Top 20 Tunes of 2011

Thought i'd better let you know what's been doing the business for me this year in the form of a list. Standard. Like a lot of people in this new age of online MP3 shopping, I find myself listening to less and less full albums and tend to opt more for EPs, singles or just a selection of tracks I buzz for from certain albums where the entire release doesn't inspire. I have of course been enjoying a fair few albums this year in their entirety, but i'll talk about those in a separate post. This is just a Top 20 Tunes thing. Oh, it's in no specific order either. Far too painful, all of that.

Still with me? Here goes...

SebastiAn - Embody


It's difficult not to love this track - electro don SebastiAn taking it down to a quality nu-funk chug beat and laying that great vocodered vocal over the top. It's almost what i'd what from a new Prince record, and there's certainly echoes of the diminutive sex-funkster here. Cracking video too, which always helps.


Joe Goddard - Gabriel (Seiji Remix)


It's been a busy year for Joe Goddard. His Two Bears collaborative project with Raf Daddy has lurched onto the scene with a distinctive brand of wonky, leftfield house and then this tune dropped to huge acclaim. As is often the case for me, the remix packages were where the real interest lay and this Seiji remix just blew me away. When doesn't a Seiji production blow you away?!


Hizatron - Von Glooperstein (Mr Scruff Remix)


One of the stealth tracks of the year for me - didn't seem to make a massive impact but I can't work out why - the legendary Mr Scruff absolutely rinsing the arse out of the dirty bass synths and that relentless driving percussive beat...quality. Nice bit of acid too. More tea, vicar?


Ta-Ku - Hey Kids


The opening salvo from the quite brilliant Brownswood Electric 2 compilation, this is another nu-funk winner from Aussie beatmaker Reggie Matthews. He may or may not also feature in the Best Albums of 2011 post too...


Julio Bashmore - Battle For Middle You


Do I really need to say anything about this one?? Absolutely massive, proven by it clocking in at no's 3 and 1 respectively in the Resident Advisor and Mixmag 2011 charts. Caught young Bashmore DJing at Cardiff's Buffalo Bar recently and it was one of the sets of the year - go and dance to his music if you ever get chance. Which you will, because he's gonna be here for a while yet.


Sepalcure - Taking You Back


I won't say too much about Sepalcure here because they're going to feature in the Best Albums post, but this track from the Hot Flush (*applause*) Back And 4th compilation is a real stirrer. Bonus points for pitch-shifting the old Lolleatta Holloway sample to good effect.


Bottin pres. Tinpong - New Religion (Marcus Marr Remix)


Stick with this one. Hypnotic, chugging, slightly NY punk nu-disco belter. It's all about that drop at 3:35. You'll know the one I mean... ;)


Hudson Mohawke - Thunder Bay


BOOM!! POW!! WHAMMY!! and other words of that nature. HudMo is back and he wants you to know it. From the frankly rude Satin Panthers EP this one tears your face off. There's no other way to describe it. Playlisted by Radio 1, too - the future's looking bright for HudMo. Nice work kidda.


High Powered Boys - Work

High Powered Boys - Work by Surkin

I wish I knew more about this, but to be honest that doesn't really matter when a tune's this good. Lovely broken-up drums in that afro/funky/2-step style and a lovely smattering of vocal effects to punctuate it. Bassline is pure 90s flashback, which we've seen a lot of this year, but this nails it harder than most others.


C.R.S.T - Soul Glo

C.R.S.T - Soul Glo by C.R.S.T

Cardiff's own C.R.S.T. have been making huge strides into the current UK garage scene over the last couple of years, and seem to have really landed in 2011 with a ton of DJ gigs, some big-time remixes and this banging EP on Deep Thrills. Bigged up by none other than Rio Ferdinand. You can't win 'em all boys. ;)


Tall Black Guy - At Ease


I've been grabbing beats off Tall Black Guy for over a year now. He's been my secret weapon in many a DJ set but I'm afraid he's making a name for himself and he's not longer my little secret. Gah. Annoying for me, but brilliant - not to mention much deserved - for him. This is from the Hollyweird 2.0 release, which is worth a place in even the most discerning of record collections. Seek and enjoy.


