My loyal love affair with London House/Garage duo Toyboy & Robin continues with the release of their latest original single, Jaded which is just so good it got me smiling instantaneously upon the opening thirty seconds. Uplifting and lovely, the fusion of T&R’s signature soft pads, smooth bass hooks and sweet vocal melodies proves, once again, to be an utterly unbeatable combination. This is the soundtrack to sunshine, ciders and Sunday afternoons.

No More Sunshine? Still in my top five favourite songs. Ever.

CTC xx

Those returning to the newly revived house and garage scene are late to the party, a party Mikki Funk never left. Staying true to his Garage and Soulful House influences from the mid 90’s, Mikki Funk is now ready for the spotlight and will surely be an artist to keep your eye on in 2013.

Late 2012 saw the release of his vinyl EP ‘The Vibe Coalition’ and since then he has moved from strength to strength, with a string of exciting new releases set for later in the year. With a saturation of bad, copy-cat house in the market at the moment Mikki’s productions will bring a touch of class.

2012 was a good year for the young producer but we at Get Darker are sure that this is only the beginning.

So Mikki, who or what are your music influences? Do you have any music heroes you are trying to emulate, or is it more a case of wanting to do your own thing?

If I had to pick just one or two, then it’d be the uplifting and soulful sounds being made through the late 90s and millennium – tunes like ‘Backfired’ by Masters at Work. Then the early-mid 90s Garage sound, that was one I remember being really inspired by. In particular people like Grant Nelson, Eddie Perez, Sly, Tuff Jam. Those were the first styles that I remember REALLY wanting to emulate.

From the start I was always producing stuff from both the soulful house, and garage styles, at the same time. It was a nice contrast. I feel the soulful house style inspired me to be a little more musical in my productions.

For the last 2 or 3 years I’d say I’ve moved on a little from those initial influences and started doing my own thing more, that’s something we all do I guess.

Do you have a process you go through when you are producing? Any rituals? Or is it all very relaxed?

Very relaxed! If it’s an original track, I’ll just put stuff down when I’ve got an idea and go from there. I don’t ‘set out’ to make anything in particular, I don’t think that’s very constructive or inspiring; if you’re forcing something then that’s when it becomes ‘work’ in my opinion.

I think some people’s tracks sound like they start from the same template or ‘ritual’ everytime. You can hear it when each of their tracks has the same drums or synths. I can’t understand that personally, it’s so formulaic and predictable. There’s ‘sticking with what works’, but you’ve got to draw the line somewhere.

As far as remixes go, I’ll just listen to the vocal and see what pops into my head. I’m a bit forgetful with ideas so I’ll need to get on my computer and hammer away at it until I’m happy. It can be a bit inconvenient getting out of bed in the middle of the night to put an idea down – but it would wind me up more to forget it!

Have you always been a House and Garage producer? Have you ever tried making any different types of music?

I’ve messed around making stuff like Jungle and Hip Hop. I actually did a jungle style remix of a Jeremy Sylvester track back in summer. That was pretty random but I heard that the Stanton Warriors liked it, which was cool. It was fun to change it up from the usual thing.

I’m inspired by too much other stuff for me to do just ‘do’ House, even if it’s just sitting down with my bass and playing along to funk for a couple of hours.

What is your favorite remix you have ever produced? Have you ever heard a remix and thought…why didn’t I think of that?

That’s a hard question. There are a few but probably the one of ‘If I Was’ that I did for Oli Furness. That was a great vocal to work with.

I’ve never heard something and thought why ‘didn’t I think of that?’, but the Grant Nelson mix of Golf Clap’s ‘Another Way’ is my favourite remix in ages. The bassline is so good. The way he composed the conga percussion to follow the melody is wicked too – nice and imaginative!

Do you ever test-drive any unreleased tracks on your audiences first?

Whenever I can get the chance I do, as long as the track is up to a good standard. That’s pretty much the ultimate test for any track, seeing the reaction it has on a crowd, and hearing how well it will work on a club system. I still haven’t tried the Oli Furness remix out, but I’d love to hear the bassline on big speakers! I’m also excited to see what the crowd thinks of the vocal breakdown in the middle!

Is there any one you dream of doing a collaboration with, or is there someone you would love to have featuring on one of your tracks? Why them?

