POSTS TAGGED : Toddla T

Toddla T Sound Project – ‘Kensal Road EP’

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UK producer Toddla T has always proven a reliable source of vibrant party tunes and he’s back, with more feel-good vibes once again on the latest Toddla T Sound Project, the Kensal Road EP.

It is an eclectic mix of the old and the new, featuring collaborations with long-time associate Serocee, The 2 Bears, Mr Lex, Suns Of Dub, Mele and Tenor Fly. It’s a release that cements his reputation for continually pushing his eclectic tastes and shaping them into something dynamic, exciting and fun. Past evidence would suggest that Toddla T is at the peak of his powers with deep, clattering bassy dancehall inspired tunes. ‘Big Tune A Drop (Toddla T VS The 2 Bears ft. Mr Lexx)’, ‘Propellah (feat. Serocee) and ‘Rude Boy Talk’ (Toddla T & Mele Remix by Tenor Fly) would certainly support such a thesis, after all, they are a stupendous master class in heavy-hitting, bass-driven, dancefloor fillers. Oddly enough however, the stand out track is none of these but the simply glorious ‘Walkin’ (Toddla T Meets Suns Of Dub). Instrumentally-led it takes the tempo right down, slowed to a deep and hypnotic dub/reggae pace, this lustrous splendour is complimented by emotive melodies and some of the most wondrous horns. Absolutely marvellous work.

Kensal Road EP is out now. You can sample some choice cuts below or stream it in full here.

Toddla T Sound – ‘Acid’

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UK producer Toddla T has always been a reliable source of feel-good party tunes over the past number of years, and the dancehall-loving producer’s latest track, ‘Acid’, is no different.

Taken from his Toddla T Sound project, ‘Acid’ combines some old school Acid House vibes with his penchant for all things dancehall, and cements his rep for always being able to bring the party. This is a deep, hard driving and banging tune – the hypnotic bassline, the clattering kick snare and the oh so glorious 303 squelching make it everything that it is and the latter in particular, brings the driving Jamaican vocal sample to life. Yet another solid production from Toddla T and hopefully the rest of 2014 is a productive one.

‘Acid’ is taken from his forthcoming three-track EP, On Acid, which is out on May 5th through Defected. Check it and it’s video below.

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The Pioneers – ‘Let Your Yeah Be Yeah’ (Toddla T Remix)

I can’t say I’m too taken by Toddla T’s new single ‘Alive‘, it’s just a bit, well, mmeh. This is of little consequence thankfully as Toddla T has kicked off the Clarks Originals remix series with a superb rework of The Pioneers ‘Let Your Yeah Be Yeah’.

It is fair to say for the most part classic tracks should be left well alone but this Trojan classic is in safe hands from a producer who’s love affair with Jamaica, it’s culture and music, runs deep. Introducing his own unique style, it is upbeat and bright with a flurry of sharp beats and bass drops, the track is totally re-imagined while paying tribute to the original track in the best way possible.

The Pioneers ‘Let Your Yeah Be Yeah’ (Toddla T Remix) is available for FREE download from here.

Video: Toddla T – ‘Streets So Warm’ feat. Wayne Marshall & Skream

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If you been reading this blog for a while you’ll know I’m a massive fan of the prodigious talent that is Toddla T.

The Sheffield producer’s second album, Watch Me Dance is one of the finest records this year, so it’s hardly surprising that news of one of it’s standout tracks, ‘Streets So Warm’, being released a single is greeted with jubilation.

‘Streets So Warm’ features Wayne Marshall and Skream and is out 17 October w/ remixes from Zed Bias, Ross Orton & Pipes and Serial Killerz.

Toddla T – Watch Me Dance

With 2009’s debut, Skanky Skanky, Toddla T established himself as a prodigious talent. Two years on, the Sheffield producer is back with his second album, Watch Me Dance.

Recorded between Sheffield and Kingston in Jamaica, this dynamic has left it’s mark on the record, it sounds like a halfway house between two musical cultures. An affection for clattering beats and powerful basslines remains but it is only on the high energy ‘Badman Flu’ that jumpy dancehall/bass sound of his debut is fully revisited. 

