Toolroom Knights Vol. 1 is a two-pack CD filled with zingy, electric beats. Mark Knight's independent dance label, Toolroom Records, and unique club night, Toolroom Knights, are bringing distinctive underground sound to the main stage for everyone to absorb themselves in. This compilation is mixed by two of the labels predominant artists - Martijn Ten Velden and Paul Harris.
Martijn's diverse musical influences shines through this first disc. Over played or not, he has chosen one of my favorite tracks of this year to put on his mix; Tiefschwarz - Damage (feat Tracey Thorn - M.A.N.D.Y remix). Following those catchy vocals comes the Hook & Sling remix of his infectious dance floor anthem "I Wish You Would." He begins to finish off solid with Dirtybird's artist, Justin Martin, and his smasher "Cicada" (Claude Von Stroke 17 Year mix).
Already making a tremendous impact in the greater spectrum of the musical world, Paul Harris brings many years of experience onto the playing field for the second disc of this compilation. I was pretty apprehensive the first time I listened to the disc. The mix seemed to not have much direction but that feeling is eliminated after a few lifeless tracks. Once Wally Lopez, Rene Amesz & Peter Gelderblom's "Strike Me Down" drops, though, the mix gets going. This track is pleasingly audacious and funky. He covers all areas of the board, just as you would expect Paul Harris to do.
Even with just a little knowledge of the background of these two artists, the two mixes are very easy to tell apart (style-wise). Both do a great job of catching your attention and most importantly, keeping it until the very end.
