The Toolroom Knights EP was released by label-boss Mark Knight to promote a new nightclub event concept revolving around bringing some of UK’s newest electro, tech and house producers to the fore. The release has since been followed up by a new EP installment “Leaders of the New-School”. The Toolroom Knights EP, however, features already established producers on the label; Richard Dinsdale, Dave Spoon (of ‘Pulling Me Under’ and ‘At Night’ fame respectively), and Mr Knight himself. ‘Crunch’ is the standout of this EP.

Mark Knight – Susan: An atmospheric and ethereal progressive house builder with subtle string, pan and semi-percussive synth layerings in a far mature, less funky vein than his recent prior releases (the recent ‘Insatiable’ springs to mind). Would do the business for a late night/early morning prog anthem, but not enough spring for my particular dancefloor step.

Richard Dinsdale & Mark Knight – Crunch: This track is incredible and very original. Characteristic electro-tech vocal snippets drop before a heavily tweaked bass run enters and the heavy beat jacks the dancefloor along towards 4am. An uncharacteristic funk horn sample during the breakdown (anyone remember Plump DJ’s 2004 release ‘Creepshow’?) surprises and leaves you thinking “how is this going to work?”, until the beat drops again and the sample fits perfectly within the dirty mix of this electro stomper. Breaky drum and conga fills return the track to its bass heavy glory. Killer tune will be loved by electro-tech lovers in the know.

Dave Spoon & Mark Knight – Afterhours: Tightly swung hats, use of bit-crushing and distortion effects propel this spooky electro-house number long nicely, without reversion to the use of cheese. This is a superbly built track which builds and then deconstructs nicely always pushing and driving the dancefloor. Perfect credible filler to provide the bridge into your next larger tune.