Toby Tobias (London, UK)
Key player of ‘deep funk-fuelled’ electronic music from Rekids spills the jelly beans
Text by Flora Yin-Wong | Published 18 January 2010
Long releasing on Matt ‘Radio Slave’ Edwards and James Masters’ label Rekids as well as Bearfunk, Tirk, Tiny Sticks, and Jisco, Toby Tobias has been making a breed of groove-filled lo-fi disco, with tracks featuring guest vocals from Kathy Diamond and collaborations with Mythical Beast and Danny Clark whom he runs a night with. Moving between deeper sounds on ‘Don’t Wait A Minute’ to more upbeat tracks such as ‘Beyond Contact’, Tobias has also turned his hands to remixing Das Volt, Chaz Jankel and in turn has been remixed by Prins Thomas and Mirau label owner/tropical electronic producer Tensnake. Reminiscent of summer days under the shade, it is exactly Tobias’ form of sultry smooth dance music that fits into the return of deep house and trending soul and funk or disco elements in dance music such as with the increasing popularity of labels like New York’s Wolf + Lamb and Under The Shade.
DD: Your music mix seems to mix a range of electronic and analogue elements as well- how would you like to describe your work?
Toby Tobias: Umm… deep… funk fuelled, often uplifting, sometimes spacelike, heads-down get your groove on, late-night disco dance music.
DD: What do you think you bring to songs when you remix them?
TT: Danceabilty. A different perspective. Some of my personality. The funk.
DD: Where is your favourite place to play and why?
TT: So far it has been St Petersburg, Tokyo, Belgrade, London (on a good day)… but anywhere in the sun is always good!
WHAT’S…
…special about you?
That’s not for me to say really without sounding massively big-headed I reckon? I’m pretty good at most ball sports!
…your worst vice?
No comment, my mum might be reading! …Oh ok jellybeans
…the world coming to?
After Haiti - it’s not exactly looking rosy, let’s hope we can help them sort themselves out…
…do you eat for breakfast?
Cereal and bananas, jellybeans.
…your favourite website?
Probably latenightaudio.com, just discovered www.tvgorge.com which I think is gonna become the new favourite - although BBC iplayer is boss.
…at the top of your shit list?
People who don’t communicate… London public transport, dodgy phone insurance companies, people who steal iPhones. Latte flavoured jelly beans.
…are you listening to now?
My new masters - for Latenightaudio and Under the Shade.
Nicholas Jaar - A Time For Us.
Floating Points - People Potential
Tensnake - Coma Cat EP
The new Anthony Shakir album
Tiger n Woods - Gin Nation
My new album… sad but true (every frickin’ day!)
The latest dug out dusty ole thing - today it’s a remake of ”Superstition” on a old label called Ebonite
James Teej
‘Space Oddity’
(inc. Remixes from Toby Tobias, My Favorite Robot and Maher Daniel)
My Favorite Robot Records
MFR016
Taking on a cover version of a record such as David Bowie’s seminal ‘Space Oddity’ is not a task for the faint hearted, yet that is exactly what the much lauded James Teej has done with this latest single for the Canadian based My Favorite Robot label. Where many ‘dance music’ covers have failed in the past, with their leaning towards easy commercialism, this version of the much loved classic excels in every way, bringing a new vibe to a legendary composition and showing Teej’s talents as a first rate producer and a damn good vocalist to boot.
Teej has spent the last few years building an enviable reputation with a string of superb singles for the likes of Connect Four, No.19 Music and of course My Favorite Robot Records. He has also remixed for artist such as Trentmoeller and Solee and is signed for an album release on Matt Edwards excellent Rekids imprint.
The ‘Space Oddity’ single launches off with Teej’s original version, a warm, melodic and downright soulful recording that takes the ‘oh so’ familiar lyrics and gently morphs their intonation into a laidback and engaging vocal track. The backing track’s 4/4 rhythm is gently augmented by subtle rolling percussion whilst the rich organ parts give depth and character to this instantly likeable cover.
The remix package comes in four parts, the first of which is a dub from fellow Rekids artist Toby Tobias who turns in an epic ten and a half minute slow house workout build round a stunning bass heavy groove. Snippets of the vocal swirl round the mix before being joined by a simple acidic top line and Detroit inspired sythn stabs, this is perfect piece of late night tackle that is bound to be a big hit for the new year and beyond. Next up we have label bosses My Favorite Robot who take a stripped back approach, delivering a deep and hypnotic version that lends itself perfectly to the cosmic slanted vocal. This mix draws you in from the opening bar and keeps you the hooked to the final fade. Montreal based producer Maher Daniel steps up next and gives us an insight into why his music has been picked up by labels such as Get Physical, Bedrock and Souvenir. His remix turns up the dancefloor intensity a notch and provides a heads down house cut that is pure class. Closing the package Toby Tobias returns with his fourteen and a half minute ‘Plane Love remix’, a monumental piece of dubby house that builds its way towards an intense and masterful climax; a wonderful conclusion in a great package.
The Robots and their merry band of musical minstrels are taking the good ship MFR into new and unchartered seas and the results are damn impressive. Roll on 2010….
