Review: Gee Labe won plenty of plaudits for his Toy Tonics label debut, 'Metamorphosis', when the EP dropped back in October 2023. Hopes are naturally high then for the Barcelona-based Venezuelan's speedy sequel. She hits the ground running with Mabreezee hook-up 'Monkeys', where squelchy synth-bass, dreamy chords and even more soulful vocals wrap around an extra-percussive mid-tempo house groove. New York combo Musclecars join forces with Kamaal to deliver vocal and instrumental takes that successfully re-cast the track as a slab of broken beat/Italian dream house fusion. Completing a fine package is bonus cut 'The Fourth', where Lane rushes off on a 1989 style piano-sporting, breakbeat-driven house tip.
Review: Last time we heard from Toy Tonics boss Kapote (real name Matthias Modica), he was offering up a updated and reworked version of his 2019 debut album, What It Is. 'Electric Slide', his latest EP, showcases his first all-new original solo music for almost five years. Our pick of the bunch is energetic opener 'The Party', a percussion rich romp rich in heady party atmos, densely layered drums, addictive electric piano hooks and a propulsive bassline. Naturally, there's plenty to set the pulse racing elsewhere across the EP, from the subtly proto house-influenced, hands-in-the-air joy of 'The See Me' and the thickset deep disco house flex of 'The Come On', to the kaleidoscopic nu-disco elasticity of 'The Slide'.
Review: After a run of rather impressive releases late last decade - including a fine album on Dekmantel - Stump Valley ceased releasing music around the time of the Pandemic. Here the Italian-Ukrainian duo return to action via a Toy Tonics label debut. They begin in confident fashion via Ready In LED hook-up 'Everytime', a suitably sunny, piano-and-organ rich slab of early '90s Italo-house revivalism topped up with lusciously loved-up vocals, before joining forces with vocalist L Renee on the mid-90s MIK-influenced garage-house excellence of 'A Bun Dance'. To complete the package, we're treated to some kaleidoscopic and melodious deep house joy ('Lunatica') and instrumental mixes of 'Everytime' and 'A Bun Dance'.
Review: It's easy to forget, nearly 30 years on, just how big an impact DJ Sneak's raw, jacking, cut-up style had on the house scene when he first emerged back in the mid-90s. But it did - and to his credit he's stuck to his guns ever since, building a multi-decade career based almost entirely on what is known to house connoisseurs as "that tracky shit". It's fair to say there are no great surprises here, then: you either dig Sneak's style or you don't, and I seriously doubt he gives a damn either way. In this writer's book, the man's a stone-cold don, and this six-tracker is going straight in the (virtual) box.
Review: Hot on the heels of their self-titled debut LP, a riot of punk-funk, mutant synth-pop and post-punk dancefloor workouts, Amsterdam outfit Baby's Beserk have been given the remix treatment. It's an interesting and highly entertaining collection all told, with Nikolas Wandt's inspired 80s Italo-goes-acid house revision of 'Eat Your Dollar' being followed by an excitable 80s electrofunk style interpretation of 'Rum 'N' Kola' courtesy of label regular Sam Ruffillo and a throbbing dark synth-pop re-wire of 'Rum 'N' Kola' by Each Other. To round off the EP, Kris Baha goes all angular, analogue and new wave on a stylish version of 'Glassy Towers', while Nicolini provides a delightfully low-slung, dub disco-meets-punk funk tweak of 'Eat Your Dollar'.
Review: South Londoners Athlete Whippet find their way back to Toy Tonics following a collaborative drop with Amy Dabbs on Aus Music earlier this year. Turning in something polished and produced with soaring synth lines, massive walking basslines and 909 kick drums with weight, "Release Me" features beautiful, multilayered vocals by Allysha Joy, known for her solo work on labels like Gondwana and First Word but also for being the voice of Australian cult outfit 30/70. Cut from a similar cloth is "U Look At Me" with its vocal hook, live synthstrumentation and starry arpeggios. Known for exploring the more playful side of house music and those genres around it - Athlete Whippet's serve the tonic.
