So what can we expect from the new album? “Digi kinda life is a combination of electronic music and several live instruments blended with house, rock, rap, chillout, classical and more,” says the young DJ and music producer.
Some of Malta 's finest artists and special guests have contributed to the project, including Shaun Grech (Syrup), Niki Gravino (BMAS Best Newcomer 2004), soprano Brenda Farrugia, rapper and lyricist Dave (Dizzy) Leguesse, upcoming vocal talent Sarah Zammit and more.
Such an eclectic mix of contributors, with such a rich variety of styles, promises well for the album. How can its style best be described? “Hmmm… Think The Killers rock meets Daft Punk and comes across Faithless while listening to The Gladiator through Mylo's Headphones. That's probably the closest way to describe it!” smiles Toby.
The album starts off with an electronic chillout song called Away on 3 Hills which Toby wrote while staying in Gozo. He then took it home to his studio and added, among other instruments, dreamy guitar chords and a floating piano. It then moves onto the Indian enchantment, Consistent Content which is guided by a beautiful female voice, ethnic instruments, live drums and digital sequences.
There are also a couple of songs where Toby has laid down his own lyrics and vocals, such as the electro rapping God made me Funky , the rock-influenced Greedy for life – as well as others that you will just have to discover for yourselves!
Radiolized and Pretend that we're blind sees the voice of Shaun Grech, from rock band Syrup, entwine with Toby's electronic domain, creating two great dance tracks sure to leave their mark on the scene.
Meanwhile, the first single from this album has already been released. Entitled Get Up , it's a dance floor stomper featuring Barry White-like vocals and a very catchy funky house soundtrack. No wonder it was the first choice for the opening single! Get Up was recently launched on 89.7 Bay and is receiving a huge amount of airplay on all the leading radio stations and in the clubs.
Nitty Gritty , another track, is a progressive electronic instrumental of bleeps and sounds which takes you on a voyage. On your mind is an electro-breakbeat track featuring the angelic voice of upcoming talent Sarah Zammit.
One track, entitled Queen of Funk, is a funky house remix of one of the productions Toby made for the documentary Malta George Cross . In fact, this one sees Queen Elizabeth II take on a form of rapping herself!
The album also includes the soundtrack to the famous opening scene of Angli the Movie which features stunning vocals by soprano Brenda Farrugia. This track flows into the electronic rap of This is your time which features some great lyrics and singing by Rapper Dave (Dizzy) Leguesse. This leads us to the multiple layers of Niki Gravino's twisted vocals on Cover your eyes , an industrial dance song which Toby had originally created for the TV program Virus. After remixing it, he approached Niki to be the official first choice vocalist for the song.
The album closes with ‘ From the city' , sounds from the outside mixed into melodious electronica, to end off 14 tracks of digital verve.
Toby's new album proves that he has definitely come a long way since the trancy debut Journey beyond the sun and the increased maturity in music production has surely left its mark. Digi Kinda Life definitely shows the huge amount of work that has gone into the production of this long player. No wonder it has taken three years to create!
The official launch for Toby's new CD album Digi Kinda Life will be held at Axis Discotheque on 26 May. On the night there will be special guest performances by all the above artists, including an exclusive live PA performed by Toby, and the launch of the new revamped and updated website www.tobymusic.net .
Also expect free giveaways, half-price on your parking ticket if you park at the Portomaso car park and, as if this wasn't enough…
….Entrance to Axis is FREE!!
Don't miss out on this massive night!
For details check out www.tobymusic.net
Toby is sponsored by Daihatsu Sirion, Soundhouse Recordings, Parkwell, Systec, Schwartzkopf, Kama Sutra, Gigi's, GU Clinic, Punky Fish, Creative, Wilkinson Sword, The Malta Independent on Sunday and powered by 89.7 Bay.
To listen to a sample from each track, just right click the name of the desired track, and choose Save Target As to download the sample.
Track Listing
01 - Away On Three Hills
02 - Consistent Content
03 - Greedy For Life (vocals by Toby)
04 - Get Up (vocals by Toby)
05 - Radiolized (vocals by Shaun Grech)
06 - God Made Me Funky (vocals by Toby)
07 - Nitty Gritty
08 - On Your Mind (vocals by Sarah Zammit)
09 - Queen of Funk (feat. Queen Elizabeth II)
10 - Pretend That We're Blind (vocals by Shaun Grech)
11 - Angli Intro (vocals by Soprano Brenda Farrugia)
12 - This Is Your Time (vocals by Dave (Dizzy) Leguesse)
13 - Cover Your Eyes (vocals by Niki Gravino)
14 - From The City |