James Teej’s ‘Space Oddity’ is released on My Favorite Robot Records in February 2010
Here is some early feedback:
Robert Owens
“Toby’s Dub, great groove, Love it”
Jamie Jones (Crosstown Rebels)
“Really like the MFR remix”
Nick Curly (8Bit)
“Very good release – Full support!”
Osunlade (Yoruba)
“Nice and deep…Loving the evolution of James!”
Ripperton
“Really soulful release. Hard to choose as all is good but the original has that old flavour that gives me the smile. Thanks”
Zev Eisenberg (Wolf & Lamb)
“Oddly awesome! Original mix & Toby’s Plane Love remix do it for me”
Thomas Schumacher
“Massive Maher Daniel remix. Holy cow. Will give it a try.”
Yannick Labbe (Trickski / Innervisions)
“WOW!!! This is a killer ep! I do like all the mixes, original is great, TT mixes are deffo dancefloor fillers, but the MFR mix…that one kills it completely! And the TT plane love mix! And, and, and….will play, play, and play!
Danilo Plessow ( motor city drum ensemble )
lovely mixes u sent me bro playing the dub!
especially love the beginning with the sick basses : my thing!
Ever looking for inspiration and digging for sounds, samples and obscurities I came across this three part original sound recording from the (little known by me but) legendary night NYC spot the ‘Cobra’s Lair’. The Cobra’s Lair used to be the home of one of NYC’s most underground and celebrated Disco Pioneers Francis Grasso also know for his night THE SANCTUARY. A latin mixed / gay night spot know for some of the best and most decadent after hours club nights though the late 70’s.
HERE IS A GRASSO MIX PARTS 7, 6 & 5 (All I COULD LOCATE)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mDU
The Cobras Lair : Here is an account from Luis-Mario (Flaco) Orellana: professional DJ career in 1970 at the Cobra Club.
“A dream came true when I was asked to play at an After Hours (9p-7a). The place was called Cobra’s, a most decadent atmosphere where the artist will come to hang out from musicians to actors. Cobra’s was on the 7th floor of 18th & Broadway, owed by Dennis Johnson/Dennis Cobra and John… The ambiance started in the elevated where a dancer from the Trocedero Ballet Co. (a gay ballet company) would welcome you with a differently decorated cock every Friday and Saturday night.
7 floors up you walked into a living room where the hostesses were several Cobras in a large enclosed acquarium. You could actually trip your night away watching these snakes munch on guinea pigs and rabbits. Enough said!!! What a trip of a job that was - I loved it.”
Toby Tobias Returns from Tokyo. To mark the release of the new Toby Tobias remix for Satoshi Tomiie Madrugada (SAW RECORDINGS) Toby was invited to play the world famous Air Club in Tokyo. The Air Club in Tokyo http://www.air-tokyo.com/ is regarded as one of the best clubs in Japan and hosts some of the biggest and best names of the dance music world.
The legendary Satoshi Tomiie original mix of Madrugada has received critical acclaim. You can hear it here.
A mix to mark the Late Night Audio Party at Honey Sound System San Francisco, November 2009. On this mix you will find a selection of tracks from the Late Night Audio archives and from pre-release Late Night Audio tracks for 2010. Included in this mix is the new hot remix from Motor City Drum Ensemble out Feb 2010, exclusive tracks from Danny Clark and Toby Tobias and some Late Night Audio unreleased Edits. Enjoy.
1) Hiroshima Odiri: Echoes (4:28) : Arista Recordings
2) Patti Duke : Cloud One : East Side Recordings (Re-issue)
3) Cold Modina : Re-Edit
4) Gayle Adams : Love Fever : Prelude
5) Toby Tobias : Macasu : (Motor City Drum Ensemble Remix) : Late Night Audio Recordings (Unmastered)
6) Barbara Tucker : Duck Beats : Strickly Rhythm : (6.00)
7) LIME : Your My Magician (Instrumental) : (7.32) N.Y.C Beats : CDR
9) Patti Labele : Looking for Loving : (Unknown Edit)
10) Open House : Seven Day Weekend : Lethal Recordings (5.48)
11) Danny Clark & Toby Tobias : Deep Distraction : Late Night Audio Recordings (Unmastered)
12) Jermain Jackson : Lets Get Serious : Motown.
13) Grackle : Jungle : Unit 4 Mix : Discos Capablanca
14) Toby Tobias : Paradise Dub : CDR (Unmastered)
15) Fuckaponydelic : Switch The Light : White Test.
16) Azari & III : Hungry for The Power : Permanent Vacation : CD
tracklist
space - carry on ,turn me on ( an2 remix )
simian mobile disco - cruel intentions ( maurice fulton remix )
gaz nevada - ic love affair ( from disco discharge euro disco comp )
toby tobias feat Kathy diamond - a little bit more ( from forthcoming album )
cottam - cottam 2
Azari and III - Reckless with your Love
Faze Action feat Yam Who and Mary Moore - In the light of a miracle ( from the album A tribute to Arthur Russell )
Ajello - Hot July - Pete Herbert Remix
Ganymed - Black Hole 5
??? - Paradub
6th borough project - how can i show you
N.Y.C Beats : CDR
