TF Archives

Family Presents German House legends 'Knee Deep'

Author: Clea Woods
Monday, November 3, 2003
4 DECK SHOW from Germany's Leading House Act.

"One of the most anticipated House Events of 2003"

"A pure latin dream, this is a huge summer smash and goes off absolutely everywhere",

"that's the way the UK music magazine Ministry described one of this year's Ibiza hits.

It's talking about the new KNEE DEEP remix of Afro Medusa's "Pasilda". And this remake which has been released already in 1999 on the UK label Reverb didn't just meet the nerve of the clubbers on Ibiza.

"Pasilda" has become a summer hit 2000 world wide, has been rated high into their charts by all top DJs, reached peak positions in the UK Buzz Charts or the German Dance Charts and finally pushed the two producers and DJs from Hamburg SUPERBIRD (Sebastian Döring) and TODDIE (Torsten Freese) into the house music world class.

This success hasn't been a lucky shot, tho. Within the last two years they worked their way to the top with their productions and remixes under their producer's and DJ's name KNEE DEEP. In addition, Toddie and Superbird are in great demand behind the decks of the most renowned house clubs, not only in their hometown Hamburg, but also in Berlin, London, Ibiza and Miami, just to mention a few waypoints.

Of course, their success started in Hamburg, Germany's undisputable house stronghold. Superbird, who started his success as remixer and producer under the name of TBA and, together with DJ Daniel Klein, already formed another successful project under the name of Kiez Kidz, got to know his partner Toddie in the club life of Hamburg.

Already their first production - a remix of the D'Influence Track "Rock With You" - was able to gather overwhelming reviews. And their own productions for the label R.O.I. (Records Of Interest) quickly found a major label partner in Universal, which is quite unusual for german house producers and emphasizes the mixture of quality and countrywide acceptance.

But the R.O.I. label represents their home base and family background, which doesn't only base on the fact that the two Knee Deeps got their studio near the label office, but also because all the makers and artists of the label are friends and originate in the Hamburg environment.

This way, not only Toddie and Superbird were able to emerge from a healthy environment, but also their colleagues Daniel Klein or Kid Alex are working on their career.

Soulful and thrusting grooves are their trademark, both in producing and behind the decks. Never too sophisticated or stuffed with loops, but more decent, that's the way the Knee Deep grooves are pleasing.

Skillfully, they manage to combine Soul, Funk, and Latin and their beat into a sound that's downright charming and unobtrusive in the way it creates movement on the dance floor.

Slowly, without much claptrap or drum rolls they build both their DJ sets and their productions - spontaneously spiking them with little details, bringing them to the climax, thus impressing their individual seal. It's not even single tracks or hits that inspire, but the mixture of record selection and the DJ's interaction with the audience that make a Knee Deep set or production work on the dance floor.

The near future looks bright for DJ Superbird and Toddie. Knee Deep have already taken the next steps toward an international career. With the renowned Defected label (which harbors the Soul Searchers, ATFC, Olav Basoski, Astrotrax, Johnny Corporate and many more) they found a strong partner in the UK which strives for establishing the Knee Deeps on top of the league. And the list of mega stars being remixed by the two producers from Hamburg is continually growing - David Morales, Full Intention or Craig David should only the beginning."

Family Music Machine Djs.
Family Presents Knee Deep
Seven Nightclub
52 Albert Road, South Melbourne.
Doors open 10pm.