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Continuing their policy of investing in white-hot,
breakthrough talent,
South to provide a mix for the prolific Toolroom Knights series. After
efforts from label boss Mark Knight and Radio 1 DJ
reputation for cutting-edge mixes that push the boundaries of House music.It would be
difficult to name a new artist who has had more impact on the scene over the
last couple of years than Dirty South aka
South’s killer remix of Evermore’s ‘It’s Too Late’ that his career really began
to skyrocket. The remix was easily among the year’s biggest tracks in clubland
and in addition to being licensed to over 30 compilations worldwide, the track
was nominated for ‘Best Alternative
South has gone on to remix countless world renowned artists such as Depeche
Mode, Mark Ronson, Tracy Thorn, Snoop Dogg, Tiesto and Roger Sanchez among many
others. By no means purely a remix specialist, Dirty South has produced an
impressive number of high quality EPs and singles. ‘Let It Go’, ‘Open Your
Heart’, ‘Minority’ and The Doors sampling ‘The End’ have been all been
club-smashing anthems that have received support from right across the board.The strength
of this double disc release lies with a carefully selected array of
floor-destroying House tracks that have been hand-picked from a vast array of
production talent from across the globe. There is a cunning blend of classic
electro-influenced cuts and Dirty South’s own releases that bubble together in
a mammoth, musical melting pot.CD1
begins in epic fashion with Kemistry’s remix of the Buzzin Fly classic
‘Insomnia’ by Rodamaal. There is an early theme of melody-rich numbers that
includes Studio Apartment’s ‘I’m In Love’ and Gui Boratto’s ‘Anunciación’,
which both set the tone perfectly for the introduction of the more full-on club
bangers for which Dirty South is famed. As
Sydenham’s ‘Ebian’ rolls into the picture a little later you can feel the
pressure being gradually ratcheted up a couple of notches. Dirty South’s own
track ‘Minority’ blazes into the mix around the halfway point, keeping the
intensity levels stoked as it does. Skylark’s Miami-conquering remix of Xpress
2’s ‘Music Xpress’ and Solomun’s ‘Deadman’ sit back-to-back in the home-
stretch of the mix and serve as an insight into what anthems sound like past
and present. The versatility of the mix is epitomized by the closing choice of
James Holden’s remix of Nathan Fake’s ‘The Sky Was Pink’ with its neo-trance
synths and glitchy flourishes of white-noise.Conversely CD2
is more of a straight-up peak time affair that is laced with occasional vocal
numbers and accapellas that keep the flow fresh and always interesting. Kicking
off with Dirty South’s recent Axwell collaboration ‘Open Your Heart’ the mix
immediately moves through darker musical shades than on the previous disc
thanks to Dubfire’s devastating remix of Booka Shades’s ‘Charlotte’. Toolroom
boss Mark Knight’s remix of
of
Harris
& Dirty South’s ‘Better Day’; a deft touch that takes an already thrilling
track to another level. There is an abundance of contributions from the
influential Swedish House Mafia with Sebastian Ingrosso &
Sebastian Ingrosso’s ‘Partouze’ and Steve Angello’s ‘Gypsy’ all being weaved
into the mix. German producer Tocadisco turns in a show-stopping interpretation
of ‘The End’ to round the disc off in frenetic fashion!Here’s a
peek into the world of Dirty South, in a short interview that gives an insight
behind the scenes of his superb Toolroom Knights CD…
What
was your overall approach to constructing a Toolroom mix?The tracks
for this compilation were selected on the basis of tracks I was into and what I
was playing at the time of selection. It also features some Toolroom releases
and of course some of my productions. I keyed all the tracks and mixed both
discs with Ableton Live.Do you
feel that you’ve achieved what you set out to with the mix?I am really
happy with this mix. I would say it is my favourite compilation to date. I
think I achieved exactly what I intended with it.How would
you describe the sound of the mix?The sound of
the mix varies throughout both discs. Disc 1 is little deeper, weirder and
sexier, where the second disc is more big room sounding.How did
you go about selecting tracks for the mix?It was a
mixture of tracks that I have been playing out, tracks that I really liked,
some Toolroom releases and my productions.Would you
say your musical policies as a DJ are accurately reflected?Disc 1
sounds like something that I would play if I was to warm up for myself, and the
second disc reflects more what I would actually play like in a dj set.You’ve
been commissioned remix work for some big names in recent years, had a dance
music award nomination, and a heap of singles released. Has there been a
definitive career highlight for you so far?I think
being nominated for a Grammy would be up there for me – along with many other
happy moments in my life!Can we
expect an artist album to be released in the coming yearsIt is
possible, but for now I will concentrate on singles and also starting my own
label very soon.What do
you feel about the house scene at the moment in terms of the quality of musical
output?There is a
lot of music out there and it can be hard to find the secret weapons and
new/fresh tracks because everyone with a laptop can make beats and sometimes
that’s not a good thing for the quality of music being released, but its every
dj’s job to be on the hunt and lookout for the best tracks they can find…
On the
back of the Toolroom Knights compilation release, how packed is your DJ
schedule looking?The schedule
is looking full on, with a European tour finally finishing end of September
after being 4 months long. After that is the
Australian tour.Are there
any upcoming shows that you’re particularly looking forward to?Im really
enjoying my residency at Pacha,
for that. Also doing one of my favourite clubs in September, Ministry of Sound
London for Steve Angelo’s Size party.Preferred
method of mixing: Vinyl, CDs or laptop?CDs!
All-time
favourite club to perform in?Ministry of
SoundI like what
the Swedish House Mafia are releasing, Tiger Stripes andSecret
weapon in your record box?I always
make new edits and bootlegs, plus I just finished a new track with Axwell
called ‘Open Your Heart’.What’s
your worst experience behind the decks?I never have
weird or uncomfortable moments when I’m playing, but the main thing that sucks
for me when I’m playing is if the crowd are not there for the music.———————————————————— ——————————–
Toolroom Knights Mixed By Dirty
South 2XCDs of the world’s finest House Music, including
tracks by Dirty South, Axwell, X-Press 2, Gui Boratto, Booka Shade, John
Dahlback,
Mark Knight, Steve Angello, Sebastian Ingrosso, James Holden, Tocadisco and
more…OUT MONDAY 15th
SEPTEMBER!!AVAILABLE ON CD OR MP3 / PREVIEW
& DOWNLOAD AT: http://www.toolroomrecords.com or http://www.beatport.com“>http://www.beatport.com!———————————————————— ——————————–
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