That’s right, he’s back and deeper and even more intoxicating than before.
First broken by Jimpster on the Freerange Radio show, this fresh EP has seen heavyweight support from the likes of Laurent Garnier, Ripperton, Vinny Da Vinci, Lars Behrenroth, Rich Medina, Charles Webster, Volcov, thatmanmonkz and many more….
Check out a selection of reactions we’ve received, and take a listen for yourself!
Laurent Garnier: ‘SUPERB EP‘
Jimpster: ‘Very nice EP this! Heat Haze and Shimmer are tops.’
Charles Webster: ‘i really like ‘heat haze’ and ‘shimmer’..classy and musical.’
Lars Behrenroth: ‘HEAT! HEAT! HEAT! Love this release .. stunning 11/10′
Vinny Da Vinci: ‘Absolute DOPENESS!!!’
Flori: ‘Heat Haze is lovely. Feeling the percussion and the blissed out 80s synth work. Cheers!’
Cottam: ‘Heat Haze & Possibilities are fucking ace!!!!! Crackers!!!! Will defo get played by me… ‘
Hercules & Love Affair: ‘nice balearic moods dig’
Pete Herbert: ‘Love this Ep.’
Ugly Drums: ‘dopeness , like this a lot!’
Tristan Da Cunha (20:20 / Back To Basics / Dungeon Meat): ‘…Great moods , really interesting sound and production. My ears are locked and looking for more … Great release. ‘
Chicago Damn (Merc/Wolf Music/QuintessentialsClaremont 56): ‘Very nice! Lots of character :)’
m50 / Area (Wave Music/Ethereal Sound): ‘Very fluid, funky, compelling stuff. Full support.’
Lay-Far: ‘Love it. Thank you!’
Fish Go Deep: ‘Very tasty EP with a lovely warm sound and loose vibe across all three tracks. Will be playing.’
Suitdancer, according to creator Marcus Harris is an attempt to distil the vibe of the “electronic music, inherited soul records and cult VHS films I consumed as a kid”.
Åme called Suitdancer’s first EP a contender for record of the year. It also received support from King Britt, Gerd, Ethyl, Red Rack’em, Sleazy Beats and loads more DJ’s… as well as plays from Tom Ravenscroft, BBC 6 Music, Rinse and many others.
Marcus Harris, is one half of Tone Control, who have been progressively releasing their own brand of electronic soul for over 8 years, appealing to house music and leftfield DJ’s alike. Following the release of their critically acclaimed “Illusion” single, lauded by Theo Parrish and Kerri Chandler, the duo went on to find wider appeal with their smash “Take Me Away” ft. Adeola Ranson, and subsequent singles “Without Your Love” ft. James B. Coleman and “Starting with Me” with Robert Owens.
Written by Marcus Harris, published by Tone Control Music, administered by Haripa Music UK. All instruments performed by Marcus Harris. Produced by Marcus Harris. Mixed by Matthew Bandy. Artwork by Haydn Davies.
Special thanks to our good friend Levi Love, for hooking me up to play at the awesome Soup Kitchen in Manchester with him and the legendary Craig Smith from 6th Borough Project in December. It was top fun all round, and i was sober enough to record it! More audio from the night to come later.
Tone Control originator, Marcus Harris has been working on the follow up to his head turning debut EP as Suitdancer… Promo’s are going out this week ahead of it’s worldwide release on 23rd Feb. You can grab it early at Beatport from 9th Feb. We’ll post previews to Soundcloud in the coming weeks!
Our Brooklyn connect DJ Spinna, has been working on a dope new compilation of his remixes for BBE. He selected his remix of our record with James Coleman, “Without Your Love”, and we’re chuffed that its going to be on vinyl! Listen again below. If you’re wax lover, you can order it here
“One of my favourite tracks of the year. Big support on this!” 10/10 Sean McCabe (GB)
“HEAT RIGHT THERE!!!!” 10/10 Vinny Da Vinci | Urban Beat (SA)
“amazing work right here, woke me right up getting my ears around this ep… all four are working for me… different gravy ;)))” 10/10 DJ Caspa | Rinse FM (GB)
“love this release!” 10/10 Moodymanc (GB)
“I love it ! Thanks” 10/10 Nacho Marco | Loudeast (ES)
“Really dig’n this, bouncey, smart and soulful…nice! Thanks.” 10/10 Brett Johnson (US)
“Opolopo never dissapoints! Love Be Enough (Original) and Feel it most of all! Big up!” 9/10 Lay-Far (RU)
“Wicked!!!” 9/10 Master Kev (US)
“S’that fiya! I would expect nothing else from Tone Control, Opolopo, and Shea Soul, but, still, heavyweight!” 9/10 thatmanmonkz (GB)
“Superb EP, as expected from a fine ass label/producer/vocalist combo. Will be playing Be Enough and Feel It on the we_ctrl show i’m sure. Big loves! X” 9/10 Tomson | we_ctrl (GB)
“Nice Ep from Opolopo! coool soulful underground stuff We love the Shea’s voice! Thank you bro!” 9/10 Souldynamic (IT)
“Liking this very much, thanks guys!” 8/10 Giom (GB)
“Brilliant vocal and baseline!” 8/10 Todd Edwards (US)
“Yes please! All tracks doing it for me. Great production as usual with a strong song and vocal and all round swinging goodness. Will be playing on radio and dance floor.” 8/10 Fish Go Deep (IE)
“love this- great skills from a talented man” 8/10 Luke Solomon (GB)
Producer extraordinaire, Opolopo and talented chanteuse, Shea Soul team up for a serious slice of soulful deep house.