Martyn - Popgun


Another fella that will be featuring in the Top Albums list, Martyn has been smashing it for a few years but really hit the nail on the head this year with his Ghost People album on Brainfeeder. It's difficult to pick a favourite tune from the album because it's rammed full of out-and-out quality. This is a strong contender though, and considering the amount i've been rinsing it this year it would be a crime not to include it in the Top Tunes list. The icing on the production cake here is that "ugh". And the way he messes with the percussion to keep it varied, but subtle.


GuGu - RockAByeBaby


Another tune that deserves a proper listen: you'd be fooled for thinking this is a standard afro-esque UK funky rhythm for the first minute or so, but it gets proper sexy and sleazy and dirtfunk when the synths kick in. Mine's a courvoisier, barman...


Eric B & Rakim - I Know U Got Soul (Leo Zero Rework)

I Know U Got Soul ( Leo Zero Rework ) by Leo Zero

Some of you are probably going to whine about this being in a Best of 2011 selection, but you'd be both wrong and an idiot. A) it's a classic being re-done to an exceptional standard and B) it WAS released this year so NERRR. As it says on the label: "a bespoke 118bpm number perfect for those Berlin mornings when daylight is poking through your converted power station / toilet / knocking shop and the horse drugs have taken their toll!".


Labrinth ft. Tinie Tempah - Earthquake


Stop laughing. Definitely a stand-out track in this year's largely uninspiring Guetta-dominated dirge pop releases, Labrinth drops the first single from his forthcoming, much anticipated debut album...and it WINS. I've got a lot of respect for a producer who chooses to turn down the likes of Beyonce and Lady Gaga because "i'm too busy working on my own album thanks". Especially when he then comes back with something as good as this. Those big snares could have been stolen from HudMo and Rustie's collections, and the screaming searing synths are as nasty as any you'd get on an IDM release. I'll be sick of it in a few months but for now i'm going to clutch it to my chest like an obsessed teenybopper. See you in the Union!


Onra - Fight Or Die


Easily the stand-out track from Onra's Chinoiseries Pt.2 (his return to Asiatic-influenced beatmaking). Much of the album could be a bunch of prospective Wu-Tang Clan beats, but this is the one that really takes the lessons learned from previous album Long Distance and ties them into the original Chinoiseries sound. Watch your neck when this one kicks in.


MJ Cole - TGV


Loads of producers get undeserved hype just for having been in the game a long time while all their decent stuff was actually years ago and now they're cruising on that first-album gravy train. I'm overjoyed that MJ Cole isn't one of them. Producer of some of my favourite UK garage tracks of all time, this is from his more forward-thinking Satellites EP. Emotional, stirring strings and stabs all underpinned by that wondrous driving beat. HE'S STILL GOT IT!!!


Canblaster - Triple Ring

This track contains several elements that float my boat: crunchy tight drums, intriguing synths, a half-time drop, lush samples and re-pitched female RnB vocal snippets. Sounds particularly good on your headphones, this one. It's all about the spacing. I challenge you to listen and NOT have that "what does she have that i don't" line stuck in your head for hours afterwards. Keeper.


Pangaea - Hex

Smashing and crashing its way to the front of the September releases pile was this absolute stormer on Hemlock Recordings. You've probably got the message with the kind of drums i'm buzzing for right now, and this doesn't disappoint on that front...but that vocal cutting and juggling is great. Unless you hate it - I realise it could be one of those Marmite love/hate things, but it's two thumbs-up from me. If I had a third thumb i'd put it up for a bassline that's reminiscent of Smith & Mighty's "B-Line Fi Blow".


