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The FORT KNOX FIVE have the midas touch for producing heavy hitting records. Since 2003, they have released an arsenal of floor rocking singles and remixes from their Washington DC based label, Fort Knox Recordings.
Sid Barcelona, Jon Horvath, Rob Myers and Steve Raskin are the masterminds behind the FORT KNOX FIVE. Their signature ‘Fort Knox Sound’ seamlessly interweaves live instrumentation with funky electronic breakbeats. In 2006 they released the critically acclaimed ‘The New Gold Standard’ to showcase the groundbreaking sounds from their premier funk and soul label.
The FORT KNOX FIVE’s talent for organic hooks has made them highly sought after producers and remixers. They have over 20 remixes to their credit, including monster mixes for A. Skillz and Krafty Kuts, Kraak & Smaak, Ursula 1000, Dynamo Productions, and Mo’ Horizons, as well as remixes for the legendary Tito Puente, Louis Armstrong, and Bob Marley. The FORT KNOX FIVE has coined the term ‘Reminted’ to represent their signature remixing style. They released the first ‘Reminted’ CD showcasing some of their favorite productions in a continuous DJ mix in 2007.
Further cementing the FORT KNOX FIVE’s reputation, Afrika Bambaataa—the godfather of hip-hop—asked them to produce four tracks on his latest album Dark Matter Moving at the Speed of Light released on the legendary Tommy Boy Label.
Tapped by URB Magazine for its annual “Next 100” list, the FORT KNOX FIVE’s music has been featured on major compilation, films, television shows, commercials and video games. Most recently their music has been featured in the FRINGE tv show on Fox, and video games Tiger Woods 2009 & Facebreaker. They also finished exclusive production on six original interactive tracks in the Fort Knox style for EA Sports’ Skate 2 & Skate It game soundtracks.
As DJs, they know how to rock a party with infectious grooves that effortlessly move from funk, reggae, and hip-hop to prime time beats & breaks. Their unique DJ style has proven irresistible to clubgoers worldwide. They have performed on 5 continents, and in over 25 different countries. Their music & skills caught the attention of Gwen Stefani, who asked the FORT KNOX FIVE to be her tour DJs for her Harajuku Lovers tour with the Black Eyed Peas.
For their highly anticipated debut album, RADIO FREE D.C., the FORT KNOX FIVE took things back to their roots, and kept the vibe centered around the city they love, Washington D.C. Home to many pioneering artists like Marvin Gaye, Chuck Brown and Fugazi, they draw upon their city’s rich musical heritage of funk, soul, punk and hip-hop for their inspiration. The FORT KNOX FIVE invited their close friends from around the Nation’s Capitol, including Asheru (Unspoken Heard), Mustafa Akbar, Rootz & Zeebo (See-I), Sleepy Wonder, Javier Miranda, and Ian Svenonius (Nation of Ulysses/The Make Up) to help them create a record that captures DC’s musical diversity.
In July of 2009, RADIO FREE D.C. REMIXED was released and featured 16 dancefloor remixes of original tunes from the RADIO FREE D.C. album. Such luminaries as The Nextmen, A Skillz, Nick Thayer, Deekline & Ed Solo featuring Shunda K, Malente, and Sub Swara lent a hand to rework these songs into a completely new form.
The Fort Knox Five have just released their next label compilation, The New Gold Standard 2, which features 4 new Fort Knox Five songs along with new tunes from their Fort Knox Recordings label mates.
+ ALL FUNK ALLIANCE
All Good Funk Alliance are to funky Breaks what Inland Knights are to funky House. The kinda-under-the-radar guys who are both prolific and consistently awesome. Like the Knights, these dudes simply do not put out a bad track.
+ THUNDERBALL
The “Ambassadors of Style” return with their fourth full-length recording, 12 Mile High, on Thievery Corporation’s ESL Music. Rob Myers, Steve Raskin and Sid Barcelona are the masterminds behind Thunderball. This Washington, DC-based trio are globally renowned purveyors of sophisticated, stereophonic-thrillers, and cinematic dub. Since 1997 their productions have shifted effortlessly between the genres of drum’n’bass, dub and downtempo, building a strong following for their signature sound. 12 Mile High marks the return of the Thunderball trio from their duties with the venerable breakbeat production group Fort Knox Five.
On 12 Mile High Thunderball deliver 13 tracks of globe-spanning, mind-altering, cinematic music designed to bring you straight to the edge of the stratosphere. The adventure begins in a sitar-drenched den and quickly jets to the gritty streets of Philadelphia where the plot gets thickened with an herbal dub. When the clouds clear you find yourself on a bossa tinged beach with only a reggae soul 7″ in your briefcase and ticket to the penthouse suite. 12 Mile High is packed with live-instrumentation, jazzed-out guitars, deep orchestrations and floor-stomping beats. Laced with vocal performances by long-time collaborators Mustafa Akbar, Miss Johnna M and Rootz & Zeebo (of See-I), this soundtrack is destined to pull you into the fantastical world of Thunderball.
As one of ESL Music’s original artists, Thunderball rapidly defined their sound with their 1999 debut which received critical acclaim from Rolling Stone magazine. Ambassadors of Style earned the group respect for its rich, cinematic soundscapes that are reminiscent of old blaxploitation and spy films. This was followed by 2001’s seminal release, Scorpio Rising, instantly hailed as a downtempo classic. Scorpio Rising’s integration of live instrumentation helped establish the organic vibe that is the cornerstone of the Thunderball sound. On their third release Cinescope (2006), Thunderball upped the ante with fresh elements including collaborations with the godfather of hip hop, Afrika Bambaataa. 12 Mile High is the culmination of over a decade of sonic exploration in the Thunderball realm.
Thunderball will be performing select shows as DJs and as a trio with live instrumentation and visual projections to support the new album. Currently in production are high profile remixes from some of today’s leading edge producers. Visit www.eslmusic.com and www.thunderballdc.com for updates and tour dates.
12 Mile High will be available on CD and iTunes on Novermber 9th, 2010 on ESL Music.
$10
10PM
21+ |
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