Wales-bred and currently London-based house DJ/producer duo Trutopia – brothers Ash and Kris – were doing well by all accounts before the COVID-19 pandemic reared its ugly head at the beginning of 2020.
Since taking the plunge into production several years ago, they’ve been cultivating their deep, ’90s-influenced sound on releases for labels like Strictly Rhythm, Madtech and Armada Subjekt. They’ve also worked hard in the DJ booth, taking their vibes to clubs all over the world.
Before the world went sideways Ash and Kris traveled to New York City in September 2019 at the invitation of Big Apple dance label institution Nervous Records, who’ve previously released Trutopia jams like “4 The Show” and “Can’t Let Go.” They took part in a recording session along with Germany’s Ben Delay and Lisbon’s Moullinex. The result is the four-track Brooklyn Sessions 2020 EP that dropped on April 24. The EP features two stirring contributions from the pair, “You Can Not Hold Back” feat. Koffee and the “Galesa” collab with Moullinex.
Currently in lockdown in London, we caught up with the lads and asked them to share their favorite tracks of the moment.
Trutopia ft. Koffee – You Can Not Hold Back (Original Mix)
We had such a great time in New York with Nervous Records producing a bag of tunes for the Brooklyn Sessions series! Making this record on the first day set the tone for what was a killa second day when we were joined by Koffee. “Raise your hand when you want me to come in” felt like the perfect invite to “not hold back” and go all-in on this record, so we then invited the legendary Paul Shapiro to lay down the hottest sax line we’ve ever heard. It’s done damage in our sets over the last few months and we look forward to dropping it all summer long.
Illyus & Barrientos – Promise (Extended Mix)
Every Illyus & Barrientos track is always packed full of energy! One of our favorite releases from the boys, “Promise” doesn’t fall at any point. They have such a knack for picking dope, uplifting vocals. You can really hear a classic feel here drafted by the M1 which is probably why we are such fans. Big ups lads!
Moullinex & Trutopia – Galesa
This one is for the heads taking you on a journey from Lisbon to Brooklyn and back to London. Connecting with the don Moullinex and matching our sounds into this five-minute club cut, you can hear the connection from our studio session relayed on the dance floor. Big uplifting riffs, energetic drums with a relentless bassline – it’s safe to say this won’t be leaving our sets anytime soon.
HYYTS – Bullet (Paul Woolford Remix)
Big fans of Paul Woolford. As soon as you hear that piano riff you get that massive uplifting feeling, then it drops to a HARD bassline which you wouldn’t expect complement the chords but it does perfectly!
Dennis Ferrer – Hey Hey (Riva Starr Paradise Garage Club Mix)
It’s safe to say that Dennis Ferrer’s “Hey Hey” is our get out of jail card when we’re in need of a safe bet to turn a crowd upside down! We can’t wait to start playing the Paradise Garage Remix from Riva Star. Its beefy ’80s vibe is such a wicked twist on the original.