Azealia Banks ft. LazyJay - 212


Jumped on and blogged by all the hipsters in the last few months, and yet the first person to give me the heads-up on this one was MY MOM. Honest - she's got her ear to the ground. She also doesn't mind a completely filthy lyric and hands-in-the-air big room dance beat. Remember Nicki Minaj? You won't after next year. This is Azealia's time. Oh, and someone get her and Missy to do something over a fresh Timbaland beat. And get me her number. Damn.

*****

And that, my friends, is that. Well done if you actually read this far - being concise was never a forte of mine. If i'd thought about it I might have set up a tea and cake table down here at the end as a reward to those who got this far. Maybe next year.

Keep an eye out for my Top Albums post, coming at some point in the next week or so, as well as some news on an exciting new project i'll be embarking on in 2012.

Until then, have a wonderfully festive Christmas break. A very merry one to you and your families. Take care, much love.

xx

top 10 albums of 2009

i know i should've got this done sooner, but i've been arsing about and umming and aahhing and generally being a bit hopeless in whittling it down to just 10 ( i'd say that's down to the sheer amount of quality music that's being put out there now really). anyway, now i finally have and here they are - in no particular order...

Kinny – Forest of Idle Chit Chat [Tru Thoughts]
we've been spoilt for choice in terms of new material from Tru Thoughts in this, their 10th anniversary year. this release really stood out for me, though - no doubt due in part to the production approach. in simple terms "Forest of Idle Chit Chat" sees Kinny belting out some brilliantly-conceived modern soul vocals over a selection of beats crafted by the finest of the Tru Thoughts production talent (along with a few friends). familiar names Quantic, Hint, TM Juke, Nostalgia77 and Diesler all feature, as do new "ones to watch" Souldrop and Unforscene. the variety (and quality) of the producers, along with the incredible talents of Kinny herself make for a fantastically varied and entertaining listen.

BUY IT HERE

Julien Dyne – Pins and Digits [BBE]
i've said more about this very recently here, so i'll keep this brief: electronica, soul, funk, disco and hip-hop all collide in a wonderful brew of sheer listening pleasure. there's echoes of past sounds mixed very cleverly with modern, dusty, wonky, slightly glitchy head-nod stylings. can't stop listening to it!

BUY IT HERE

Pseudo Slang – We’ll Keep Looking [Fat Beats]
according to the (relatively sparse) Wiki page on this hip-hop duo, the Chicago Times say Pseudo Slang are "the thinking fan's kind of hip-hop". and i'm inclined to agree. there's not too much "new" in terms of production style on this long-awaited full-length debut, but if you're already content with jazzy, melodic, unobtrusive beats and intelligent, thoughtful lyrics then you're bound to appreciate what Tone Atlas and Emcee Sick have to offer. i'm yet to encounter a hip-hop fan who doesn't like it!

BUY IT HERE


Tanya Morgan – Brooklynati [Interdependent Media]
i think these guys might be on the verge of hitting the big time. then again, i also insisted Olly Murs was going to win X-Factor, so i wouldn't necessarily trust my musical predictions all the time. originally hooking up through an internet message board back in 2003, Von Pea, Donwill and Ilyas put their first album together sitting in different parts of the US, swapping their production and vocal files via AOL. by the sounds of it, things have moved a bit on since "Moonlighting" and this year they released "Brooklynati" to much applause. sounding both familiar and fresh, quirky yet accessible, this release really struck me. it's got a concept album feel, with small skits dotted throughout which help bring to life the fictional city implied in the LP's title. chock full of infectious tracks, it's a real treat of a listen - and i dare you to listen to "So Damn Down" and not get yer groove on.

BUY IT HERE

Dorian Concept – When Planets Explode [Nod Navigators]
an often-challenging but ever-rewarding journey through glitched out synth-led soundscapes, sub-bass filth and messed-up beats. quite simply one of the best electronic music albums of 2009...which is why it's in this list. unmissable for fans of FlyLo, Dabrye, Dilla et al.

