“What do ya know about Moorgate?” *stifled laughter* “I don’t know anything about Moorgate!”
8. LV and Joshua Idehen - Routes
When I first heard Northern Line I couldn’t help but smile; the comic vocal over a quality electronic beat perhaps offered up this year’s novelty track. However when listened to in the context of the album on which it resides it all begins to make sense. My deciphering of Routes is that it is a musical portrait of London life, using the deep voice of vocalist Joshua Idehen to lay down what I would class as urban poetry over the high quality electronic beats that have became the trademark of LV. From the comedy that comes from Northern Line, there is also a darker side with Murkish Delights describing a very 21st century struggle.
The album works extremely well live, Joshua Idehen has a good presence on stage and the euphoria of album track Primary Colours is designed to be heard loud in a club full of people. Had I got onto this album earlier in the year and not just after witnessing the live show then it could actually have ranked higher and it continues to grow in stature with each listen.
Next up on the list is a German duo who were responsible for creating a phenomenal line up in such an idyllic setting with their beach stage at Melt! festival.
9. Modeselektor - Monkeytown
Monkeytown crafts together techno, dubstep, electronia, hip hop and more within its eleven tracks, a true example of how to construct a ‘dance music’ album in that it never leaves you bored and is not predictable. Well not unless you have listened to their first offering Happy Birthday which was equally as impressive, more so in fact; as upon its release it seemed ahead of its time. Monkeytown has definitely been one of my favourite albums hence its place in this here list, however I do somewhat feel the German duo may have rested upon their laurels a tad, this coupled with the fact it was released late in the year has ultimately led to it being one or two rungs further down the ladder than perhaps it should have been. On the whole though a really solid album with two tracks in particular standing out for me and neither Berlin or Pretentious Friends are the tracks that feature their good friend Thom Yorke.
In a change to how the 'results' are presented from last year I have decided to announce an album every couple of days with a summary of all to recap once all have been announced. First up is number 10.
10. VA - Fabriclive 57 (Mixed by Jackmaster)
Thanks to the Boiler Room’s ever growing success it is now cool to be a DJ again, along with Oneman and Ben UFO the Glaswegian Jackmaster has forged a reputation at the cutting edge of the UK Bass music scene over recent years and as such was asked to mix the 57th instalment of the Fabriclive CD series. The mix is fantastic; it encapsulates a Jackmaster set perfectly never fearing to blur the boundaries between musical genres. Including anthems from Inner City, Larry Heard and Sia the mix has a strong party vibe to it while also managing to remain current as these classic cuts are intertwined with fresh beats from UK Bass stalwarts such as Addison Groove, SBTRKT and Hudson Mohawke. Thoroughly enjoyable throughout, a definite way to ease someone in to the musical realms that have made more waves than any other in 2011.
Is it too early to be dropping 'Best of' lists in October? Perhaps it is but here is one anyway. While in 2011 I have kind of shifted away from electronic music somewhat and barely visited a club; I have been able to remain in touch with it thanks to festivals, blogs and the Boiler Room, which has become my main supplier of new 'dance' music. So I have decided to compile a short list of some of my favourite dancefloor aimed tracks of the year, there is no order besides the order that the tracks popped into my head.
This post is a precursor to the Top 10 Albums of the year post, which will be a more in depth review of the year's releases. That particular post will be made on December 1st, the eve of the year's final installment of The Lovely Job, where I shall be playing tracks from the top 10 albums and more.
Hudson Mohawke - Thunder Bay
This track just makes me want to lose my mind whenever I hear it, an ultimate smash out tune. I was fortunate to be able to play this at the September Lovely Job and to my amazement if actually went down well!
Dark Sky - Neon
Old school vibes on this one from Dark Sky, when it kicks it it reminds me and many others of Robin S' Show Me Love.
Daphni (Caribou) - Ye Ye
An extenstion of the work from last year's TRM album of the year Swim, Caribou under the alias Daphni delivers a more 4/4 offering in this groovy track with a simple yet hypnotic vocal sample. Really enjoyed dancing to this on the Dutch soundsystem on the Thursday night at the campsite at Melt! festival.
Joker ft. Jessie Ware - The Vision
What happens when one of your favourite producers and one of your favourite vocalists team up? A killer track thats what!
Cassius - I Love You So (Skream Remix)
Skream showing his versatility once again with this tribute to old school piano hardcore. Almost sounds like it brings Awesome 3's Don't Go into the 21st century.
Scuba - Feel It
A groovy house track from the Hot Flush head honcho which went down a treat at The Big Chill during his excellent set. 2011 has saw a big revival in the acid house sound, as tipified by the next track...
Boddika & Joy Orbison - Swims
Its a toss up between this and Thunder Bay if I was pushed to name a favourite dancefloor track of the year, this is sheer brilliance from the acid to the repetitive vocal to the cow bell it all works brilliantly and I was delighted that Scuba allowed me to experience hearing it at a festival.
Martha Reeves & The Vandellas - Jimmy Mack (Addison Groove Bootleg)
A bit of fun to end on, probably the biggest musical regret of the year was missing Addison Groove at Melt! festival due to a state of inebriation and thus the opportunity to hear this. I am a massive fan of the original and oh my word when it kicks into Addison's trademark sound, wow.
So there it is a collection of my favourite dancefloor tracks of the year, hope you enjoyed reading/listening as much as I have enjoyed this eight tracks throughout the year.
Not so long I made a post bringing back MJ Cole’s seminal essential mix back from the vault to share with readers of the blog, for those who may have missed it first time round or wanted like me to revisit it for reasons of nostalgia. Well I am back with on a (much shorter) UK Garage tip. This time it comes in the shape of a short 30 minute mix that I recorded at home using 100% vinyl mainly bought from Discogs during my spring UKG revival. The mix can be streamed or downloaded below using the Soundcloud widget. Tracklist is below. Enjoy.
Cleptomaniacs - All I Do (Bump & Flex Mix)
Blowfelt - Lickle Roller
Beatfreaks - Speaker Box
Daniel Bedingfield - Gotta Get Thru This
The Streets - Don't Mug Yourself (Big $hot Mix)
Rip Groove - Double 99
Love Station - Teardrops (Classic Mix)
Armand Van Helden - You Don't Know Me
