Music Matters - Faithless ft Cass - Toolrooms 100th release with Artwork by Goldie!

You’d struggle to find many long-standing labels in our current electronic music scene, who still have the passion for what they do and who still do it for the ‘love of the music’, than Toolroom Records. In the creative hub of their Maidstone HQ, Toolroom are responsible for many of todays club ‘anthems’ and have now reached their monumental 100th release!

Pulling out all the stops for this mammoth occasion, Toolroom have signed the single ‘Music Matters’ by the legendary Faithless which features the vocal talents of Cass Fox. The label has called in heavyweight remixers, Axwell, Pete Heller, Rollo & Sister Bliss, as well as Toolroom Head Honcho Mark Knight to form a great single package. The icing on the cake comes in the form of Goldie, who has created the artwork for ‘Music Matter’s'.

Toolroom say, “We’re extremely proud to have Faithless on board for our 100th release, we feel after 6 years & 100 releases signing a band of their magnitude really shows how far we have come as a label and brand. For us, ‘Music Matters’ perfectly encapsulates the ethos & idea behind starting Toolroom. Goldie was a great choice for the artwork, a well respected name who has always pushed the creative boundaries, a perfect collaboration all round.”

Toolroom originally started out as an outlet for Mark’s music, but quickly evolved into a home for established and up & coming artists. In a time of decreasing sales they saw a niche in the market for a forward thinking and approachable independent label that operates within a structured business model.  They were one of the first labels to embrace the digital revolution and one of the first to sell mp3s from their own website. Gaining strength & reputation year on year, with hits such as Dubfire’s ‘Roadkill’, D Ramirez & Mark Knight’s ‘Colombian Soul’, Fedde le Grand’s ‘Just Trippin’, the award winning ‘Man With The Red Face’ by Mark Knight & Funkagenda, the chart topping hit ‘At Night’ that later became ‘Bad Girl’ feat Lisa Maffia with Dave Spoon, and most recently ‘Baditude’ by Spoon, Harris & Obernik. It’s their knack of signing great singles that have made Toolroom into one of the leading indie label & lifestyle brands.

Goldie, who has been making waves in the art world with his cutting edge street art, states…

"To be a successful label nowadays it's not only about the music. Not only are Toolroom good at signing productions, they have a great eye and insight for the art which is now regarded as a key factor in a labels release schedule. Look at what Jamie Reid did for the Sex Pistols for example! I, as an artist, can only work with labels that are cutting it and in this day and age, it's good to be tooled up!" 

The single package starts off with Mark’s remix, which was exclusively played by Pete Tong on Radio 1 last week. A pure tech-house monster, with a driving bassline and a slight ominous overlay... This is what Mark does best, techy to the core, grinding, relentless, with a bassline that vibrates throughout your whole system. Retaining some of the vocal adds to this instant club classic.

Axwell’s take is much more uplifting, and faster than its predecessor; this is a great peak time, big room sound. With a full on vocal, full on piano chords, this remix is the perfect uplifting, sing-a-long hit. Pete Heller’s remix sweeps over you with blissed-out deep house beats with magnificent swoosh’s with an underlying bassline that knocks you for six! The track fluctuates between a sense of foreboding and beautiful orchestral-tinged house. This is a proper, sweaty, 5am underground club sound; a truly evocative track that has soul, a wicked bassline and a guaranteed winner. 

Rollo & Sister Bliss serve up a tasty slice of deep, bleepy beats with Cass’s lush vocals. Simplicity is key here, beautiful orchestral overlays with a delicious bassline that is perfect for pre or post party.

‘Music Matters’ is the perfect package to cement Toolroom’s reputation as one of the leading record labels of the current dance scene. Without a doubt, the ‘djs label’ you can be sure to expect HUGE things in 2009.