I stopped doing the blog back in March, primarily because I didn't like ripping people off and that many with more time, energy, money, contacts and nous did it far much better than me, especially in terms of layout and style. I'd like to think the musical content of mine was up there, and some of the wit was quite good if you like the musings of a miserable bastard.
Anyway, no ripping off aloud (my computer is so shit I can't record mixes/rip music as it has no soundcard) so it's Youtube links etc. for previews and nice shiny artwork instead. Try and buy independent if you can and locally too. I have only included records I have bought (or intend to buy/should have bought/got caught out by some discogs bastard before I had the chance/can't afford or have been given from friends or via this blog). I have also included represses/reissues. With so much going on nowadays (I noticed Honest Jons were stocking Iranian music from 1903-Jesus), it all really blurs into one after a bit, and there's nothing worse than hearing a person go on about shit too much or old shit too much.
So onto the shit...
30. Jovonn-I Can't Make Up My Mind
Been wanting this tune ever since I saw a Youtube link in 1992. Joking aside, this was a welcome repress. Music like this should be available to more, and I'm very happy that it is.
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29. Rhye-Shed Some Blood
On Woman, Rhye produce an electronic pop album that is timeless. It could have surfaced 10-15 years and would still be given the same appreciation. 'Shed Some Blood' certainly impressed many making it on mixes by acclaimed selectors such as Lexx and Nick Acid Tree.
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28. Tessela-Hackney Parrot
Might be an obvious choice, but this is a belter and ticked all the boxes you need; heavy breaks; a significant drop, strings and some bird warbling over it to bring the dancefloor together.
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27. Ivano Tetelepta-113 (Outboxx Remix)
Dreamy, downtempo house cut on the cracking label that is Fear of Flying. This opened Outboxx's Mixmag mix, and I really started to feel at home musically within Bristol when I knew creativity like this was on the doorstep.
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26. First Choice-Love Thang (Genius of Time Rework)
Excellent rework from Genius of time. I was fortunate to snaffle a copy quickly before the vultures circled. Disco-house reworks, those of quality have been at a premium for some time. This did the business expertly.
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25. Pepe Bradock-Imbroglios
Pepe's Imbroglios series felt a bit all over the place. This isn't a criticism and was refreshing in the face of a plethora of deep house by numbers being released aimed at and for idiots. The lush beatdown vibes of the title track of the 4th instalment made it onto Gilles Peterson's show the other week. It will now hopefully make it into my record collection before long.
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24. Yo La Tengo-Ohm
In their 29th year with their 15th? album, the band strayed more towards their pop sensibilities with a record full of pop songs, with their 10-15 minute jams conspicuous by their absence. However opener 'Ohm' still packed a punch, albeit coated in sugar. The reason I probably love Yo La Tengo so much is that they keep it interesting and however complicated or a simple formula they stick to, it works effortlessly.
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23. Huerco S-Cercy
Another tune borne out of a visit to Freerotation. This really killed it in Room 3 when Joe Ellis dropped it. Upon hearing it via crappy computer speakers, I didn't take much notice. I was focused on the A side of 'Apheleia's Theme' with it's relentless drum pattern. That night at Freero changed that and 'Cercy' has been on heavy rotation ever since.
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22. Young Marco-In the Wind
Read an interview which really hit the spot with Young Marco recently. He discussed why people continue to fail to see the difference between being a DJ and a producer, rightly labelling them separate pursuits. It helps if you are good at both, which Marco certainly is. His selections are a bit on the eclectic side, but he can certainly notch it up when he wants. On the excellent compilation Musik for Autobahns by Gerd Janson, his track 'In the Wind' stood out (which is no tall order, ha) with it's chiming keys and 80s beat demonstrating his impressive streak as a producer.
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21. Moon B-A2
This may have officially come out in 2012 but it's in here regardless. Machine boogie/funk has certainly made waves of late. People's Potential have helped champion the sound along with fellow U.S. label Omega Supreme. A2 soars into a sweet groove amidst the griminess of some of the production and heavier and edgier workouts.
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20. Bibio-Bequeath
Picked up this on 7" for a few quid, and it really is lovely. Was the B side for his preview single for his new album. I'd be honest, I'd never heard of him but he appears to be a Warp regular which is no bad thing. Sweet guitars chime over an optimistic beat. Need to pick up the LP.
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19. Jacy-Touch Me
Through the trawl of deep releases that flood or actually bloody swamp the market, it's refreshing to find a hidden gem. Another beatdown track (I'm sure you can see a trend here; pipe and slippers for Christmas please) that is just ace. Bit of a throwback to the Burrell Brothers' relaxed moments.
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18. Royal Crown of Sweden-Malaren
The Swedish alter-ego of Huerco S surfaced on Anthony Naples' own record label with an altogether impressive EP. Malaren went filter happy with a soul sample and sounded like the best of what Soundstream could come up with.
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17. Outboxx-Home
Quality LP on my local store/label Idle Hands. I was expecting good time house after the Sunshine Mills EP, however from the first track I realised there was more to it than that. Blessed with some great R&B/broken beat type moments, alongside the deep and darkness of the D side, 'Home' captured the great optimism I find in music, away from the unforgiveable shite this world produces.
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16. The National-This is the Last Time
Whilst the National went onto superstardom, original bedwetters like me can still look back smugly seeing them in a small room and reciting memories from the first couple of albums. The new album was still very strong. Despite all the money, fame, success, critical acclaim and that fact he's now in his 40s, Matt Berninger still sounds like a late 20s/early 30s something geezer who drinks too much and is heading nowhere. This is no bad thing.
