Toddla T Sound - Worst Enemy (Ninja Tune)

This is the first single from Toddla T Sound, the collective of Serocee, DRS, Shola AMA and Toddla T, brought together by Toddla himself. Featuring both elements of live performance and DJing with live vocalists, their aim is to bring all the madness from the clubs to the studio. Already road tested at Love Box, Roskilde, and Bestival, the response has been resounding. “Worst Enemy” is a collaborative release that has come about because of the great vibes of a year spent on the road touring filled with the combo’s ‘old-meets-new school’ sound and ethos. “Worst Enemy” also gets the remix treatment from rising Numbers artist Deadboy whose productions have been described as ‘hypersoul’ and ‘heartache for the dance floor.’ Tapping into London’s rich musical heritage from Scott Walker to early ’90s hardcore all the way through to UK garage and house, Deadboy’s tracks somehow still share the same sense of futuristic melancholia as the first wave of Detroit techno by the likes of Derrick May and Juan Atkins. Energetic breakbeat floor power pours out of Deadboy’s mixes here, with both a full vocal version and a more DJ-centric dub. Dig in.

Soul of Man (Finger Lickin’) - “Yes, yes, and YES again! The original all the way, swerve the remixes though. TOP TUNAGE, got the vibes, got the the bleeps, got the hairs standing to attention, too.”
Dave Taylor (Switch / Major Lazer) - “The original is proper!”
Sebastian Doering (Lovebirds) - “The original is wicked … so deep!”
Tom Flynn (Hypercolour / Dirtybird) - “Awesome! I absolutely love the Deadboy remix. Full support.”
DJ Rocca (Ajello) - “The Deadboy Remix changed my day! Amazing.”
Kruse & Nuernberg - “The original mix is ACE.”
Ulysses (Neurotic Drum Band) - “The Deadboy remix is super fun. I love the old rave feel.”
Jota Wagner (Colors Sound System) - “Modern and ‘old school’ at the same time. The Deadboy remix is pretty cool.”
Joey Silvero (Distant People) - “Heavy weight massive impact track!”
Da Wiseguy (Mixed Up on RTE Pulse, Ireland) - “Don’t get me wrong … the Deadboy remix is a deadly buzz altogether. But the original is just something supremely special.”
Joshua Ferguson (Dialogue Inc.) - “Definitely a great follow up to Toddla T’s recent successes. Deadboy really kills it with that rolling break.”
Charlie Wild (WNYU / Mixtape Riot) - “The Deadboy remix is FRESSSSSSSSH! I’m liking the original a lot, too.”
Velanche (Velanche’s Playtime) - “Deadboy smashes it. That is all.”

Available now from Juno Download and Beatport.

James Zabiela - The Healing (Remixes) (Born Electric)

Via Flux webzine:

It is always with great excitement that we receive a new label to the electronic music panorama. Born Electric is the new and highly anticipated imprint of the established DJ/producer James Zabiela. Not exactly a new-born to the scene, Zabiela has been guiding people to the dance-floor for over a decade now; with his signature ‘genre-less’ style that has won him great acclaim and one of the most loyal fan bases in electronic music.

“The Healing” is the label’s debut release and title track is a perfect introduction into Zabiela’s ethereal world. This ambient piece is driven by a soft synth line which sets the mood of the song. Pianos, guitars, and, most importantly, Zabiela’s own vocals add a melancholic and personal component to this track, expanding it into further dimensions and creating a very enjoyable listen.

With the original mix we get the sweet and contemplative side of Zabiela, his 85 Remix cuts straight to the chase. A choppy beat dominated by a rather chunky bass line and slappy hi-hats that unite to produce an ‘in your face’ reaction. At around minute three, the reinsertion of the original synth line sets up a vibe in such way that incites me to commit the crime of cataloguing this as ‘space-funk.’ Joking aside, the winks to disco, electro, and Planet Rock are much appreciated.

Previously this year Zabiela successfully remixed Hot Chip’s single “How Do You Do.” Here we see the band returning ‘the favour’ with a remix that remains very loyal to the original. It’s a rough, more percussive and less melodic version.

Midland’s remix was recorded on tape in order to accentuate the textures and deliver a great piece of hypnotizing house. His fantastic form in 2012 is well showcased in this slow burning piece. This track shows yet again the potential of Zabiela’s synth line, deconstructing it and stringing it out across 7 minutes.

The digital release also includes 2 extra remixes by Clubroot and Gang Colours. Clubroot’s ‘future garage’ yields an impressive remix. It sends out a feel of night bus melancholia and loneliness, very apt for rainy winter days. Finally, fellow Southampton producer Gang Colours offers a version with a stompy hovering beat, spacey harps and a delicate piano keys.

This is an all-together good first EP, reflecting the eclecticism of Zabiela’s world. One can only expect the unexpected, which might not be reassuring but it certainly makes for an exciting journey.

Nick Warren - “Great work, James. Well done!”
Q-Burns Abstract Message - “Some ambitious treatments in this package. Midland gains most of my attention with their swell remix, but also liking the beguiling Clubroot version. Dig.”
Tom Flynn (Hypercolour, Dirtybird) - “Zabiela’s 85 Remix is my pick. The Clubroot mix will be useful, too. Nice package!”
Will SumSuch (DeepWit, Etoka) - “A really impressive debut package here, with a mix for every possible occasion. Really liking the original track … stunning Balearic, deeply emotional vibes. Midland’s remix is shading it for me, but the Clubroot version is also excellent.”
Kruse & Nuernberg - “The Midland remix is ace!”
Raxon (audio tonic) - “I’m really feeling Zabiela’s 85 Remix! Excellent production.”
Lönya (Asymmetric Soul) - “Hot Chip are out of this world! The Clubroot mix is great, too.”
Tim Sweeney (Beats In Space) - “The Hot Chip and Midland mixes for me.”
Bruno Lepretre (Ibiza Global Radio) - “Awesome … great remix package.”
Tris Kayo (Radio Monaco) - “Oh yeah! It’s been a while and this is a great release. Full support!”
Bobi (Global Movement Radio Show) - “This is release is crazy, though very tasty, indeed. Dance floor dynamite!”

Available now from Juno Download and Beatport.