So far in 2011, The Nu-Disco era has become a major factor on every dance floor across the UK. Toby Tobias is considered to be one of the leaders of the resurgence of the genre. Just dropping his 'Underground Disco' compilation on Ministry Of Sound and completing his re-edit of The Hardway Bros' Adonis, Toby explains how his musical mind has developed, his own personal productions and his favourite tracks of all time.
Toby, how would you describe your music now compared to when you first started within the industry?
Hope fully a little bit more advanced sonically and musically - I guess new inspirations come and go all the time
How do you think the disco genre has developed over the last few years?
Well the disco genre is the same as it ever was - I mean it was in the 70's ! - modern disco ? Well ... I guess everyone knows that the nets opened up a bit more with digital - but anyone bothering to make real disco with a real band is more likely to do stand out i reckon - providing the track is good - of course !
What is your favourite disco track ever?
haha ! Wow ! Well let's start with favorite producer - probably Nile Rodgers - his productions are just immense and have a 3 dimensional sound to them that is astonishing - obviously hes made so many killer records - Spacer , anything by Chic , Carly Simon -Why , david bowie - lets dance - any of these could be favorite
...or something a bit deeper and less known might be something off the Prelude label - which was so massively influential to me growing up in music - producers like Francois K , Jonathon Fearing and Eric mathew were standouts for me -
tracks like
Unlimited Touch - I hear music in the street
Electric Funk - On a journey
Nick Straker Band - Staright ahead or A little bit of Jazz
All stone cold classics that l ll never get bored of !
What is the best track you think you have personally done?
Well i think my best is defintly yet to come for sure ! so far - but i think ''The Feeling '' is something to be proud of , Casinoboy - Twilight lady , and my recent track on rekids Afreek which came out on download only !
Sample packages have become a popular entity for the modern producer, which in turn mean a lot of productions sound the same these days. This is why a lot of 'love' so to speak has been lost within the industry. You think thats a fair judgement today?
Hadn't thought about that ? I thought it was more down to the presets in software packages being used - as far as samples go - you just have to be creative with them , and then you will perhaps stand out form the crowd.
How would you describe the Nu-Disco genre today?
I dont think anyone wants to be categorised as Nu disco ? - its a cheap marketing term , its all dance music - techno , house , or disco or somewhere in between :)
You must be in the know of who we can look out for? what tracks and artists are your playing out the most?
Look out for The Mythical Beasts , Marcus Marr , Das Volt , Alphabet City , Mankind , The Love Above , Les Aeroplanes , Max Essa , Golf Channel , Mark E , deep Space Orchestra , Mock and Toof -
All these peeps got great things coming ( i might have a vested interest in a few :)
Finally, where do you see the Disco genre in a few years? all other genres seem to come to the limelight then fade into the distance, do you think disco will always outlast the others?
Disco, soul and boogie will continue to inspire producers and DJS until the end of time !!!