Review: Toy Tonics' latest release is a captivating collection of tracks originally introduced to the world via the German Gomma Records label during the years 2001 to 2010. Back then, Gomma stood as a pivotal figure in the Y2K indie dance movement, alongside luminaries such as James Murphy's DFA and Trevor Jackson's OUTPUT Records. Toy Tonics has taken it upon themselves to revive these early 2000s gems, with tracks encapsulating the raw, indie disco and punk-funk vibes that were the lifeblood of the party scene during those vibrant days. Gomma's influence was profoundly felt in off-location clubs like SCALA and RIO in Berlin, London's TRASH and 333 parties, to iconic Parisian clubs like Kill The DJ and Paris Social Club.
Review: Toy Tonics may be renowned for delivering delicious deep house and kaleidoscopic nu-disco, but the label is not averse to mixing things up - as their championing of Baby's Beserk, a contemporary four-piece inspired by a mixture of 1980s new wave, 90s indie-dance and post-punk posturing, emphatically proves. The band's self-titled debut album does a great job in setting out their sonic vision, where stylised male and female vocals rise above a mixture of low-slung bass guitar, sharp analogue synth sounds, delay-laden drums, proto-house pianos, woozy drum machine rhythms and dark, clandestine electronic textures. It sounds like it could have been made at some point between 1979 and '83, which of course is entirely the point, but with enough freshness to dispel any thoughts of hollow nostalgia or 21st century revivalism.
Review: It's hard to find a more original mid-west American sound than that of the don Kai Alce. Responsible for the NDATL Muzik label, and with records on FXHE and Mahogani Music across his career - he now lands in mainland Europe for a fully fledged release on Munich originating label Toy Tonics! Getting wavey with Rhodes and synthy sax in "Slide It In", Alce keeps it spacey, jazzy and sketchy in "Space Skat N Dat". Dryer keys make it to the front of some shuffling percussion in "New Life Livin", with heavier deep house vibes landing in "Rough Sands". And for that bonus rhythm section, check out the instrumental that is "Strollin Thru Barcelona".
Review: Toy Tonics' self-explanatory 'Top Tracks' compilations are not only a great way of keeping track of what the label has been up to over the previous 12 months, but also a superb source of guaranteed floor-fillers and underground anthems. Volume 11 in the series is naturally packed to the rafters with high-grade treats, with our picks of a super-strong bunch including the sun-soaked disco-not-disco brilliance of Art of Tones' remix of Sam Ruffillo's rap-sporting Italian house gem 'Mind & Soul', the bumpin', mid-90s NYC house style excellence of 'Work 2 It' by Sound Support, the low-slung, jazz-funk tinged brilliance of Kapote's 'The Body Move', a thrillingly bouncy Dan Shake rub of his Cody Currie collaboration, 'Cash', and Esa's melodious, early '90s South African house-inspired 'Club Dub' of his own 'Brigada', featuring Barbara Boeing.
Review: Julian Marks and Robin Townshend, the duo behind the Gome project, are back on Toy Tonics with a new EP. The EP features the title track, "Elevator Man", which is a wonderfully warming and infectious chunk of samba-tinged deep house/Balearic nu-disco fusion. The track is piled high with attractive synth sounds, loose-limbed Latin house drums, and evocative spoken word vocals. Mike Dunn and Telephones take their turn to revisit "Elevator Man" with some big remixes. Mike Dunn's remix is a rolling, piano-sporting Chicago deep house tweak, while Telephones' remix is a kaleidoscopic take that joins the dots between vintage Italian dream house and tactile Balearic house. The Gome EP is a must-have for fans of deep house, Balearic nu-disco, and anything in between.
