The LocALe – Craig Anderson, Suhaib Rashdi and Luke Fair
barney | Sep 03, 2009 | Comments 8
Though we’re busting our asses to make it in this city, we’ve never really been on the pulse of the music coming from it. I could hijack this post with excuses as to why we haven’t supported talent from Toronto more, but none of them have anything to do with music, so I’ll stay on point and focus on what this should really be all about.
Miss Mo’Bliss has called me out for not being into the wicked sounds of our home town. And you know she’s right, I’m so wrapped up in music from all over the world, I don’t often enough pay attention to the cool underground locals. So with Sam’s inspiration, aka scolding, I’ve finally been motivated to get this column started by searching out choons from three of the coolest guys I’ve ever met in the T.O. scene.
Craig Anderson is straight up a dope dude. Super genuine, musically tuned and I’ve come to realize, an awesome DJ too. From all-vinyl trips down memory lane to the funky progressive house he knows I’m a sucker for, Craig’s live studio mixes have kept me groovin’ at my desk all summer long. This August promo is loaded with tunes of today; deep, bumpy and funky.
Download (left-click and unzip):
Craig Anderson – Promo Mix – August 2009
God we miss Atif. Nights out just haven’t been the same since he left. But he did leave us with a legacy of cool club kids that we probably wouldn’t have met if it wasn’t for him. And at the top of Atif’s DJ list for me is Suhaib Rashdi.
A graphic design student at the Ontario College of Art & Design, I heard Suhaib spin at one of Atif’s after parties. By far the best I heard go off in that dining room, Suhaib’s fresh selections definitely set him apart from the Toronto norm. Add the fact he has 15 releases on Beatport, this is seriously a talent to look out for in this city. How can you not love a guy who’s favourite quote is from Willy Wonka; €˜We are the music makers. And we are the dreamers of dreams.’? Classic!
Download (left-click and unzip):
Suhaib Rashdi – Metaphors - August 3, 2009
Suhaib Rashdi – We_re Going Nowhere – May 15, 2009
I’ll end the post with one excuse, Luke Fair. My chatter box style has come in handy from time to time, and one of those times was the day I approached Luke to tell him how cool I thought his music was. From that night on Luke’s fun, always fresh style has laid out the blue print to my best night on the dance floor, the subway, in the cubical, the gym, the car, on the patio… freakin’ everywhere. Luke knows how to play it all, as he does in his two mixes of the summer of ’09. Luke continues to get better, and with two Macedonian geniuses now nearby, buddy is gonna be bigger than ever by 2010.
Download (left-click and unzip):
Luke Fair – Porterhouse on Sirius Radio – September 2, 2009
Luke Fair – Summer Promo – July 2009
Filed Under: btb BEATS
noice brutha.
I’ve been away from Toronto for 2 years now and no matter how long I stay away I will always know my passion for this music came from bringthebeats and Toronto, the place were my musical tastes matured and my dance skill flourished hehe. Despite the contstant promoter politics and the people who just wont stop listening to djs I would have liked maybe 10 years ago there are people in the city trying to make a difference, and we owe a lot of that to you G! Toronto locals do need to be heard because there is so much talent in the city so thanks for this
Luke brought me closer to the music that I love and closer to the whole btb crew, I will never forget those early days at System when I first started to know all of you. Now that Im in the position to book Luke at the best club in Dubai, well its like a dream come true. These mixes of his are amazing, I love the gritter side of the summer promo and the funky smooth sounds of the Porterhouse mix, Luke doing what he does best. I cant wait for Oct, I get to hear Luke spin twice! The only thing that would make it better was if you were all here to enjoy it with me! At least I have Atif now heheh
Nice one Lisa, thanks. So wish we could be with you and Atif as well. One day.
BTW… photo credit to Adri from her bro’s condo balcony. Amazing eh?
Aye aye…I met Craig at the RR&R BBQ back at WMC of ’05 and thought he was fierce! and yes indeed he is “a straight up a dope dude”. Craig introduced me to Luke Fair that day back in March 05 and that made my WMC. I also have come to realize he a sweet DJ too. I’ve kept in touch with Craig thru that procrastinators dream we all call Facebook. He has sent me some mixes over the last few months that have kept my head boppin and my body a-chuggin at my desk whilst pretending to look busy…good work fella…recognition well deserved…
…oh yeh and look out mate I intend to come over from Aus to MIA for WMC’11…then hopefully a week chillin in that Toronto…it’s been a while eh?
niiiiiiiicely done!!!!!
thanku for giving us a flavour of what our vibrant city has to offer – yes, we’ve got some crazy talent in the 416!!
>> You started with some of the best in the locALe, let’s keep churning the cream to see who else is out there
Luke is fiyah! counting the days to his I&U gig in Oct…
Thank you Gregor for posting and for the kind words as well! Much appreciated. I’m glad you’ve enjoyed…whether old or new mixes!
I’ve had a blast over the past while hangin, chatting, drinking, partying with you and the crew…and hope there to be a few more!
Scott…thanks matey! I’ll try to keep plugging them out and sending to you. Glad you’re enjoying them!
(and it was WMC ’06)
Thanks guys!
No surprise, two more fAb Luke mixes! been listening to them for weeks now, thx Gregor!