 'Dreamz' sees the EP out in style. Lovely work.
Review: Now across the course of 2020, The team at 2TUF4U have been putting together some incredible garage releases, always managing to find a fabulous middle ground between the nostalgic side of UKG, alongside it's more futuristic flavours. Today we take in their brand new remix selection for Madd Tuff Project's 'Faith Is My Fire' original, featuring the magnificent vocals of Leanne Louise. Apart from numerous edits and acapella editions of the original track, we see the likes of MRT Houze, Para, Sovereign, Highrise and more all supply some scorching recreations. For us however, the two stand out remixes come from Krissi B and Fresh II Waves, with Krissi firstly blending the track into a moody, purple-sounding garage twist up, before Fresh's high tempo overhaul sends the track in a whole new sunshine-driven direction. This release also comes complete with a bonus track in 'Perfect Dub', a groovy leg-shaker and a pleasant addition to this already stacked tracklisting!
Review: The consistency we are seeing the 2TUF4U team apply to the UKG scene in recent weeks has been nothing short of outstanding, pulling together a number of high quality single and compilation releases, all of which have been received wonderfully. This latest drop sees them welcome back the ever-ready Gary Esson for a super choppy UKG nostalgia trip as 'G-Smooth' delivers a real throwback of a recording. Somewhere between the detuned vocal lines and skippy 2-stepping drum chops, we find ourselves engulfed with catchy sub melodies, making this one a real party starter for certain.
Review: We have been singing the praises of the 2TUF4U imprint for a fair few weeks now, but this latest release takes that to an entirely new level as they unveil a phenomenal 30 track selection featuring heavyweights such as Mad Tuff Project, Leanne Louise, Don Oliver, Kele Le Roc, Gary Esson, DIY and a tonne more. It's a pretty monumental project, showcasing the best of the combination between old and new UK garage in it's richest formats. Despite the tracklisting being super stacked, our highlights would have to include the dreamy landscapes of Undertone's Instant Mood Vocal mix of 'Let It Be' from Xavier, alongside Solution's Doctor dub mix of 'You', put together originally by the exceptional combo of Fully Loaded Project, Karl Brown & Todd Edwards. What a legendary compilation this really is.
Review: The 2TUF4U rampage continues to grow and expand across the realms of UK garage, with their latest offering come to us from Helen White, who delivers two tasty mixes of 'Say If You Want'. The first version we hear is the Statix 'Vocalized' mix, into which we hear an unusual, high-ended mix met with vibrant shuffle shakes and choppy vocal structures, encompassing that original UKG feeling. On the flip side we are also gifted the Statix 'Cut-N-Play Dub', which mashes together organic drum skips and lively chord melodies to unleash something truly spectacular.
Review: It's time to jump into a wonderful piece of nostalgia next as we head over to the 2TUF4U camp for a smooth remix creation from D.I.Y. He takes on Gary Esson's 'Take Care Of You' for a vibrant rethink, deploying a well selected array of vocal pops and chops amidst a sea of groovy drum work and smooth sub-lines to match. Overall, this one takes us back a couple of years, especially when that lead rave synthesizer hits home, what a fun throwback it is!
Review: We honestly feel that the world may well be sleeping on the quality that 2TUF4U have been continuously producing, as they here unleash yet another crunchy garage original to decimate the dances around the country. Enter: Gary Esson, a West-Midland based producer whose uniquely groovy approach to UKG has seen him gain support from legendary figures such as Todd Edwards and DJ EZ. This new single is a perfect example of why as 'Something Good' lets fly an array of catchy melodic riffs, bouncy 4x4 drum selections and expertly dispatched vocal chops, all coming together to brew a certified belter.
Review: We have a very tasty selection here to sink our teeth into as 2TUF4U continue a highly successful run of original UKG drops. This latest offering comes to us from garage heavyweights Groove Skool, a production outfit known for their incredibly vibrant arrangements and colourful melodic structures, always delivering a scrumptious final product. This collection sees them lay down twelve bumping originals, with guest features including DJ Shockwavz, Craig James, Carpenter Man, Gravy Groovers and more, all adding their own unique elements to the blend with some fantastic vocal sprinklings. For us, the highlights have to include the laid-back yet super catchy twists of 'Say Yeah', featuring the wonderful Ten Levels, along with the old school shuffling chops of 'Burning Up' alongside 2Fuddha and of course the dancefloor ready chord movements of 'Inner Groove', featuring additional work from DJPS. It's a wicked selection to say the least, as 2TUF4U deliver yet again!