I’d love to work with Brian Chambers or Joi Cardwell. They are two of my favourite vocalists. I really like Maxwell’s stuff too; when I first heard his track from the Lovebox VA I was blown away. It was really good to hear proper tasteful and deep 2-Step again. Maybe I’ll get Maxwell and Brian Chambers together for a few days… Where did Brian Chambers even go anyway?? Anyone?

As someone who is tipped for big things in 2013 what are your ambitions for this year and beyond?

I’ve got two releases I’m really looking forward to getting out. Firstly a split EP with another producer, on Washerman & James Johnston’s label Deep Down Slam, which should be a July release. Secondly my Music Is Love Records EP, which is far from complete but I’ve got a great vision for it.

I’ve also got a nice groovy track out in a few months, on a friends label called Plastik People. It’s going to have Playin’ 4 The City and Mike Sharon on it, so it’s set to be a wicked release.

As far as DJ’ing goes, I want to get a lot more involved with the London scene, maybe try get into Corsica Studios or Dance Tunnel at some point (2 of my favourite venues in London).

As well as your own releases this year, what other producers have you got your eye on? Who is your one to watch for 2013?

Colman Buckley is definitely one. His debut release on Local Talk was a lovely one, and one of my favourite releases recently.

What do you make of this genre’s meteoric rise in popularity? Do you think it is a good thing or is too much fame a bad thing?

There are A LOT of people jumping on House (or ‘Deep House’) at the moment. In one sense I don’t really like that, it’s pretty irritating. On the other hand, there are positives. Disclosure being in the charts or the lineup at Glastonbury for example, that’s some of the best ‘dance music’ that the charts or big events have seen since the 90s and early millennium.

I think a lot of people hating on the whole boom of it are the purists that think their precious ‘underground scene’ is just going to disappear in a puff of smoke. That’s ludicrous of course; the underground scene will always be there.

Quick Fire Round…

Favourite Tracks. Can you please give me your:

Top 3 current House tracks

At the moment I’m really feeling ‘Oxymoron’ by Roberto Rodriguez, ‘Onto You’ by Golf Clap and ‘Over Me (Original Mix)’ by Zoo Look ft Amy Lyon.

Top 3 current Garage tracks

If I’m honest I don’t really ‘look’ for Garage at the moment. I just try and keep an ear out for everything, but I’m not hearing that much (really good) straight up Garage. Saying that, I’d say a lot of the tracks I like that get marketed as ‘Deep House’ are basically just mid 90s Garage.

Top 3 classic House tracks

Such a hard one. Going to have to say ‘Tears’ by Frankie Knuckles, ‘Mood II Swing’ by Closer (Booker T Kings of Soul Remix), and ‘Guitarra’ G by Banda Sonora would be in there somewhere for sure.

Top 3 classic Garage tracks

Again, so hard. Lets say, ‘Feel My Love’ by The Jam Experience, ‘Who’s Gonna Love Me’ (Zach’s Hum Drum Mix) by K London Posse, and ‘Not Gonna Let Ya’ by 24 Hour Experience!

What is your dream booking? Where and when would you most like to perform?

Right now I really want to get a booking at The Garage in Leeds. I went there for the first time back in February for the Music Is Love Showcase, such a wicked venue!

Also, I was saying to someone the other day it would be wicked to play a venue where the booth is in the middle of the crowd. I think it would be cool to be able to interact and vibe along with them. It would be like Boiler Room but with no cameras, which means less posers and hipsters wanting to be ‘seen’ dancing at a good underground set.

And Finally…

Do you have any crazy requests on your rider? Have you seen any other DJs request something really weird?

I don’t even have a rider… If I ever do it’ll just be a 1 litre bottle of Jack Daniels and a bottle of coke. I’m easily pleased! I’ve never seen any DJs I know with crazy riders. Personally I reckon any DJ with some crazy diva-esque rider is probably a bit of muppet and needs a slap! When I think of a rider I just think of some awful EDM DJ (whatever that is).

And…can you tell us something you have never told anyone in an interview before…?