BUY IT HERE

Jon Hopkins – Insides [Domino]
i'm just going to get a few compulsory words out of the way first: Brian Eno, Royal College of Music, Coldplay, world tours. right - sorted...on we go. Jon Hopkins has been knocking out incredibly stunning, melodically jaw-dropping electronic music for a fair few years now. if you've already had the pleasure of previous albums "Opalescent" or "Contact Note", you'll know exactly what i mean. "Insides" sees his sound evolving in a very satisfying way. the lush, achingly beautiful melodies are still there (if opener "The Wider Sun" doesn't take your breath away, you have no soul), but there's also the incorporation of some frankly excellent glitchy, dub-stepesque nastiness amongst it all. second track "Vessel", for instance, feels like being taken from the warm comfort of the womb and plunged into a piranha infested ice-bath. but, y'know, with less actual pain. just do yourself a big favour and go and buy it.

BUY IT HERE

Rupert – Just Woke Up [Hear Today]
in a year where there's been increasing volume on the "hip-hop is dead" murmurings, this album from London MC Rupert waltzes in and plonks itself in the middle of the nay-sayers' table. and flicks the v in their faces quite spectacularly. Rup had already established himself as a fine wordsmith and talent worthy of recognition in "Rup On Zebra", put out on Tru Thoughts' hip-hop sublabel a couple of years ago. since then Zebra Traffic ceased to be, and Rup moved onto Hear Today records to continue developing his sound. it's a move that seems to have paid dividends, as a range of producers have contributed to make an album which is both varied and coherent. Opener "Moves" is a crunchy, bouncy synth-stabbed statement of intent - hats off to Steve Clear. the Naim-produced "Something That You Like" wins my award for catchiest beat/hook/bit of brilliance of 2009. getting Bonobo in to run the beat for album-closer "Geography" is a touch of programming genius. tying it all together though, is the main man - Rup. people say "he sounds like Mike Skinner", and while i can see the comparison, it's fair to say he weaves a much more complex, well-thought, intelligent, witty flow than anything The Streets' man has achieved yet. sorry Mike, if you're reading. one of the best UK albums this year, if not this decade.

BUY IT HERE

Bibio – Ambivalence Avenue [Warp]
Bibio has been doing a fine trade in quirky, scratchy, wonky acoustica for a while now...but this year he really seems to have made strides in both adapting and progressing his sound, as well as winning wider praise for his work. i can't really do any "it sounds a bit like", because it's so far-flung in the influences and contributing elements that it's difficult to put a finger on it. it's tempting to say "there's echoes of Mike Oldfield" or "if you miss Lemon Jelly...", but i don't want to put you off. overall the sound has a summery vibe and there's tracks (such as "Jealous of Roses" or "Lover's Carvings") which will help to put a skip in your step on the coldest of winter days. there's also some blinding low-slung wonk-hop lurking in there too - album closer "Dwrcan" plods along like a malfunctioning toy robot, and "Fire Ant" wins my award for beat of 2009 - no contest there at all. everyone should have at least a bit of Bibio in their lives, and this is as good a place as any to start.

BUY IT HERE

Dam Funk - Toeachizown [Stones Throw]
i never thought i'd find myself bigging up an 80s-inspired gloriously sleazy boogie synth release...but then i suppose that's the joy of music! my good friend James Remote insisted i give Dam Funk a try way back in the spring, and his excitement for the sound proved infectious. initially confined to just a couple of EPs, eventually the "Toeachizown" album has been released. all 5 parts (or 2.5 hours) of it. this is one of those brilliant releases that says "yo - remember the past? now look at the future" without ever feeling too pretentious or twattish. surprisingly varied and texturally outstanding, this is definitely a listen for anyone who might be feeling a bit lost or disillusioned with the same old funk sound. oh, and can someone take me to Dam Funk's club night, please?

