We get to know the Berlin-based jazz-house aficionado who hits us with five of his all-time favorite Toy Tonics tunes.
25-year-old UK artist Cody Currie is firing on all cylinders with his jazz-funk/house hybrid sound. Hailing from London, where he studied music, Currie’s keen ear and penchant for retro disco licks, chopped keys, and broken beats have landed him on labels like Classic Music Company, Razor-N-Tape, Moment Cinetique, and more.
After moving to Berlin in 2018, Cody Currie linked up with Grammy-Nominated jazz pianist Joel Holmes, which launched him on a new production journey that culminated in the aptly named New Chapter EP — released alongside Joel Holmes on German house music institution and Beatport Label of the Month, Toy Tonics. Finding new ways to incorporate live instrumentation into his productions, Currie has become a linchpin of the Toy Tonics imprint, bringing a slick sapience to the dance floor with tracks like “Love We Feel,” “Beyond The Stars,” and his Moves EP.
We caught up with Currie to learn more about how he’s been spending time in the studio, his collaborations, how he first got linked up with Toy Tonics and asked him to walk us through some of his all-time favorite Toy Tonics tracks.
Thanks for joining us, Cody! How was your Summer of 2021?
It was good for me to have a lot of time to focus on musicianship, so it was productive all in all.
Tell us about the first jazz show you ever attended, and then compare and contrast to your first rave.
I think my first shows were in Ronnie Scott’s in Soho, sneaking in at 17. First raves were at 16: pitch black warehouses with pit bulls running past your feet in the dark — a very different experience.
As one of the key acts among the next generation of producers that connect jazz and soul with house, how did you first become captivated by this style of music? Who are some of the artists that helped get you there?
I’ve always been interested in jazz from very early, being introduced by my family. I was around it a lot. Tracks from all the greats, from Herbie to Sun Ra to Nina Simone.
What prompted your move from the UK to Germany? What’s the one thing you love most about Berlin and the thing that makes you miss London?
I came to Berlin for a while doing shows and really enjoyed the community feeling of the artists. It’s a good source of inspiration with a mix of styles and talents. I miss a lot about London but often visit for many months of the year so it’s not too bad. I enjoy spending time with family so that’s probably the thing I miss the most.
How did you first get linked up with Toy Tonics?
I first got linked up to Toy Tonics with Joel [Holmes] as they were interested in the collaboration, then moved on to working on a range of things for them from mixing, artist development, etc.
Can you name five of your all-time favorite Toy Tonics tracks and tell us why they hold a special significance in your heart?
Sure thing, let’s get started!
Munk – Hot Medusa (Kai Alce Remix)
Kai Alce has always been an inspiration for me; the harmonies and jazz influence on this track really sets it apart. The musicianship is top tier!
Black Loops – Sex
Black Loops is a close friend, always loved the hard-hitting grooves he makes. His drum processing always adds a punch and the swing always adds to his unique style. He comes from a drumming background so you can really hear it!
The Phenomenal Handclap Band – Jail (Waajeed Funkytown Remix)
Wajeed delivers some magic here, I really like the mix. The Detroit swing and rawness I’ve always been a fan of.
Cody Currie – LS Anthem feat. Andy K, Ally McMahon
“LS Anthem” is a meaningful one for me. I wrote it in London with close friend Andy K, an amazing producer, vocalist, and poet. It’s an ode to Leytonstone, our hometown, hence the name. Ally McMahon also delivers some killer lines on the bass on this one.
Felipe Gordon – The Semimodular Bird of Jazz
Finally, Felipe is another one I respect and work with closely. So always inspired by the textures, synth programming and grooves he does. We have another EP almost finished together, which should be out early next year.
We’d love to know more about your recent collaborative EP with Eliza Rose. You two have worked together before for your track “Moves” on Toy Tonics, but we’d like to know how the two of you first met and what the studio process was like for Flame.
We haven’t met yet! Over lockdown, we were sending tracks back and forth. We have a lot of respect for each other’s styles, so it works naturally anyway. 2021 baby! We have lots more on the way with that project.
Moving into the latter end of this year, what are some of your goals and ambitions for 2022?
In 2022, I want to experiment with some new sounds and equipment. I recently moved into a great studio, so now there are more opportunities, sonically, to experiment. I’m looking into a band project, and my own label also is a natural step for me.
Listen to Cody Currie’s Best of Toy Tonics chart below.
Cameron Holbrook is Beatportal’s North American Editor. Find him on Twitter.