Review: Guiseppe Fimiani may be best known for his excellent re-edits as BPlan, but he's also released original material under that alias too. Here, though, he's decided to release music under his given surname for the first time, pitching up on Toy Tonics with an EP that joins the dots between American, Latin and Italian house sounds of the 1990s. This hybrid sound is exemplified by the piano-powered, Spanish vocal-sporting peak-time deep house release of opener 'Believe In Yourself' and the salsa-soaked joy of 'Amore Latino', where fluid piano solos ride a chunky house groove. Elsewhere, 'Melana' is a more percussion-laden excursion with live bass and a breathy, 'Sueno Latino' style spoken word vocal, 'Jungle Trouble' is a fine fusion of booming bass, bustling beats and sparkling piano riffs, and 'Vita Lenta' is a pitched-down, jazz-funk influenced disco jam.
Review: Following a string of collaborative EPs, Kosmo Kint goes solo to deliver a debut album piled high with effortlessly soulful vocals and colourful, synth-powered musicality. Of course, joint productions still feature - Sam Ruffilo makes his presence felt on two tracks (including the sparkling deep house synth-soul of 'Invincible', which also features Kapote), while Zac Tenebaum stamps his authority on 'Magic' and 'The Formula' - but there are far more solo works amongst our bulging list of album highlights. These include the deep, drowsy and soulful two-step garage brilliance of 'Only Gets Better', the seductive R&B/neo-soul wonder of 'Happy Ever After' and the subtly disco-influenced vocal house of 'Fake Love'.
Review: Don't be misled by the title here... this EP from Curitiba-based Barbara Boeing proudly displays her Brazilian musical heritage for sure, but wishy-washy sambas and lounge-y bossa novas are conspicuous by their absence, with all of the EP's three tracks and five mixes rooted firmly in house music. Opener 'Brigada', for instance, pairs shakers and maracas to a hefty dark garage organ line, then gets sprinkled liberally with piano. 'Brasiliana' itself is a dreamier affair with something of an 'E2-E4'/'Sueno Latino' kinda feel, before 'Bailo De Silencio' marries exuberant sax to pounding drum machine beats that nod to favela funk.
Review: Cody Currie has established himself in the music scene with notable labels such as Razor N Tape, Classic, Shall Not Fade, and Toy Tonics. His Lucas LP from last year showcased his talent, and now the label has released a feel-good remix package featuring renowned artists. Dan Shake's remix of "Cash" delivers a tough-bumpin' version, while Sam Ruffillo and Kapote amp up the funky elements of the track. Following is the British multi-instrumentalist Kaidi Thatham delivering a soul-charged rendition of "Money," while Jamie 3:26 takes the track deeper with a sweet Moog bassline that is sure to get the crowd grooving.
Review: Lorenz Rhode and Dam Swindle's Lars Dale have joined forces to create Sound Support, a brand new collaborative project. Their debut release is a must-have for house music enthusiasts, featuring an impressive collection of peak-time ready tracks that will get you moving. The title track, 'Higher,' seamlessly blends chunky disco-house loops with warm, jazzy-funk flavors, reminiscent of the Sound Stream era. 'Bump Into You' is a stirring disco-house anthem with an epic string arrangement that's just waiting to take center stage. 'Work 2 It' offers a nostalgic, bassline-driven, warehouse-ready track that will transport you back in time. 'The Rock' rounds off the release with a fusion of boogie synths, electro-funk basslines, deep house chords, and rolling drums.
Review: It's not often that a popular album returns in lightly tweaked and re-edited form, but that's exactly what's on offer here. The original 2019 version of Kapote's debut album, 'What It Is', was a genuine gem, but this 'lightly reworked' new edition is, we believe, even better. For proof, checked the hushed, TB-303 sporting jazz-funk-goes-loop-house flavours of 'Jaas Func Haus'' the carnival-ready, electric-piano sporting dancefloor sunshine of 'Brasiliko', the bouncy and loose-limbed excellence of 'Salvation' (whose rubbery bassline is an addictive delight), the organic 21st century jazz-funk-goes-electrofunk headiness of 'Fusion 79' and the wonderfully warming organic house delight that is 'LOVE'.
