Crookers, the Italian DJ-production duo of Bot and Phra, have been the source of quite a bit of hype for some time now, breaking into the scene with their 2008 hit remix of Kid CuDi’s Day ‘N’ Nite. Since then they have released a couple of EPs, but these served as little more than fillers until the release of their debut LP Tons of Friends, which is finally out.

From a first glance at the tracklist, it looks as if Crookers may have gone down the same path as Tiësto and Simian Mobile Disco by collaborating with quite a few different vocalists (and in this case also other producers) for this LP. From Kelis to Soulwax, there a total of 24 collaborators over 18 tracks – hence the title Tons of Friends, I assume.

However, Crookers aren’t producing typical dance music. Their sound has progressed quite a bit over the last two years, and the result is a very an intriguing and danceable blend of electro and hip-hop, with some very heavy dubstep and techno influences.

Importantly, it is also a sound that very much suits having featured rappers and vocalists. The album begins with the surreal We Love Animals. The lone instrumental track on the record, it’s a banger, the collaboration with Soulwax and Mixhell producing an inventive, catchy electro-house track (slightly reminiscent of Joakim’s Drumtrax ).

Next up, No Security, is more along the lines of the rest of the album, dropping the tempo to a squelching, dubstep influenced hip-hop style. Kelis provides the vocals, fitting together well with the Crookers’ beats to produce another highlight. Unfortunately, this is followed by Natural Born Hustler, a much less inspired and altogether clichéd track featuring Pitbull.

However, the tracks are all relatively compact, providing enough change and interest to let a few misses slip by. The collaboration with will.i.am is a surprisingly catchy dancehall-influenced track, quite reminiscent of Major Lazer (who also appear later on in the album).

There are a couple of definite standout tracks. First is Hip Hop Changed, featuring newcomer Rye Rye. It pretty much sums up all that is good about this album: fresh, catchy beats and an excellent collaboration with an exciting talent.
This is followed by another standout, Cooler Couleur, featuring French it-girl Yelle. Although little more laidback and cool than Hip Hop Changed, it definitely has a unique appeal.

It’s hard to pick one, but possibly the best track on the album is Remedy, featuring Swedish producers Miike Snow. A lot less hip-hop infused than most of the tracks on the album, Remedy takes on an almost deep house feel, with swirling vocals and an incredibly catchy yet subtle hook. About as haunting as electro can be, Crookers and Miike Snow have created a gem of a track.

That said, the album does have a few misses too. There is a fine line between being raunchily sex-infused and being crude. For the most part the album stays on the racy side, but I have doubts about Tee-Pee Theme, pretty much one minute and forty seconds of Drop The Lime repeating “strip it down, slap it up, wrap it up, stick it in”.

However, due to the innovative nature of the album, there were bound to be a few duds. For the most part, Tons of Friends is an LP of catchy, interesting and fresh sounds and collaborations. More than a couple here are surefire hits. Expect to hear quite a bit from this collection in the next few months: Crookers have created what is bound to be one of the standout albums of 2010.

Tons of Friends is out now on Southern Fried Records through Liberator Records. Crookers headline We Love Sounds and Winter Sound System around the country this winter. The album tracklist is below.

1. We Love Animals – Crookers feat Soulwax & Mixhell
2. No Security – Crookers feat Kelis
3. Natural Born Hustler – Crookers feat Pitbull
4. Lets Get Beezy – Crookers feat Will I Am
5. Park The Truck – Crookers feat Spank Rock
6. Hold Up Your Hand – Crookers feat Roisin Murphy
7. Hip Hop Changed – Crookers feat Rye Rye
8. Cooler Couleur – Crookers feat Yelle
9. Birthday Bash – Crookers feat The Very Best, Marina & Dargen D’amico
10. Put Your Hands On Me – Crookers feat Kardinal Offishal & Carla Marie
11. Royal T – Crookers feat Roisin Murphy
12. Remedy – Crookers feat Miike Snow
13. Arena – Crookers feat Poirier & Face-T
14. Tee-Pee Theme – Crookers feat Drop The Lime
15. Transilvania – Crookers feat Steed Lord
16. Have Mercy – Crookers feat Carrie Wilds
17. Jump UP – Crookers feat Major Lazer, Leftside & Supahype
18. Lone White Wolf – Crookers feat Tim Burgess
19. Day N’ Nite (Acapella Skit)
20. Embrace The Martian – Crookers feat Kid Cudi