Releases by brasstooth
Brasstooth has been in the music industry for a good few years. He started off playing bass for a band called 'Kuro' which was made up of a group of school friends. The band were approached by Colin Barlow, of Polygram Music, who offered them a publishing deal. At the same time 'Kuro' were also demo'ing records at Island Records with the A&R scout Darcus Bees, who invited Brasstooth and his band into the studio.
Around this time Brasstooth was dumped by his band. Polygram Music were only interested in the rest of the band and the singer, and this is where Brasstooth's solo career began.
Brasstooth met, and started working with, Darius Keeler (Now of 'Archive') of 'Generside 2', who are credited for making the first ever jungle record, 'Narra-Minds', on which Brasstooth played keyboard. This led to Brasstooth releasing a record on HUMM records with Darius.
Interest was being shown by Benny Medina at Warner Music US. Advances were paid for an album, but due to financial disputes, Benny refused to deal with HUM Records. After parting company with HUM Records, Brasstooth met Steve Mac, of Passion Music, and recorded lead vocals (rap) for Steve Mac’s group 'Gem for Gem'. This was also around the time that warehouse parties were springing up all over the country. After going to a lot of these types of parties/ raves, Brasstooth found himself exposed to American underground house and garage music.
The year is now 1995 and Brasstooth is going to the Sunday scene, morning house breakfast clubs like 'The Frog and Nightgown', which subsequently had a major influence on his musical creativity.
He went back to college and studied a BTEC in 'Popular Music', which was passed with Distinction. It was here that the name 'Brasstooth' was born, and the first 'Brasstooth' production created. The track was called 'I Cant Quite Understand'.
Every record label he approached turned down 'I Cant Quite Understand'. With no other option, Brasstooth set up Well Built Records, and in a short space of time had learnt how to master, manufacture and distribute his own records.
The record went on to become a garage classic, and sold in excess of 18,000 copies. Brasstooth continued to release his own records, whilst studying at Westminster University on their fledgling Commercial Music Degree.
It was at university that Brasstooth met the singer of his most successful track to date, 'Celebrate Life'.
The song was originally recorded as a project for an assignment. After pressing the record and selling it via an underground network of shops, Andy Ward at Choice FM in Birmingham started supporting the record. It was here in Birmingham that the record gained massive support, leading to the 'Dreem Team' seeing the appeal and supporting the track, which was to became a massive UK Garage Anthem, selling in excess of 29,000.
The majority of records were sold by Brasstooth himself from the back of his car, direct to shops in Greater London, Birmingham, Manchester, Brighton, and the south coast.
While 'Celebrate Life' was becoming a massive anthem, Brasstooth recorded his first version of 'Pleasure'. Pleasure' blew up straight away with sales of 23,000 units. This led to a deal being signed with Warner Music.
Just as the first release for Warner Music was being arranged, a change of senior management led to a review whereby all urban artists (Brasstooth included) were released from their contracts.
At this point Brasstooth started dj-ing at First Leisure, Brannigan’s, and Laminar's mainstream nights. He did this for about 5 years, with residencies up and down the country. During this period Brasstooth noticed that music was changing, and that his taste in music was also changing. Being exposed to the big main room sound had a massive influence again on his sound. It was at this point that Brasstooth took a back seat from music, trying to create and perfect his new sound.
After years of refining, the passion he once had has returned with a vengeance. He has started to throw himself into music productions again after finding the unique sound he was looking for. This has led him to revisiting his record 'Pleasure'.
For Brasstooth’s new sound to work, he has devocalised Pleasure with a new singer.
Pushing the boundaries once again, Neville has found the balance that is uniquely Brasstooth. His sound is very familiar; something like you have heard before, but at the same time, very unique.
There are a plentitude of music productions that will be released in the very near future.
The passion is back, the love has returned and the music will speak for itself.
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