Damn. I’m trying to think of something really interesting here now. I’m a bit of a Batman/ Sci-Fi geek. I guess I just like those sorts of films. If I’m not doing music then I’m probably watching Batman or something. I’m joking. Kind of…

Who needs Julio Bashmore when you have the originals? G.O.D, known in various forms as Grant Nelson, Jeremy Sylvester and more (seems the name was passed round a bit), recruited Todd Terry on the buttons to turn this remix into one of the rarest and most sought after House & Garage tracks of the late 90s. With a hefty nudge towards the popular Speed Garage sound at the time, without being overly warpy or jungalistical, I think this is probably my favourite Todd Terry record of all time.

Definitely not unlimited

Featuring the dulcet tones of Jenna G, Phuturistix’s “Beautiful” is a slice of broken beat funk and soul from their 2003 album “Feel It Out”. Made at a time of rich experimentation with the demise of UK Garage and the emergence of genres like dubstep, bassline and grime, broken beat met a need in between soulful house & garage and the old, harsher breakbeat styles and its influences can be later seen in the emergence of early UK funky (before the MCs started yelling one line over and over).

Phuturistix combined the talents of Zed Bias (yes, him of “Neighbourhood” fame and now causing a stir with his house projects around the Swamp 81 movement) and DJ Injekta and although they followed up with a 2007 album “Breathe Some Light”, nothing touched this for tapping into that no man’s land of UK dance music post 2002.

Go on, cop a feel

I literally fell in love with the original, so I wanted to do like a tribute remix. Here it is, UKG style. If you dig it, share it, upload it, spread it!

DOWNLOAD IT FROM: SOUNDCLOUD || ZIPPYSHARE

Ga hier naar de recensie

A warm & sunny spring Tuesday to you all (again), check out Route 94′s short bootleg of Outcast’s single Ms. Jackson as a part of Tuesday’s double dose of music!

- Hz № 1 (Triple V)

A warm & sunny spring Tuesday to you all, check out Route 94 for a double dose of music. Route 94 is the alias of a currently unknown producer, however, with nearly all of the songs dropped being bangers and rumors of an upcoming EP release this is on artist to have on your radar!

- Hz № 1 (Triple V)

Signed to french record label Paranoiak, the artist TÂCHES resides in London at the center of the current left-field garage & UK House scene and released this single April 1st.

Check him out at https://www.facebook.com/officialtaches and support the music!

- Hz № 1 (Triple V)

From the dark days of garage around mid 2000 when no one cared came this smash from Agent X. Now to be found producing for the likes of Skepta (“Badboy”) and Cheryl Cole (“A Million Lights”), they ruled the roost for that dark, choppy soca bassline style, first seen on their debut track “Decoy”.

Kele, the UK Garage world’s queen for vocals, laced a beautifully dark vocal over this swingy head nodder. A lot of the younger singers could learn a lot in writing terms from some of the old garage singers, learning to write without convolution or over simplifying terms. This was criminally overlooked and had it dropped 4-5 years earlier, it had chart potential.

Agent X2

Here’s a new track from Village that is coming out on the split EP, “The Catch” with Arapaima. These guys are holding it down for Origami Sound, one of my favorite labels. “Love On the Line” has a pretty large vibe, a nice blend of elements from many genres of electronic music, as is typical of Village’s sound. I’m enjoying this jam this morning.

This evening is supported by Go Think Big.  

Spoony’s professional career started in1997 after many years of djing as a hobby.

His move to London Underground (a leading pirate radio station in the mid-nineties) was a pivotal point in his career as this is where he met two guys that were to have a huge effect and influence on his career.

Alongside Timmi Magic and Mikee B they became the Dreem Teem. They were the leading ambassadors for a new musical genre, UK Garage, that was to be a musical phenomenon and took the UK by storm. The Dreem Teem are widely regarded as the people responsible for making UK Garage the national and international phenomenon it was.

Their individual Dj prowess and collective aura was very evident on air and this led to them being signed up to London’s Kiss FM. The popularity grew and with this came two extra radio shows on the network. The demand to produce and remix tracks and DJ around the country was allowing the ‘Teem’ to get their ‘sound’ to the nation. Spoony was the lover of radio in the ‘Teem’ and would act as the focal point on air.

After two years on Kiss FM came the opportunity to take their inimitable style to airwaves of the other major cities in the UK with a groundbreaking, syndicated show on Galaxy Radio. UK Garage was the ‘new’ rock ‘n’ roll and the Dreem Teem were its Beatles. The Dreem Teem and UK Garage were now big news.