“Be Enough” has all the hallmarks of a modern house classic. Shea Soul delivers a bold vocal performance for Opolopo’s confident urban house groove, that blends garage and contemporary house flavours. Instrumental heads should turn to the Dub remix; Opolopo builds tension, taking things on a darker, more bass-led route. “Feel It” provides synth-led broken house vibes tying up this exceptional record.
Opolopo is a musician, DJ, remixer, composer and all-round production wizard, who can turn his hand to funk, house, or future soul at ease, which makes him one of Europe’s most talented producers.
Influenced from early age by Herbie Hancock, Quincy Jones, Jean-Michel Jarre, Isao Tomita, and Kraftwerk, Opolopo now plays as a one-man band from London to Tokyo (equipped with keyboards and vocoder). His music spans over a decade on labels JVC Japan, Warner Brothers, Sony/BMG, Tru Thoughts, Om Records, Local Talk, and Especial Records. Collaboration/remix highlights include the legendary Dazz Band, Craig David, Mr. V, Lanu, Simon Grey, Ok_Ma, Mpho Skeef, Eska, and Sacha Williamson. On the underground tip, his bootleg remixes of Michael Jackson, Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross, and Erykah Badu have music connoisseurs worldwide in a frenzy.
Shea Soul’s musical career has taken a distinctly independent route since leaving the renowned BRIT school. Since then Shea has worked with the likes of Toddla T, Basement Jaxx, Bugs in the Attic, Zed Bias, Calvin Harris, Example, and Shy FX to name a few. Writing and featuring on hit club tracks such as ‘Make it Funky For Me’ with Attacca Pesante, and ‘Perfectly’ with the Layabouts, music has paved the way for Shea. She’s performed to thousands of people worldwide, singing at festivals and stages covering Japan, South Africa, and Europe including London Wembley arena, and Hamburg’s famous Mojo Club, and her writing and vocals have featured on released singles globally. We hope you’ll agree “Be Enough” captures Shea’s unique voice, style and charm in a soon to be prominent addition to her repertoire.
“Be Enough” written by Peter Major, published by Tone Control Music and Shea Soul, published by Copyright Control. “Feel It” written by Peter Major, published by Tone Control Music. All tracks produced, mixed and mastered by Peter Major. All Instruments by Peter Major. Vocals on “Be Enough” performed by Shea Soul, recorded by Leigh Darlow at Earthworks Studios, London. Executive producer: Simon Finnegan.
Audio preview coming soon. Release Date: 10 March 2014
Tone Control Music return to your ears with a collaboration from electronic deep house producer, Tomson and soul songstress, Fyza. Determined lyrics, and analogue chords cruise along live bass in a future boogie styled original, while Tomson provides house-heads a darker dance floor version in his self styled dub. Zed Bias engineered the recording, and Matthew Bandy set the faders right, to make this 16th, all original, Tone Control Music release.
Tomson is most notably known for his work on Freerange, Huddtraxx, Morris Audio, Kolour, Illusion, Urban Torque and his own we_ctrl label among many others. In a relatively short career, his productions have received support from DJ’s such as Josh Wink, Laurent Garnier, Deetron, Paul Woolford and BBC Radio 1’s Mosca. As a resident DJ at Manchester’s infamous Development parties, Tomson played alongside luminaries such as Masters at Work, Ron Trent, Lil’ Louis, Danny Krivit, Kerri Chandler, Dixon, Larry Heard and many others. Taking his influences in equal measure from soul and hip hop as deep house and techno, Tomson’s music comfortably morphs together inspirations old and new.
Singer, songwriter, vocal producer and make-up artist, Fyza is a truly multi-talented creative. Fyza has been established as a UK soul artist in her own right, releasing a consistent flow of music since the 90’s, with underground hits such as “Poetical Love”. Moving into House music circles in recent years, Fyza has worked with producers such as Zed Bias (as Phuturistix), DJ Kawasaki (Kyoto Jazz Massive, EMI Japan), and Phil Asher for his singles “Look at What We’ve Done” (Archive) and “Take Me Away” (Mn2s). Fyza writes and produces vocals for several up and coming artists on both sides of the Atlantic, and has worked with The Black Opera in Detroit.
At the end of June, we had a right ‘ol knees up at Manchester’s brilliant Boogizm party – i got to play to loads of soul and boogie, and they loved it. It was special – Big love to Tom, Chris and all the Boogizm party people!
I recorded a mix for them before we went up there – so give it a listen for some old soulful vibes and lefty deep house…
Music from David McCallum, The Dells, Erykah Badu, Amel Larrieux, Lion Babe, Les Sins, Carlos Nilmmns, Alex Barck, Suitdancer, DeeJay Kul, Medlar, Randee Jean, Deadly Sins, MCDE and Romanthony
Enjoy!
for bookings contact: simon@tonecontrolmusic.co.uk
Check out the video for Overproof by thatmanmonkz. Directed by Ellis Farrell, this isn’t quite your average dance music video – more on the heavy battenburg tip!