Review: The garage fever is seemingly not going anywhere as we carry on with the massive expansion of the genre into a brand new decade. One of our favourites here at Juno Download is most definitely CJ Reign, a producer whose consistency and originality really does see him rise to the top of the pile more often than not. We here see him land on 2TUF4U for a very tidy remix EP, as Sole Masters Inc, Odin Hardt & GG provide us with some sumptuous remixes of 'Gonna Fly'. Each remix is fantastic in it's own right, but the vibrant flavours and harmonic structures of Sole Masters Inc's re-think is a real standout on this one!
Review: As ever with the fantastic 2TUF4U imprint, we have been gifted with a slice of UKG magnificence, with the illustrious Karl Brown Of Tuff Jam joining us for a super experimental three track piece. From start to finish, this EP really draws off a nostalgic use of dynamics, with tracks having numerous volume switch ups all the way through, beginning with the super choppy drum thumps of 'Intro Special'. Next, we surge into the Klub edit mix of 'So Good', again using crunchy grooves and organ chords to bring a classic garage vibe, before we land on the warm, fuzzy arrangement of 'Get Up'. Following this we dive into the two additions from Dub Jamz , who provides more old school tastings in high tempo drum grooves of 'Unity Theme', before rounding off the project on the chord-heavy progressions of 'I Don't Know.
Review: Karl 'Tuff Enuff' Brown's 2TUF4U bring us their fourth value-packed various artists EP in a little over year. Once again, the 16 tracks are all the work of aspiring producers who've attended Brown's Groove Skool production college, so it's no surprise that vintage UKG vibes are the order of the day. We're largely headed back to that time circa 1995-1996 when the UK style was starting to emerge (and before speed garage came along), with organs, skippy beats and Todd Edwards-style vocal cut-ups much in evidence, though there are exceptions - see the dubstep/grime-style bassline on 'Deep Enuff', or the sparse, UK funky-esque 'One Last Chance'.
Review: Karl 'Tuff Enuff' Brown's 2TUF4U ("too tuff for you") label bring us this old skool-sounding jam which harks back to the late 80s/early 90s glory days of New Jersey garage. A complex, analogue-sounding synth bassline and raw-edged 4/4s provide the musical backbone for the track, with the diva-style female vocal layed over the top in both full sung and cut-up forms - simultaneously, which is an interesting touch. As the track progresses, sax parps, vibes and synth-strings drift in and out of the mix to maintain dancefloor/listener interest, shining through most clearly on the accompanying Instrumental, which also brings the beats further to the fore.
Review: It's a very exciting time to be a part of the UKG scene at the moment, as we see an enormous rise in the output of multiple labels and producers, the latest of which comes to us from 2TUF4U who push forward the latest album project from CJ Reign, a garage head who is receiving a lot of well deserved praise. The album is a real lesson in expanding a genre, as we see a full range of UKG on display, from the clever, clicky compositional structures of 'Falling Into You' and '2-4-7', to the more classic 2-step vibes of 'Broken' and more. For us the standout on this one has to be the super creative reesey twists of 'Certificated Day', which keeps us guessing from start to finish.
Review: It's now time to strip everything back to the original old school garage essence here as George Wilson lands neatly on 2TUF4U for a fantastic new single. Through a combination of groovy, steadily expanding organ runs and super skippy drum textures, we are greeted with 'Smile'. This one is really made by the lead vocal, which takes classic UKG movements and slices as it is dashed around the high end of the mix, with those pleasing choppy drums causing havoc below. This one also comes complete with a very tasty instrumental version, making it a must-have for the mix and blend.
Review: Garage, garage and more garage, that's what we want to hear and that is exactly what this new project from 2TUF4U offers. AKB sets the pace from the beginning with a very nostalgic composition, full of hidden grooves and exciting twists, giving Alice Amelia a perfect bed over which she can lay her angelic vocal structures. We are gifted some seriously saucy remixes as the DJQ meets Classified remix leads the way, packed with high energy bass pumps. Following this, Base Z gives the track a more niche feel, before Caution gets very busy with his 'Android Switch 3 In 1 Rub'.
