Circle Research are launching their new album “Gardiner Express” with a release show at The Rivoli on April 22.

Unknown Funk Hero Presents: BEAT LOUNGE: The CIRCLE RESEARCH ‘Gardiner Express’ Album Release Party. BEAT LOUNGE veterans CIRCLE RESEARCH take over Unknown Funk Hero’s BEAT LOUNGE to present the release of their new album ‘Gardiner Express’ Special LIVE! Beat Performance by dynamic production duo CIRCLE RESEARCH Round robin BEAT LOUNGE producer showcase featuring special guests.

Catch up on why these guys have been an important fixture in the city’s local hip-hop expansionist movement after the jump!

ABOUT:
Nik and Gil have been kickin’ it since the early ’90s when they were part of a b-boy crew back in high school. In 1994 they officially joined forces as Circle Research, and began deejaying parties around the city. Soon enough they were playing shows with legendary Toronto crews. Armed with an arsenal of music and some boisterous friends, Nik and Gil accepted an offer to enter the world of community radio. In 1998 the Circle Research Show hit the CKLN 88.1FM late-night airwaves and provided listeners with entertaining banter and choice selections. The show continues today in podcast form @ www.thecircleresearchshow.podomatic.com

Obsessive about classic hip-hop, funk, soul, electro-boogie, future beats and all fusions in between, Nik and Gil are not only vinyl collectors but they are also well-respected producers that have been making beats since the early ’90s.

As well as producing beats for rappers, 2 full-length albums, and various singles, Circle Research have also been steady rocking remixes and are creating some of the freshest re-rubs for Toronto’s finest. Artists that received the CR treatment include the acclaimed MC Abdominal, the soulful Ivana Santilli, singer/songwriter Maylee Todd, nu-jazz singer Elizabeth Shepherd, indie darlings Apostle of Hustle, legendary MC/DJ Anonymous Twist, folk-soul-pop outfit SUNSHINE STATE, rock quintet The Framework and experimental turntable musician’s iNSiDEaMiND.

But it’s their unofficial remix work for international artists like Michael Jackson, Jazzanova, K-OS, Stevie Wonder featuring Miles Bonny and even The Temptations that keep their skills finely tuned. Circle Research continues to show their versatility by working with artists and sounds from all over the map. When CR aren’t banging out beats they’re also getting nice on the ones and twos. They continue to hold down various DJ nights and events in Toronto and have shared the stage with an impressive list of musicians. Over the years they have opened for Bernard Purdie, Grandmaster Flash, Kenny Dope, The Budos Band, Lee Fields, El Michels Affair, ?uestlove, Jurassic 5, Devin the Dude, The Alkaholiks, DJ Spinna, O.C., The Jungle Brothers, Dan the Automator, Rahzel, Aceyalone, Del and Casual.

Circle Research have connected all the experiences from deejaying, hosting a radio show and producing beats and is using that knowledge towards a new vision. Since their early beginnings, Nik and Gil have changed their steez from working solely with emcees and are now focusing more on their production skills and experimenting with vintage keyboards and other instruments, always while maintaining their roots in the sound classic hip-hop.