BUY IT HERE

Beem - The Future
yet another shout of thanks going out to James Remote for putting me onto this - and it was FREE, too! Beem is a resident of Sweden and produces a fine line in futuristic, synthy funk. in a similar way to Dam Funk, Beem manages to harness a familiar old sound and apply some modern production techniques and sounds to make it feel a little more progressive. and of course, pleasing to listen to; opening track "Muni" is a chirpy, broken-beat styled funk number, while "Mouth Everest" has a more wonky, spacey hip-hop sound. the penultimate song, "Days", is an absolute peach of downtempo, lush, piano-string-deep-breath-loveliness. i don't know how you can possibly say no to this album - it's free and you can still download it over at Beem's website, HERE.

hopefully you'll find something to please you amongst that lot. oh, and there's a few other albums which didn't quite make the top 10 cut, but are definitely worthy of a mention nontheless:

Architeq - Green & Gold
yet more wonky chuggy deep spacey electronica.

DOOM - Born Like This
MF returns with a damn fine album. if it hadn't taken so long to click with me, it probably would've made the top 10...

Mochipet - Bunnies & Muffins
definite contender for "album title of the year", this is another mish-mash of a huge variety styles, underpinned with some fine electronic production.

DJ Frane - Journey To The Planet Of The Birds
the only reason this doesn't make the top 10 of 2009 is because it was released in 2008. and while i'm gutted about that, i'll just give it its own post at some point very soon. you need this in your life.

right, i think i'd better stop there! here's to plenty more fantastic music being released in 2010. if it's anywhere near as good as this year has been, we're in for a treat.

xx

top tunes - april 2009

blimey! nearly missed the boat this month! anyway...better late than never, huh? in no particular order (because like children, if i had them, i couldn't possibly pick favourites) here's a selection of the beats and breaks that have been consuming my ears the most over the last 30 days or so...

Fort Knox Five - Insight (A Skillz remix) [Fort Knox Recordings]
Around this time last year people started caning A Skillz' remix of Kraak & Smaak's "Squeeze Me"...and it lasted right through the summer as a festival party anthem - a true banker for any DJ dropping a funky breaks set. Well, i think Mr Skillz has gone and done it again here, and this time it's Fort Knox Five who get the man with the golden touch's treatment. Uptempo, solid big beats, ravey synths and a vocal that urges you to "put your hands in the air" - bet you can't resist, either. Buy it now so you know what it is before it drives you mad with curiosity at every festival you attend in 2009.

Download @ Juno


Dwilt Sharpp feat. Lorett Fleur - I Need You Close [Favorite]
I don't know anything about Dwilt Sharpp...nor Lorett Fleur, i'm afraid - but this is one of the loveliest bits of nu-soul i've heard in a good while. Low-slung beats and a guitar hook that oozes class, Fleur's vocals smother the track in beauty and sublime dubbed-out soul stylings. Favorite have put out an early summer winner here...a must for any soul or downtempo fan...or DJ.

Dwiltt Sharpp @ MySpace


Rupert - Just Woke Up [Hear Today]
OK i'm cheating here - this is an album release - but I wont do this often unless the album in question is really outstanding...and this one is, believe me. Previously signed to Tru Thoughts' sister label, Zebra Traffic, and then known as Rup, this young man from South London has been carving a name for himself on the UK hip-hop scene for a few years now. With his vocal style often drawing comparisons with Mike Skinner, his "everyday" lyrical content is a joy to listen to. On this album, released through the brilliant Hear Today records, he's teamed up with a swathe of fine producers; from Steve Clear and Naim, and even a track with former TT label-mate Bonobo. Full review soon, honest...but in the meantime get over to the Hear Today website, buy it, and then come back to have a go at me when you can't get the hook to "Something That You Like" out of your head. Mwahahahaha.

Rupert @ MySpace
Buy the album @ Hear Today Records


Lopez - Jellybean [Keep Up]
You'll be able to hear this on the Beat Dispenser E.P. - yet another quality release from the ever-consistent Keep Up records. If you've been following the label's output you'll have undoubtedly come across Lopez's work before; usually a producer of latin-influenced funk beats and breaks, on this release the producer has turned things around and opted to give us a taste of his more wonky, electro-tinged side. It doesn't disappoint either, and hasn't been off my decks since I got hold of it earlier in the month. Hint's also done a smart remix of this tune, but you've gotta check out the plod and bassy drive on the original. Essential listening.

