Tony Quattro – OOTF EP & Promo Mix

Due for release on July 30th, Connecticut based Tony Quattro links up with Bad Taste Records for an 8 track EP hosting 4 originals and 4 remixes.  Tony is a drummer; he knows how to build and hold a groove.  The original productions revolve around a house feel and it’s mainly their breakdowns and sample play that set them apart.  As we’ve come to expect from TQ, these beats are uptempo and exhibit a unique duo of tech and pop sensibility.

While “Doubt” unfortunately escapes the remix treatment, the two re-inventions of “Out on the Floor” happen to induce the most variety to the EP, in terms of genre leanings.  Doctor Jeep offers more grime tinged business ala his Wheez-ie “Big Gulp” remix and Squarehead flips it into a nice tribal groove.  Walter Ego provides a new jack on “Jack’s Back” and as XLR8R just told you, Lean Low sideswipes “Back Swipe.” (Free download via XLR8R see below).

While the label was kind enough to provide the world with a solid tease, Mr. Quattro was kind enough to share the whole EP with me.  I thought I’d continue with the tease and let you know what these jams are telling me.

The title track begins with a funky tribal rhythm before making a left turn after the drop into a minimal groove blending influences of Philly & Jersey house, southern hip hop, UK funky and ballroom.  Don’t ask me how a minimal track can illicit all these inclinations, but you’ll probably hear me play this in and out any of those aforementioned sounds.

“Doubt” stands as the only track without a remix on the release, must admit I’m a little disappointed.  The tracks playful intro taunts at whats to come with laughter and a shuffling stroll.  When the first drop comes in with the vocal line, we’re off on some two-steppin’ house, and I see this sitting alongside 2010 Ramadanman and Joy Orbison tunes quite well.  The vocal play is reminiscent of “Re Ah Do Da Da.”

Up next is “Jack’s Back,” and its built around the hybrid trap house sounds. Sweeping build ups drop into sparse jackin’ house beats with big dirty bass stabs and a jack inducing vocal stutter.

“Back Swipe” pulls at my heartstrings.  Rolling, techy house reminiscent of MA1 with lush stabby synths and a shuffling house groove.  More vocal play as the “back swipe” sample rides the groove in various incantations. Highlight has got to be the vocal percussion break downs pulsing with our favorite dubstep inventor‘s infamous “what” driving the groove

Remixes on deck next. Building a groove around the chant from the original’s intro, Squarehead lays down a tribal drum progression and some washed out synth stabs.  The first breakdown shifts around slightly increasing the tension then dropping back into some tribal drums and percalator-esque sample play.  As the longest track of the EP, each groove and break shift around enough to keep the attention when trying to give your crowd a rest

With his remix of “Jack’s Back,” Walter Ego picks up the pace from the rest of the EP, unleashing a steppy & up-beat ride after a minimal intro sequence.  The second drop adds some rhythmic flavor via salsa like clave play.  The breakdowns will work next to the trap house hybrid sounds while the groove allows you to pick up the energy significantly.  By the time the last drop descends the record is on a true jackin’ feel.

On the Sly alumni Doctor Jeep provides another take on “Out on the Floor,” with grime tinged breakdowns next to grimier basslines and breaks based grooves reminiscent of his remix for Wheez-ie’s “Big Gulp.”  His sample play makes me think of mixing Roska’s “Squark” with Rob Base & EZ Rock’s “It Takes Two.” (Coincidentally both music videos are worth a watch if you have not seen.)

Last track of the EP was recently given away by XLR8R for download here.  Go form your own opinion.

TQ also graciously hooked it up with a mix to celebrate the summer season, including plenty of unreleased TQ jams and even more from his friends.

Tony Quattro – Intro
Tony Quattro – Do You Like it (Daddy) [Unreleased]
Tony Quattro – Fi Di Why? [Unreleased]
Wheez-ie – Big Gulp (Doctor Jeep Remix) [Freshmore]
Benny Banks – Bada Bing (Rudimental Remix) [Dub]
Wheez-ie – Keep Yer Chin Up (Salva Remix) [Embassy Recordings]
Mister Tweeks – Neva Change (Sam Tiba Remix) [Pelican Fly]
Tony Quattro – Out On The Floor (Doctor Jeep Remix) [Bad Taste Records UK]
Tony Quattro – Muthafucka [Unreleased]
T2 – Heartbroken [Next Plateau]
Paleface featuring Sim Simmi – Living My Life (Dj Q Remix) [Northern Line Records]
Self Evident – Sign of The Beast [Dub]
Branko – Going In Hard feat. Dominique Young Unique [Mad Decent]
Baauer – Harlem Shake (Dj Sliink Remix) [Unreleased]
Sinden feat. G. Side – G Like Me (5kinandBone5 4 ThaStreets VIP mix) [Dub]
Dj Sliink – Vibrate (Mike G Remix) [Dub]
Tony Quattro – Break Up (Flubba Remix) [Unreleased]
Dexter – Space Booty [Clone Records]
Mike G – Boost (Dj Sliink Remix) [Car Crash Set]
Rabit – So Clean (Mohegan Son Diq Clean Remix) [Unreleased]
Pasteman – So High [Dub]
Jim-E Stack – Come Between [Good Years]
Disclosure – What’s In Your Head [Greco Roman]
Dubbel Dutch – Open Up [Mixpak]
B. Ames – I’m Not A Bitch (Tyra Sanchez Beat) [Dub]
Tony Quattro – Jack’s Back [Bad Taste Records UK]
Samo Sound Boy – Taking It All (Astronomar Leg Boot) [Dub]
Tony Quattro – The New Dance [Unreleased]

If you like the sounds of my words in your head, you will like the sound of this EP more.  Cop it where ever good music is sold on July 30th 2012.  If you like the sounds of Tony Quattro, follow him on Soundcloud.  Selfish reasons aside, as I know many are waiting on that Good Life flip.