As their reputation in clubland and on the radio grew, so did the attention of national radio, so it wasn’t a surprise to many when they got the call to join Radio 1.

Spoony, Timmi and Mikee were to be hosts of the Sunday morning show, 10-1pm for three very successful years interviewing stars such as David and Victoria Beckham, The England World Cup Squad and Will Smith. They were to be influential in breaking the careers of Craig David, Ms Dynamite and Daniel Beddingfield . The guys were rewarded for their unmistakable style with a Sony Award.

In 2003, the Dreem Teem’s tenure at Radio 1 came to an end. It was a ‘bitter, sweet’ moment for Spoony as he was asked to stay on the network to become the host of the weekend breakfast shows.

His weekend breakfast shows allowed listeners to join the Early Doors Club, play Judge Fudge, and become a Local Legend. Another long running feature was Mills & Spoon (a name play of the Mills & Boon books), in which Scott Mills read out love stories every Sunday. It turned out to be a great period in Spoony’s career, as the Breakfast Show became one of the most popular shows in the UK, hitting record audience figures.

It was also in 2003 that Spoony joined Radio 5Live to become the host 606, a weekly football phone-in show.

His extensive career behind a microphone should not overshadow his first love, Djing. He has played all over the world including Miami, Dubai, New York and South Africa, as well as Cyprus, Italy, Greece and has appeared in Ibiza every year since 1996. As resident DJ for the internationally acclaimed ‘Twice As Nice’ both in England and Ibiza he set the ‘sound’ of the most popular urban night the UK has ever had.

He has been the Dj of choice at private functions for David and Victoria Beckham, Rio Ferdinand and Sir Alex Ferguson to name a few celebrity events and has worked for the national companies like Apple, Nike, Burtons and Selfridges.

Outside of music and TV, Spoony has hosted many ‘Red Carpet’ movie premiers in London’s West End. Most recently ‘Men In Black 3’ interviewing Will Smith, Josh Brolin and Nicole Scherzinger. Previous premiers have been ‘SpiderMan’, ‘Hancock’, ‘Rambo’ with Sylvester Stallone and ‘The Other Guys’ with Mark Wahlberg and Will Ferrell.

When not working he has many active hobbies. Football and golf the main two. Playing Pro-Am events in Florida, Abu Dhabi and Monaco.

He raises thousand of pounds for worthwhile causes, currently patron of The Jude Brady Foundation and has received an award from European Tour for his work with young, under privileged people in golf.

 Book your ticket to hear more:

http://www.inspireyouth.eventbrite.com

Dearest apologies on the musical absence!
Check out Disclosure’s bootleg of Janet Jackson’s single “Call On Me”, Featuring Nelly. Two brothers from the UK, they supported SBTRKT on his 2012 tour however 2013 has seen them play at Ultra and gain even more exposure with their Hit Single “Latch” hitting 11th in the UK singles charts. We also had a bit of good fortune to see them play a live set at The Sinclair in Cambridge, where they absolutely smashed it.

Check them out and support the music!

- Hz № 1 (Triple V)

This is the latest video/track from KH Official. It is no secret that I enjoy KH’s style. His smooth vocals get me every time. Take a look and let me know what you think.

Contact Information:

Facebook:

Website: http://khofficial.com/

Soundcloud: http://soundcloud.com/kh-official

Twitter: https://twitter.com/khofficialmusic

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/khofficialmusic?feature=watch

In light of our toasty warm month of April, here’s another Wogan-esque tenuous link. Amar it seems (though it’s hard to verify) went onto greater things, working with Timbaland on his 2007 album “Shock Value” but this track was a staple of early 00′s UKG. Alongside MC Rankin (didn’t go onto better things), they created one of the most memorable singalong UK Garage tracks of it’s era. Sounds dated as fuck now, though.

