Slightly delayed, but fuck it. I thought I'd offer a collection of some of my favourite tunes from the eventful year that was 2009. To be honest these producers/musicians have helped me through some pretty lame times over the last year (fuck relationships at this age, standard) Some tracks may have been released in 08, but still, I thought I'd post up some of the raddest tracks reaching my ears last year.
Kryptic Minds - Badman.
Seriously, this tune contains all the elements that attracted me to dubstep in early 07. Refreshing, moody and dark from a duo with so much ahead of them. I've always loved their dnb, these two can do no wrong in my eyes. Their full release was also fucking sick. Provided the soundtrack for many of my journeys during the dark winter nights. Their studio mix was also next level, with the track selection and blends making it an an overwhelming listenable experience. Favourite tune off their full length has to be this. The sub in that tune is basically telling everyone to fuck off
Hudson Mohawke - FUSE
After a string of amazing mixes from this guy through 09, I was eagerly anticipating getting my hands on his most recent release; Butter. Polyfolk Dance got me into this guy, so I knew Butter was going to be good. This tune is probably one of the most catchiest anthems I've heard in ages:
Scuba - Twitch (Jamie Vex'd remix) The synths in this are just ridiculous. I've been getting more and more into this style over the last year. This tune is just genius. For me, the connotation values introduce a dynamic use of glitch, beats and colour.
Ruckspin & Fez - All Night
I totally can't live without Ruckspin and the Ranking Records' crew in my life. Production quality is just next level. Sunshine, heart murmur, winds of change...can't get much deeper than Ruckspin and co. Tunes like Lydia's Theme by Quark just express the beauty and attention to detail in these dudes productions. Since hearing the Ranking Records mix on Electronic Explorations a couple years ago, I've been hooked. The studio mix from last year is also one of my favourite mixes of all time.
Flying Lotus - Tea Leaf Dancers
Not a new release I know, just a classic from Fly Lo doing what he does best. Laid back to fuck with an intricate use of soul-esc vocal from Andreya Triana
Stagga - Lopside (Doshy remix)
Copped this on the Lucky Me Jamie Vex'd mixtape last year, as soon as I heard this drop in the mix I had to find out who the fuck it was. Sick sounds, sick beats
Lukid - Fall Apart
Luke Blair kills it. I have to see this guy live. Taken from Foma released in late 2008, the track below just kills it. I wish this album came into my life sooner, but still, it got me through many days at work, alone in the cold!
Instra:mental - Watching You
Undoubtedly one of the best releases in 2009. Outstanding production quality, with a vocal that is just spine tingling...cliche I know, but seriously an amazing half time track built with unique atmosphere and melody
Zarif - Over (Breakage remix)
The original was good, but this remix is the shit. Again, a tune which got me through a lot of shit in 09. Blah blah
and now a selection of absolute tear out tunes which have smacked up the raves through 09:
Drumsound & Bassline Smith - Are You Ready (Dubstep Remix)
Original Sin style monster of a drop. Pure destruction
Doctor P - Sweet Shop
You have to admit this is one of the biggest dubstep tunes towards the end of 09. Immediately launched this guy amongst all the big boys, fair play...especially for a local producer.
Funtcase & Southband Hangers - Wizard Sleeve
So many haters of this kinda style. Who really cares, straight up reload.
Flux Pavillion - Digital Controller
Catchy hook, good drum work and simple, yet effective bass line structures. Super crowd friendly too
Datsik - 3 Fist Style
Sick. You either love or hate this kind of sound. I'm sure producers like datsik, excision, cookie monsta, funtcase etc have plenty more surprises in stock for 2010
Datsik - Gizmo
The melody in this is just evil. I love drops like this man, full on dark sub with metal like compositions...massive year for Datsik ahead:
Rob Sparx - What You Gonna Do (NumberNin6 Remix)
NumberNin6 is definitely one to watch out for this year. Ok so the prodigy remix did well last year, but his production is getting so much smarter. Proof:
16bit - Swine Flu
One of my favourite releases from last year. I wouldn't expect anything less from these guys. This definitely steers more towards the production ideas from the one dude who also plays in Broken Note. I'm not sure where the introduction sample in this tune is taken from, hell fun to mix into though. The drop is just ridiculous
Bar 9 - Strung Out
Another sweet use of orchestral samples from the Bar 9 Crew. Classic tune smashing up the raves early on last year.
Twisted - Dirt Cluster
I waited ages for this to finally come out, took far too long but seriously worth the wait. Gritty bass rhythm with creative use of effects, the low end is just tooooo much. This will sound completely shit on your bedroom speakers!
Emalkay - Solid State
Solid drop.
and some maaaaassive releases:
Chasing Shadows - It Was Written
Amazing remix. I pretty much rinsed this to death. These guys have such a distinctive sound it's crazy. Bristol has far too many good producers
Joker - Psychedelic Runway
2009 was a maaaaaassive year for Joker and it's only going to get better. The guy is far too talented. His tunes create so many stories and meanings, how the fuck does he do it?!
Foreign Beggars - Contact
This crew deserve the fucking world. Over the years they have grown bigger and better, collaborating and experimenting with a host of different producers and music genres. Probably their most popular track from their latest release, this tune is definitely a roller and a half on toast
Darkstar - Aidy's Girl Got A Computer
Far too underrated, but thank fuck for Steve Goodman for finally bringing this to surface. Darkstar first graced my ears with this tune back in 2008. That record will stay with me throughout my whole life man. To me, their tunes combine depth and atmosphere with haunting oriental melodies. Sick
and a couple of my personal favourites:
Don Carlos - Late Night Blues (DJG remix)
I used to love playing this at house parties at like 4/5am, when people are literally on another planet, feeding off the bass progressing on and on until the end of the track. Quality remix...get loose and let your mind wonder
Prefuse 73 - Choking you
Taken from 'One Word Extinguisher'. This guy's discography is just stupid!
I know I'm missing far too many good tunes which have raised a lot of heads, destroyed raves, podcasts, radio, etc...I've done this post tonight completely off the top of my head, so may well add an additional post at some point. Man I really want another beer right now. Had a bottle of my step dads Old Peculier and it tasted pretty damn good. Forget going out in this snow though.
Safe!
