Party squad Toolroom Knights is coming in hot with an expansive new compilation mixed by Forza — the Italian trio known individually as Alex Kenji, Manuel de la Mare, and Luigi Rocca. The massive compilation racks up the count to 43 tracks across three different albums and gives us an excellent review of a range of tech and acid house cuts from the last year. If that wasn’t enough, Forza also treats us to five new exclusives from each of the three producers, respectively. Other major additions to the compilation include Prok & Fitch‘s “Symphony,” Alex Kenji’s remix of Sander van Doorn‘s “Outro,” Joris Voorn‘s “Goodbye Fly,” Shawnee Taylor and Sympho Nympho‘s “Colors,” and Reboot’s “Enjoy Music” with a DJ Chus 2012 re-edit. Check out the five exclusives courtesy of Toolroom Records below.
While Mark Knight and Brazilian hometown hero Wehbba make headlines for mixing Toolroom Knights’ latest compilation album, Tronic boss Christian Smith delivers one of its best new tracks.
“The Tip” is a textbook amalgam of deep and tech house, featuring masterful filter-work on a stripped down groove that manages never to sound as repetitive as it is. Smith’s veteran touch shows in well placed percussive elements and smooth hi-hats that keep the track moving. Head to Beatport to check out the track and compilation today.
When it comes to tech house, there is Toolroom Records, and then there is everyone else. Mark Knight’s trendsetting label has been as prolific as it is selective, consistently showcasing the best that the genre has to offer. The Toolroom Knights compilation series has been a major vehicle for doing this, allowing such tech luminaries as John Dahlbäck and Umek to stake out their sound by mixing a compilation of their contemporaries.
Italian tech house maestro Stefano Noferini captains the latest Toolroom Knights release, steering listeners on a 19-track odyssey through his favorite gems of the genre. While Noferini’s legendary mixing skills are self-evident, his three new exclusive productions also stand out in the mix. His sultry “Room 52″ is a clear highlight, pairing a compelling progressive lead with finely crafted rhythms. Check out a preview and track-list after the jump.
In celebration of the impending debut of Sensation in America this weekend in Brooklyn, we bring to you a Good Morning Mix fit for the event of the year. Only a few weeks ago, Toolroom king Mark Knight rang in the brand’s sixth birthday with six shows throughout the UK (including Ministry of Sound in London) and support from Friendly Fires, Lovebirds, Crazy P Soundsystem, and a variety of resident Toolroom DJs. The set whips through some of his more recent remixes and productions (like “Nothing Matters”) but also skillfully throws in dashes of classic, contemporary, progressive, deep, and electro house tunes. If the underground really is becoming mainstream as some suggest, this mix embodies this prediction. When else do you see Nicole Moudaber, Dirty South, Marco Carola, and Nari & Milani in the same setlist? Listen, download, and check out the tracklist after the break.
Tech house legend, Toolroom boss, and all-around superstar Mark Knight teams up with Skunk Anansie frontwoman Skin to give us the brooding, booming “Nothing Matters.” The original mix, which is slated to hit iTunes on August 5th, leans more dark techno than rhythmic house, but we’ll also be getting remixes from versatile German house meister Tensnake, Swedish progressive DJ/producer CaPA, and rising drum ‘n’ bass stars Noisia. We first heard “Nothing Matters” in episode one of Toolroom TV, which featured footage of Skin performing the track live with MK at the Toolroom fifth anniversary party.
The video suggests a Orwellian future in the United Kingdom, but this is fascism unlike we’ve ever seen it before. We won’t spoil the surprise, but let us know what you think, both about the track and the video, with your comments.
It’s no secret that we’re huge fans of everything Toolroom here at DA. If you share our obsession with tech house, then Toolroom TV should be required viewing. If don’t share our obsession with tech house, here’s your chance to turn your life around.
The half-hour web series is a fascinating look behind the scenes at the label, featuring club footage, artist interviews, and tons of excellent tracks. Episode 1 celebrated Toolroom’s fifth anniversary at the Brixton Academy, and Episode 2 expands the narrative, taking us to Miami Music week. At the DJ Mag pool party, we catch up with the lovely Cassy and SHM-killer DJ Sneak. Russian DJ/producer Nina Kraviz talks about her love for men in that slightly unsettling but nonetheless attractive manner that many Eastern European women have. We also hear from Alex Kenji, Sander van Doorn, Mark Knight (swoon), and our favorite bespectacled Brit, Funkagenda. Bonus appearances from Sasha and James Zabiela. (more…)
Toolroom Records has recently announced the launch of its very own web series, Toolroom TV. Joining the likes of Steve Angello’s literacy phonics
href=”http://www.dancingastronaut.com/2012/04/steve-angello-brings-us-the-debut-episode-of-size-tv/”>Size Records — who also launched a web series not long ago — we’re beginning to see record labels offer their fans more than just music. The UK-based dance label, which is headed by house legend Mark Knight, is one of the most prestigious in all of dance music. In the 25-minute debut episode, we’re brought on tour to some of Toolroom’s best parties of the year. Making stops at the Space Ibiza closing party, London’s Brixton Academy, and Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE), we get exclusive artist interviews and a behind-the-scenes look at what the label is all about. Look out for a dedicated mini-site from Toolroom to go along with the new web series soon.
Ah, Mark Knight. We wish we had the words to describe how wondrously, delightfully, amazingly beautiful you your music is. Your set at Nocturnal Wonderland remains one of our fondest dance music memories. Your magical remix of “You’ve Got the Love” captured our imaginations and forced its way into the Dancing Astronaut 2011 Top 10. Your brand of house music is eminently danceable, and the way you weave tracks together excites us in ways that makes our girlfriends obsessively jealous.
With “Sax” and “Devil Walking,” you showed us that tech house could be both minimal and ridiculously fun. Volume One of your Bullet EP helped us celebrate the good times and overcome the bad. Everything Toolroom produces is pure gold. We love you. You had us at hello.
We’ll most certainly be buying Volume Two of your Bullet EP when it hits Beatport on March 19 and iTunes on April 1st. Volume Two looks like it’ll be a little more melodic and evocative than the first. We can’t wait.
On February 6th, Swedish house dynamo John Dahlbäck will unveil his “Toolroom Knights” compilation, an album that has been dubbed “a journey through the world’s finest house music.”
The compilation is made up of 38 tracks from artists such as Mark Knight & Wolfgang Gartner, Danny Daze, and Bart B More, and also features three new songs from John Dahlbäck — “Feel It,” “Heroes,” and “Escape.”
Along with its impressive tracklisting, “Toolroom Knights” includes two, full-length DJ mixes recorded by Dahlbäck himself. From percussive tech grooves to melodic, big-room anthems, both mixes highlight Dahlbäck’s versatility as a DJ and showcase some of the best house music around.
With such an impeccable song selection, plus two exceptional DJ mixes, there is no doubt that “Toolroom Knights” will be one of the best albums of the year, and we can’t wait to hear it.