His time in Jamaica comes to the fore on two of the standout tracks, ‘Streets so Warm’ and ‘Fly’, where the vocal talents of Wayne Marshall and Ms Dynamite are fully realized. Elsewhere lead single ‘Take It Back’ hankers back to the pop-rave hits from the ’90s and ‘Lovely Girl’, ‘Body Good’ and ‘How Beautiful It Would Be’ continue the cheery summery vibes. Even when longstanding collaborator Roots Manuva lends his vocal talent to the title track, the upbeat is preferred to gruffness. 

The biggest leap Toddla T has made is his ability to craft tunes with a foot in both camps, no longer is he solely concerned with battering the ears off you. This newly found eclecticism jumps between styles and tempos and is bound by a sense of fun and a willingness to embrace it. Watch Me Dance is a fun album reminding us of the summer we never had.

 Toddla T – Watch Me Dance feat. Roots Manuva

Toddla T – Fly (Feat. Miss Dynamite) via wrgmag

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Video: Toddla T – Watch Me Dance ft. Roots Manuva

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As you may already know, ‘Watch Me Dance’ is the title track from Toddla T‘s forthcoming album which is out in August on Ninja Tune.

The track features the vocal prowess of Roots Manuva and is full of dancefloor grooves, funky basslines and electronic strut. Anyway, following unleashing ‘Watch Me Dance‘ on the public a few weeks back, T has just unveiled a brand spanking new video for the single.

Toddla T is probably the most featured artist on this blog, I promise no more until the release of his new album in August.

Download: Toddla T – Red Bull Mixtape Volume 1

Toddla T has been busy readying the release of his second album Watch Me Dance, out in August, his first for Ninja Tune.

He found time to hide out in the Red Bull Studios for two weeks creating a tune-a-day with a selection of UK wide artists for his exclusive Red Bull mixtape. Crafted from scratch over 2 weeks with 9 special guests from all over the UK, it’s presented in a mixtape style but is in fact 9 exclusive Toddla T collaborations.

It’s a great mixtape which at just under 30 minutes has all the usual Toddla T ingredients; big bass beats, dancefloor grooves, funky basslines, electro/dance hall riddims with a touch of soul and of course, serious feel good vibes!

The tracklisting is after the jump along with a thumping remix of his latest tune ‘Watch Me Dance’ (w/ Roots Manuva) from SebastiAn which has been doing the rounds of late.

Download: Toddla T – Red Bull Mixtape Vol. 1

Download: Toddla T – Watch Me Dance (SebastiAn Remix)

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Toddla T – Watch Me Dance feat. Roots Manuva

Toddla T is preparing to release his second album Watch Me Dance this August. ‘Take It Back’ featuring Shola Ama and J2K not so long ago heralded the return of The ‘Boom DJ from the Steel City’.

His latest offering is ‘Watch Me Dance’. Not only does it feature the vocal talents of label mate Roots Manuva, but it originally began life as a Roots tune. It takes shape more as a collaboration between the two producers with startling results. ‘Watch Me Dance’ is full of dancefloor grooves, funky basslines and electronic strut, not to mention Roots’ vocal prowess.

The single features a wealth of tasty remixes from Sebastian, Andrew Weatherall, Heartbreak and SX, as well as the original Roots Manuva version of ‘Watch Me Dance’.

 Toddla T – Watch Me Dance feat. Roots Manuva

 Toddla T – Take it Back

via Toddla T

Toddla T – Take It Back (Dillon Francis Remix)

One of the UK’s brightest talents Toddla T rolls into Dublin town for a show this Sunday in the POD on Harcourt Street.

Frequent readers will know only too well that I’m a massive fan of this guy. I’m still hooked on the thumping electronic dancehall strut of his 2009 debut Skanky Skanky. Somehow I’ve yet to catch him live, a trend that looks like continuing beyond Sunday night (Damn you Sundays!).

Anyway, it gives me the chance to share this crushing remix of his new single, ‘Take It Back’, from LA producer Dillon Francis, who’s own stock has been rising recently.

Keep your eyes and ears peeled for his next and debut Ninja Tune album, Watch Me Dance, which will feature Roisin Murphy, Skream, Wayne Marshall and Ms Dynamite and others.

Toddla T plays the POD on Harcourt Street this Sunday, May 1st. Tickets €12/Doors 10.30.

Download: Toddla T – Take It Back (Dillon Francis Remix)