TOYTOY from Hamburg are four musical virtuosos who, combined, make one eclectic bunch. Together they channel influences ranging from Frank Zappa and Weather Report to J Dilla and Terrace Martin. Accelerated by the irrepressible energy of their live shows, TOYTOY is steadily gaining momentum in the new-wave global jazz scene. Heavy bass, a mega palette of percussion and hypnotic guitar signal the band's reverence to collectives like the Soulquarians and The Roots.

TOYTOY’s sound is an endearing fusion of classic and urban jazz, soul and hip-hop. The band has made a name for itself in the German scene over the last few years with their concert series dubbed “re-jazzed.” Together with producer and dub wizard Umberto Echo from Oneness Records, TOYTOY now ventures into unfamiliar territory on their latest album, “Surprise Surprise.” With illustrious guests like Frank Pollak, Gentleman’s pianist, and Dub Inc. bassist Moritz von Korff the innovative independent project is rooted in reggae fundamentals. A fresh fusion of Caribbean-British reggae grooves and original dub that was mixed live by Umberto Echo.

Two singles from the album are already out — TOYTOY’s take on the classic King Tubby Meets The Rockers Uptown and Clouds. The Surprise Surprise album release tour is set for fall 2024.

Umberto Echo

After his first remixes for Abdullah Ibrahim in the early 2000s the Munich sound professor Umberto Echo went dubbing around the globe. He created 2 world music dub jazz albums for the renowned label Enja Records with Jojo Mayer, Josh Roseman, Peter Apfelbaum, Barney McAll, Jean-Louis Matinier, Justin Brown, Ambrose Akinmusire and other collaborators. In 2010 Umberto Echo released Dub The World on the Echo Beach label with remixes by Sly and Robbie, Gentleman, Seeed, Steel Pulse, Damien Marley and Stereo MCs. Umberto Echo has worked on over 300 albums independently, and for his reggae label Oneness Records. He has mixed over 1500 live concerts since 1999.