Review: Italian house and disco producer Sam Ruffillo has three EPs for Toy Tonics under his belt, and now here come the remixes of 2022's 'Brooklyn Tapes'. The standout for yours truly is Art Of Tones' Extended Remix of 'Mind & Soul', which tops a jaunty, nagging keys riff with a Tyree Cooper-esque rap vocal, while Eli Escobar's take on 'Just Fine' vaguely recalls the more soulful end of UKG circa 1999. But in Ruffillo's own words, "these tracks are house and electronic funk but they're also rap, R&B and disco," so if any of that sounds like your bag, dive on in!
Review: We generally shy away from tipping artists for great things - it can be a curse - but it's a safe bet to say that Sam Ruffillo will make an impact in 2023. The young Italian producer has not a put foot wrong on his earlier releases, and this expansive EP - which further defines a trademark sound that blends references to classic Italian and American house with nods to jazz-funk, broken beat, soul and boogie - is his best work yet. There are original and instrumental mixes of four cuts: the boogie bass and kaleidoscopic house colour of 'Just Fine', the electrofunk-meets-Italo-disco excellence of 'Mind & Soul (Italo Version)'. Elsewhere, Ash Lauryn turns unreleased cut 'Don't Think Twice' into a subtly disco-tinged deep house body-warmer, while Art of Tones delivers two passes on 'Mind & Soul' - a glistening, sun-bright vocal version that sounds like a classic Dave Lee production, and an equally as impressive, vocal-free Dub Mix.
Review: Kapote and Kosmo Kint's various collaborative tracks on Toy Tonics are all top-drawer, so hopes are naturally high for his epic, action-packed remix EP. The headline reworks come from Detroit deep house legend Andres, who delivers vocal and instrumental takes on 'Misbehave' that place Kint's slick, soulful lead vocal atop an attractive bed of rubbery bass guitar, crunchy mid-tempo house drums, lilting lead lines and colourful chords. Elsewhere, Tom Jarmey offers a funky, shuffling, post-electro nu-disco rework of the same track, while Coeo drops vocal and instrumental versions of two distinctive mixes of 'Strangers': a rolling, retro-futurist 'House' take (all fluid and jazzy synth bass, sustained synth-strings and warming electric piano riffs) and a 'Garage Mix' underpinned by an Armand Van Helden style 'dark garage' bassline.
Review: Cody Currie has been a rising star for some time, so it's about time he released a significant sonic statement. Hotly anticipated debut album Lucas is just that: a musically expansive, collaboration-heavy full-length that neatly showcases his distinctive blends of deep house, disco, jazz-funk, broken beat and soul. It's a hugely impressive and enjoyable set all told, with our picks including the organic, spoken word-sporting bruk-up business of 'Voyage' (with Andreas Kon and Ally McMahon), deep and dope slow jam 'That Slick', breezy piano-house goes organic soul number 'Cash' (with MiK), the Kaidi Tatham-esque 'D?j? vu', sturdy vocal house number 'Danger' (with Eliza Rose) and squelchy, synth-sporting deep house bubbler 'Night Visions'.
Review: This is an undeniably epic selection of remixes of cuts from Kosmo Kint's Toy Tonics releases, some of which are eye-catching collaborations. The headline-grabbing reworks come from US house legend David Morales, who serves up three different revisions of Sam Ruffilo and Kapote collab 'Invincible': a classic sounding, piano-laden house revision; the deeper and smoother 'NYC Remix' and a vocal free instrumental version of his main mix. Elsewhere, Atjazz provides extended and instrumental takes on his joyously jazzy, analogue-rich collaboration with Kint ('Too Big'), while The Checkup mix of 'What Love Can Do' is a rolling, atmospheric, sub-heavy deep house delight. Finally, Kai Alce provides a suite a rubs of his Kint collaboration, 'Feel Love', with the jazzy, sun-splashed 'Dub' mix our pick of a very strong bunch.