Lopez @ Keep Up
Buy the "Beat Dispenser" EP @ Juno


Hint - One Woman Army (Hint Remix) [Tru Thoughts]
The original was brilliant, i'll give you that...so I was intrigued to see what Hint could bring to his own track to take it somewhere else and enhance an already perfectly acceptable slab of music. Well, he's knocked the tempo up to a 2-steppy, broken beat speed, laced some subtle organy-synthy (i believe that's the technical term) stabs over the top, and then underpinned it with a proper knee-wobbler of a bassline. Oh, and did I mention the undeniably fantastic strings? If you liked what he did to Hot 8 Brass Band's "Jisten To Me", you'll love this. Just go and check it out on his MySpace, then buy it - you know it makes sense.

Hint @ MySpace


Amplified Orchestra - Fun Thing [Clone Records]
It's all the rage at the moment, this disco-chug stuff. I've never really known where to start, as there's simply so much about it's a bit bewildering. If you like things with a little bit of wonk, a splash of acid moog, a backdrop of funk and strings direct from a 70s New York pimp's underwear drawer, then check this out. Relentless, funky and all kinds of disco greatness - ideal for late-night grooving. Or something.

Listen/buy @ DJDownload.com


Mayer Hawthorne & The County - Just Ain't Gonna Work Out [Stones Throw]
Late. I'm bloody late again! By now you've probably read about this recent signing to the brilliant Stones Throw label - and if you haven't you should really check out this feature here. Originally this double-sided, heart-shaped vinyl was put out on a very limited run. I missed it that time round. Then another slew of them came through, and I grabbed one while the going was good. It's nu-soul, but it sounds vintage...it's really quite remarkable, and i'm yet to play it to a classic soul fan who doesn't love it...and insist "this can't be modern...it just can't". Expect big things from Mayer Hawthorne in 2009, and grab anything you can by him until the inevitable album drops.


G Frequency - Let's Begin EP [Scribble Records]
A real beaut of a hip-hop four-tracker here, from a label who hail from Dublin, Ireland...of all places. Tracks like "Flight Ticket" ooze a Pharcyde-ish sensibility and production style, and the groove and charm on title track "Let's Begin" (with its contents encompassing a bunch of kids being tutored in the ethics of real hip-hop) is irresistable. Not an offensive track on it, you could play this to your Nan and she'd probably love it. Well, i know mine would. Seek out and enjoy - it'll sound great in yo yard with a beer when the sun shines.

Listen/download @ Clickgroove


DJ Wood - Eye Know [Goodgroove]
This is actually tucked away on the latest Featurecast "Regrooved Series" EP, and while the A-side tracks are entertaining enough ("Soul Flower" being particularly enjoyable, with its sneaky interlooping of Paul Weller's "Sunflower"), it was this track that caught my ear and had me bopping, and grinning, like a loon this month. Basically, it's the hook from De La Soul's seminal tune of the same name, but turned into a 127bpm banger with a nice summery vibe to the whole damn affair. Another one for the bars at the festivals, i'd imagine.

Listen/buy the 12" @ Juno


John Robinson - The Author [Fat City]
Yet more ESSENTIAL hip-hop i'm afraid - but again, if you haven't heard this already, I think you'll be thanking me for hooking you up (and in turn I gotta thank Beatsfortea for bringing it to my attention). It's not new, this - I believe it was released back last year (2008) on the truly awesome "I Am Not For Sale" LP, but it's one of those that could have quite easily passed you by. Man-of-the-moment Flying Lotus is employed to produce this particular beat, and it carries his typcially wonky, off-kilter style...which matches perfectly with Robinson's delivery (who you'd be forgiven for thinking sounds a tad like MF Doom - they're good pals, after all). Get hold of the album and revel in a bit of quality NY hip-hop...and realise that the good stuff hasn't "disappeared".

John Robinson @ MySpace