Review: Did somebody say newschool UKG? Well, we have it in flavourful abundance here as Drama steps out on the 2Tuf4U imprint for a groovy little hip shaker by the name of 'Let It Go'. This one begins in classic garage form with stripped back drum selections descending into affected vocal shakes pre breakdown. Once we hit the drop we are engulfed in summer flavours as moody chord progressions and organ lines take the lead role, We are also gifted an even funkier 'Tuff Re-Mas' edit, perfect for injecting a bit of life into a dance at any time.
Review: Who doesn't love a fresh dosage of newschool garage? We think you would have to be mad to not indulge in this brand new four track selection from Karl Brown, Paul Benjamin and Lifford as they bring together the 4 Klubz EP. The lead single goes by the name of 'Deep Down Inside' and is an instant garage heater, dancing between skippy percussive layers and chilling atmospheric chord injections. This one comes complete with a collection of three top draw reworks, with Track of Time leading the way, flipping the original onto it's head for a smooth roller. Following this, Troy Brown refixes the recording into a punchier creation, with T & D running riot with their soulful overhaul.
Review: It's billed as an EP, but with 12 tracks and at over an hour in length, you could just as well call this an album. It's the third collection of works put together by pupils at Karl 'Tuff Enuff' Brown's music school, so it's no surprise that UK/speed garage influences are to the fore: cuts like 'Bass Scat' and 'On My Mind' could have beamed straight in from the late 90s, and skippy beats, chopped-up vox and organ snips abound throughout, with tracks ranging from the Todd Edwards-isms of 'Frisky' to the dark, ominous 'The Step', which harks back to the birth of dubstep and grime.
Review: Exciting UKG flavour approaches ok this one as Groove Skool get into the blend with Lee Hewitt for a very smooth new summer single. In classic garage fashion, 'Waiting' treats us to dizzying grooves coupled with unpredictable percussive patterns, dusted off with bouncy bass design and perfectly placed vocal slices. It's got the rhythm, it's got the melodies, it's got everything you would want from an original 2 stepper, complete with both a dub mix and a full instrumental mix for all your party needs!
Craig James & Karl Brown - "Far Away" - (5:50) 126 BPM
Right 4 Me - (5:45) 132 BPM
Craig James & Karl Brown - "Get Me" - (5:58) 132 BPM
Take Me Up - (5:36) 132 BPM
Review: With the scorching summer sun in full effect, Craig James has timed his return to perfection, putting together a super vibey UKG four tracker, designed to refresh the terraces around the country. We kick off with vibrant flavours of 'Far Away' in collaboration with Karl Brown before slipping into the super colourful patterns on 'Right 4 Me'. Next up we roll into Karl Brown's second collaboration appearance on the mega bouncy 'Get Me' before finishing the EP up on the old school organ chords and vocal stabs of 'Take Me Up'. Grab the barbecues and set up your sound system for this one!
Review: Groove Skool are back with the second edition of their 'Nu Grooves' EP series and we can confirm that is truly jam packed with incredible rhythms and summer slammers. As far as large scale garage projects go, it's been a long time since we heard a project this size boast such consistency start to finish, with tracks such as 'Sylvester's Groove' slapping you with nostalgic bliss and 'Crown Joule' providing a more subtle field of play. There's something for everyone for certain, with other highlights including the impeccable 'So We Sing' featuring Ilya, the super bouncy 'Something' in collaboration with Duncan Powell and of course 'My Hurt Goes On' with the awesome Keith Boon, working them into a classic UKG melody. Fantastic stuff!
Review: Who doesn't love a bit of classic UK Garage? This release is perfect for any old school UKG nut as Livin Out Loud's modern classic 'Lately' receives five fantastic reworks, each as vibrant as the last. We start of with Ski's 'Super Switch Dub' which strips the production back to melodic vocal stabs, crunchy drums and smooth chord arrangements. Pure Statix follows this with his 'Klubb Grooves mix', mellowing out the arrangement thoroughly for a smooth ride. As well as this, CJ Reign and The Undertones provide soulful reworks whilst The Househoundz steer the composition down a darker alley.