Review: One-man musical whirlwind Felipe Gordon has been one of the deep house sensations of the last few years, notching up a formidable catalogue of subtly jazz-funk flavoured treats for all manner of labels. This EP for Toy Tonics marks something of a departure for the talented Colombian, as it marks the first time he's worked with a vocalist - fellow countryman Daniel Pardo AKA Bob The Egotist. The latter makes a big impression on title track 'Freedom', a weighty, wobble-bass propelled chunk of ultra-atmospheric, '90s-influenced deep house brilliance. The other four tracks on the EP are equally as impressive to be honest, with highlights including the flute-sporting, deliciously percussive 'Don't Try It', the shuffling, jazz-funk flavoured mid-tempo warmth of 'Time' (featuring marc Bianco) and the Georg Levin-esque brilliance of 'Expandable'.
Review: He may only have released a handful of tracks and one EP but rising star Sam Ruffillo has yet to put a foot wrong during his so far short career. Predictably, the Bologna-based producer has hit the mark yet again with this sequel to his debut EP Italianissimo, which landed earlier in the year. Particularly potent is opener 'Chiamami Subito', a hard-wired fusion of gritty funk, righteous disco and hands-aloft piano house that's as celebratory and sweaty as they come. Elsewhere, '80 Voglia di Calcio' is a bouncy, squelchy and atmospheric affair in which Ruffillo blurs the boundaries between jazz-funk, boogie and classic U.S deep house, while BPlan collaboration 'Mediterranea' is a sun-soaked slab of summery house perfection that comes complete with carnival-ready horns and a suitably seductive vocal.
Review: We can't tell you who Magou is - which may be frustrating since the producer's debut 12" on Toy Tonics two years ago caused a bit of a stir - but we do know that it's an alternative alias of an otherwise well-known and highly regarded Italian artist. Regardless of who's being the project, this highly anticipated debut album certainly ticks a lot of boxes. Opener 'Round Round', for example, joins the dots between Nu Guinea style Balearic jazz-funk and mid '80s Hugh Masekela records, while 'Eko' adds a little acid wiggle to breezy proto piano-house (while also including some subtle samples from a 1980s classic). This kind of kaleidoscopic, boundary-blurring fusion continues throughout, with other highlights including the Balearic dub disco of 'Dejarte', the loved-up Nu-Italo of 'Pas Jolie' and the loopy deep disco-house of 'Sample Dream'.
Review: Thanks to a righteous debut EP that brilliantly joined the dots between Moroder style machine-disco and shirts-off Italo-disco, hopes are sky-high for this speedy sequel from rising star Gome (real name Stefan Lindblom). Interestingly, he's altered the blueprint a touch this time round, mining boogie and piano house for inspiration. He kicks things off with the pleasingly sleazy, P-funk fuelled electrofunk workout 'Teach You', whose risqu? spoken word vocals are as seductive as they come, before following it up with the sparser, slap-bass sporting 'Erobique Remix'. Elsewhere, 'Come On (Piano Mix)' is a giddy and rushing slab of old school piano house/acid house fusion, while 'Electric Boulevard' is a deep, TB-303 and vocoder-sporting electro number.
Review: There's plenty to get excited about on this selection of 'lost mixes' from the vast back catalogue of Toy Tonics' parent label, Gomma. Check first Pete Herbert and Tristan Dan Cunha's retro-futurist, proto-house-meets-Balearic nu-disco rework of The Glimmers' 'U Rocked My World', before moving on to In Flagranti's all-action, peak-time ready take on Golden Bug's 'LookLookLook'. The Ep continues via a now 22 year-old rework of Leroy Hanghofer's 'Pin' by Jacques Lu Cont and John Burillo - a brilliantly low-slung house workout featuring punk-funk bass and colourful boogie synth flourishes - before concluding with a killer dub disco take on the KDMS' 'Never Stop Believing' courtesy of NYC disco original Nicky Siano.
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