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15. Mr Beatnick-Symbiosis
Mr Beatnick rounded of his trilogy of releases for Don't Be Afraid and once again (I'm sure his thrilled to know) made my end of year list. Whilst Parallax Scroll did it for many, 'Symbiosis' oozed the class and swagger that I enjoyed with his two previous DBA records. The sort of tracklist you want to do backflips to it's so good.
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14. Jordan GCZ-Crybaby J
Sunday, Freerotation, Move D, Dome Tent. My favourite Sunday of the year was once again enhanced by quality music and good times, none better than hearing Move D drop his mate's 'Crybaby J' track in the dome. The fact that it was 30 degrees in a valley in Wales helped too.
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13. A Sagittariun-Conquering Lions
Gone for the obvious from the LP, but to tell the truth haven't given it enough time to digest the rest of it yet. Been far too busy banging this on. Amen break revivial? Not interested. Good tune? I'm sold.
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12. Maricopa-Pastel Love
His previous release on Tusk was nigh on perfect. A template in modern day ambience. Some call it Balearic beatdown (whatever that is) but whatever you want to call it, it was difficult to follow. On Pastel Love, he continued in a similar vein with a little more punch. Love how this guy has got his own sound down to a tee.
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11. Bill Callahan-Small Plane
On an album entitled Dream River, 'Small Plane' floats more than glides through the air, at one with the outside world. I don't think anyone captures the individuality with nature better than Bill Callahan. A calm amidst a shitstorm that is planet earth, the beauty that encapsulates the narrative on this track is as comforting and peaceful as a day by a lake, with no one except animals and nature around. Quite a deep review for a track, but Callahan's captured hope and beauty with this LP, the darkness of his previous work (his last album especially) may have been left behind.
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10. Spike-Fooling Around
After being tempted to buy the 'New Germany' and 'Magic Table' singles, I thought I'd hold out for the compilation, which took bloody ages to come out. Hearing 'Fooling Around' on a mix by Andras Fox (and not realising what it was) pleasantly surprised me when I finally gave the LP a spin. People online have commented that this should have been spread over 2 x 12". This music wouldn't be in their lives if it wasn't for the foresight and digging of the respective label owners. People should just shut up and enjoy it.
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9. Beautiful Swimmers-The Zoo
Didn't get round to hearing the LP by the Washington Duo but did catch them DJ at Dekmantel Festival in Amsterdam in the summer and it was another great Sunday afternoon. Their debut track on L.I.E.S. has certainly caught my ear. It's been a pretty big year for the label, however most of it hasn't been to my tastes, as I'm too much of a soft bastard. (I was going to include 'Feelin' by Florian Kupfer but after failing to buy it twice and not yet hearing it through a decent system I'd opted to leave it out, sure it will appear on other lists elsewhere). Their Music for Shut Ins sampler brings me right back in on 'The Zoo' with heavy breaks, full of funk and swagger. A party track that will be in peoples bag's for years.
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8. Mashine-Awake
This is from a really low key 10" that appeared on Anton Zap's Ethereal Sound label. All 4 tracks were pretty different from each other, but this ambient relaxed closer did it for me. With deep house at saturation point, it's nice when a label firstly known for its 'deepness' continues to think outside the box (Tom Ellis' digital release on this label was wicked too).
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7. Anthony Naples-El Portal
Felt like a proper record store knob when I bought this earlier in the year. Once again being in a city with proper record stores, I went in, asked what they recommended, gave a few listen and came home with this. The EP overall was excellent, but the opener hit the spot relentlessly before swirling down to sound like a Peter Green solo with feedback.
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6. Walter Hawkins-Metropolis
Psychemagik's Magik Sunrise was by far my favourite compilation of the year. In a year when I have probably listened to less house music since I was about 22, I found comfort in songs about heartfelt issues, which always connect with me more than a loop made on a computer (not that this isn't ace too). Even though I took the opposite path from the country to the city, 'Metropolis' hopeful but desperate lyrics over a lovely groove dreams of a better life away from all the trappings of modernity; speaks volumes today more than it ever did. Living off the land is an ideal I've read in the works of Derrick Jensen this year. Really hit home when listening to this.
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5. Dial 81-Any Time
More downtempo R&B, so so good. Combining the ambient sounds of Detroit's Dial 81 (Check out the documentary Detropia-he scores the film) and the soulful vocals of Paul Randolph who has worked with Jazzanova and Dixon in the past; 'Any Time' is modern soul at it's best, mainly without words. Music to do anything to.
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4. Inc.-Trust (Hell Below)
What most impressed me in 2013 so much with new music was that what many presented were fresh, unique, relevant and required. Inc. being on a UK indie label, seemed to suggest for critics they must have had crossover appeal that lured indie types. No crossover appeal is required when the music is this good. A great album.
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3. Low-Clarence White
2013 marked the 20th year as Low as a band. Whilst it's nigh on impossible to hit the heights (or the depths) that their first few albums hit, with each new album the quality of the song writing (and the harmonies-oh the harmonies) continue to shine through. The steady beat turns this song into a bit of a monster. Their reworked video version and catching it live really re-enforced its power.
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2. Jessy Lanza-Kathy Lee
From hearing the first crackle and beat, it's no surprise that Jeremy Greenspan is behind this. 'Kathy Lee' is effortless and cool. Her vocal is so restrained and sincere that it almost mesmerises. I need to get her album to appreciate this fully.
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1. Andras Fox-Running Late
Hands down my most played track of the year and my overall favourite. Andras Fox came out of nowhere as a unique talent. The analogue house revival may be boring some, but when it's as soulful and as full of life as this, who cares. His selections on his mixes are on the money too. Just check out his LN-CC and Boiler Room mixes for proof. Have a good holiday.
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