Artists will never come unprepared to a party. They always bring a toolbox packed with tracks that are truly dance floor destroyers. “What’s in Your Toolbox” features artists’ secret weapons, aka, the tracks they don’t leave out of their USB. In this installment, NYC-based artist Charles D (USA) has established his unmistakable sound that combines hard-hitting techno grooves with progressive sounds and influence. 2022 has been a huge year with releases on Octopus, Factory 93, and the almighty Drumcode imprint. Charles’ Epic Mix for Adam Beyer and Bart Skils’s “Your Mind” is a chugging end-of-night weapon that was first played by Adam Beyer to close out Awakenings at the Gashouder during ADE last year. It further soundtracked events including Movement Detroit, Tomorrowland, and EDC. “Your Mind” the original was streamed over 38M times and was judged by Mixmag as one of the greatest techno tracks of all time. Charles has big 2023 plans with upcoming releases on Drumcode, Factory 93, and Kraftek.
In this “What’s in Your Toolbox” installment, Charles D (USA) shares his 6 choice picks that showcase his love for influential, techno grooves, and night-out-on-the-town hitmakers that can pump up any crowd on the dancefloor. With just releasing his recent track “Traction” on Drumcode’s A-Sides Vol. 11 V/A, Charles D (USA) returns with another well-crafted piece, this time alongside Weska. Check out Weska and Charles D (USA) as they return to Factory 93 with their collaborative two-track package now available for full purchase on Beatport.
Wehbba is on my list of the top 3 techno producers of all time. I’ve been a big fan of his for the longest and his music always ends up in my live sets. He is always pushing his sound, and I always look forward to any new releases from him. “Basic Pleasure”, in particular, is a track that I’ve played in almost every single live set of mine since 2021 — it’s exactly what I look for in a record when I’m in the midst of a Charles D set; it has an amazing groove and these wonky synth stabs that sound like formula one racing cars speeding by around you. It always works, every time!
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In classic Victor Ruiz fashion, this track really resonates with me. The vocal has this New York flavor to it, and the chords and luscious pads on the breakdown give me goosebumps every single time. The contrast between the breakdown and the tight rolling baseline drop is amazing. Playing this record was one of my highlights when playing an after-hours set for Time Warp here in New York. It’s the perfect after-hours track for me.
Eli Brown has been on a tear this year. He is another producer that I really love. He’s got an amazing way that combines influences of techno and house. “Deep Down” for me is exactly that! — with a housey vocal sample, memorable melody, and a 16th-note rolling baseline that works perfectly in my live sets.
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This record is a monster! It is so hard-hitting and driving that I can’t stop playing it, after almost 3 years of its release. It’s the perfect transitional track for me in many situations. Since the track’s arrangement is relentless, it really makes the crowd start grooving and as well helps me cue up my next 4 or 5 records in my set that are in the same particular driving style. Julien Jeweil — “Mars” is also another favorite of mine from the French producer.
“Traction” is such a simple track at its core. Sometimes, in a live set, having a record that has no melody but rather a groover is exactly what I like. The vocal sample one shot keeps people hooked in, while the one-note synth line provides so much contrast that it’s what the crowd is following. The breakdown gives some more depth with a more relaxed feel, before snapping back to the groove on the main drop. I made this track during the lockdown and envisioned the type of record I wanted to play for once we were all able to go back to dancing at nightclubs.
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Timmo is such a talented producer, and “Community Tool” gives me everything in a record. It has a catchy vocal phrase, a memorable baseline melody, and an amazing groove that keeps the crowd dancing. I love how the vocals come in on the breakdowns, which is a moment for the crowd to take it all in — and on the drop, it’s all about getting back to the groove and dancing. It’s exactly what I look for in a record for my live sets.
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