Think Tonk
Biography
A celebration of Drum and Bass, Dancehall, Reggae, Jungle, Hip hop, Trap and House, Mancunian project Think Tonk is the culmination of years of Love for the UK, West Indian and US dance floor music and culture. Think Tonk’s production has found heavy Support across the board from Toddla T, Bryan G, True Tiger, Dub Phizix and DJ Hype to name but a few.
One half of Think Tonk is a Producer/DJ with a history of production rooted in the early 90’s Jungle and rave scene. His music has received support from as far a field as John Peel to Slipmatt, Grooverider to Annie Nightingale. The other half of Think Tonk is a well loved and respected MC and Vocalist, with a multitude of accolades in both drum and bass and UK hip hop. Two artists, both with a long involvement in varying areas of the UK’s urban dance music scene come with a fresh and vibrant new angle on Bass driven music. The Culmination is a mixture of dancehall inspired DnB, 808 heavy, festival trap and more. Think Tonk is an adventure into all things Bashy, Bassy, Wavey and Ravey.
“All My Weakness feat. Collette Warren / Divine Elevation” is the debut Tru Thoughts single from this multifaceted Mancunian project. The release follows the inclusion of gritty DnB club banger “Divine Elevation” on the latest Shapes compilation: ‘Shapes: Spectrum’. Leading the single is the refreshing summer dance anthem “All My Weakness” featuring iconic DnB vocalist Collette Warren. Having recently returned from Glastonbury, Albania’s Hospitality On The Beach, and his recent set at Fabric, Think Tonk is ready to shake the floor all over again with his Tru Thoughts debut.
Anchored in themes of progression, elevation and moving up and on, both singles are brought to life by Think Tonk’s signature two-step kick and hard-hitting snare patterns. “The drum styles pioneered by Alex Reece, Johnny L and UK Garage are predominant in both pieces”, Think Tonk adds. Staying true to his notorious sound, Think Tonk based the tracks around a live vocal.
Referring to it as “The Big Dipper”, “Divine Elevation” captures an ethos that Think Tonk has always loved in the Jungle, DnB and UK Dance music scene. “It’s a lush uplifting intro that ascends and then drops into something heavy, dirty and big on the head” he explains. Expanding on the sound he’s referencing, Think Tonk refers to the Engineers Without Fears classic, “Spiritual Aura (Engineers Without Fears Remix)” adding, “it’s a ‘94 Jungle tune that is the perfect embodiment of this idea and still influences me to this day”. The title and lyrics extend the theme and importance of ‘elevation’, sharing the message that “humans, people, regardless of colour, gender, age can rise up. Together we can elevate and become something better.”