A-mar-god

This is a UK produced tune , that gets really addictive as you listen to it more and more. Might remind you the good old days of UK Garage. Taylor Fowlis (https://www.facebook.com/TaylorFowlismusic) gives out some really strong vocals on this one! Let’s wait till summertime

Again, I post more UK funky releases, there is something about that genre that no other can quite mimic: lax pads, disperse vocals, twisted basslines and untold atmospheres. That is probably the best way to describe this EP in one sentence. There are some standout tracks for me though.
The first is ‘Lividub’, this is one of those signature songs that make the UK funky genre for me. A frisky lead synth with bouncy vocals and zesty percussion.
Second the Joe Gorddard remix of ‘Control’. It has an awesome Daft Punk ‘End of line’ theme going on, similar lead bass synth and chord progression, but a little too progressive for my liking.
And lastly, the Medlar remix of ‘Boiling’. I like this one in particular: the smooth main lead has strong rave and oldskool roots, which for me, is always a good sign in a good song. The rolling bassline with the flaky vocals and the subtle breakbeat is a divine amalgam that is hard to come by.

Also for those that cared, I’ve successfully moved back to Germany from New Zealand and now live by the beautiful lake Constance.

Artist: Disclosure
Label: Greco Roman
Genre: UK Funky
Release: April 2013

1. Control
2. Lividub
3. Control – Joe Goddard remix
4. Boiling – Dixon remix
5. What’s in your head – Mak & Pasteman remix
6. Boiling – Medlar remix

Listen to the originals here:

1. Control
1. Boiling
1. What’s in your head

Links
Juno Records
Greco Roman
Facebook
Disclosure

But to not leave you empty-handed, here is a light springtime tune free of charge

Marseille – Ultra

Lejal’Nyte radioshow LNRS095 was live on air @ http://www.sub.fm 30.03.2013 @ 9AM UK time @ 11AM EE time. Fresh music from artists like Sonuba, Music For Your Plants, Thing, WECAN, KGB, Chalice, Gee, OkYm Riim, Slin, Bisweed, Cosmos Laguna and others.

Mixcloud: LNRS095
MP3: LNRS095

01. Sonuba – Tokyo Dreaming [Sonuba 2013]
02. Teisikud – Taeval Ei Ole Soosikuid [Eesti Pops 2013]
03. Music For Your Plants – Stabmixer Bazar [MFYP 2012]
04. Thing – Atomica [Dubthing 2013]
05. Grässhopas – Rakvere Eri (Van Small Step Remix) [Lejal Genes 2012]
06. Thing – Insomniac [Dubthing 2013]
07. WECAN – The Beast [Dubform 2013]
08. KGB – Kicking Like This [-]
09. Chalice – Ilu Päästab (Gee VIP Remix) [-]
10. Gee – Sensitive Madness VIP [-]
11. Okym Riim – Anonüüm [Legendaarne 2012]
12. Kalimist – Swamp Thing [-]
13. WECAN – My Hood [Dubform 2013]
14. Jeffy Diamond – Far Cry [-]
15. Kobist – Something In My Heart [Digital Coma 2012]
16. Slin – In The Deli [-]
17. Z Johnny – Empty Souls [-]
18. Bisweed – Manta [-]
19. Cosmos Laguna – Karma Cleaner [Trash Can Dance 2011]

+ we enjoyed episode LNRS080 for the 2nd hour of the show.

Mixcloud: LNRS080
MP3: LNRS080

01. Def Räädu – Ahvid & Klahvid (Out-Or Remix) [Lejal Genes 2012]
02. Self Evident – Red [-]
03. STM – Night Out At The Jazz Bar (Self Evident Remix) [Lejal Globe 2012]
04. Disgu!se – Listen To Me (L-OW Remix) [Heartfelt 2012]
05. Bisweed – Groovelight [-]
06. Gee – BnG [-]
07. Késhava – Use Less [-]
08. Benga – Icon (KGB & Benga Mix) [Universal 2012]
09. Bisweed – Pirates [-]
10. Caidance – Grape Flavored [-]
11. OkYm Riim aka Mulju Tom & Prospecta – Vanglaplaneet [Legendaarne 2012]
12. L-OW – Untitled [-]
13. Késhava – Consciousness [Lejal Globe 2011]
14. Chump Change & Ryan Pearce – Please Understand [-]
15. Jeffy Diamond – Bassy [-]
16. Self Evident – Robotight [-]
17. Chump Change – Regulator [WWJ 2012]
18. Gy3 – WWW [Lejal Genes 1998]