top 10 of 2011

As I am regulary told by my other half, all men are on the autistic spectrum (ever seen a female trainspotter??) so please let me indulge of my love of lists...

1. Azealia Banks – 212
Sassy, funny, rude (she says the C word mummy), clever - what's not to like about her?

The new Missy? who knows.. I do know a star is born (even NME are trying to jump in on the bandwagon). Just dont ask me to classify what style of music 212 is. Weird, mad, individual but above all GREAT.

2. Bombay Bicycle Club – Shuffle

Catchy as fck, who would have thought one of the year's catchiest pop songs would come from a slightly fey indie band?? Sad and happy at the same time - very skillful trick to pull off.

3.Jay-Z & Kanye West – Niggas In Paris
An absolute BEAST of a tune. I dare you to watch the live footage and not wish you were there. The beat just will not stop.

4.Cocaine 80s – Gotta Get You Some
One of those (annoying) Pay with a Tweet to download the mixtape, bit its well worth it. Again, hard to classify, modern RnB? Future Soul? it's superb, period.

5. Drake – Make Me Proud (ft Nicki Minaj)
My favourite track from 'Take Care'. Nicki's best verses since Monster help smash it. this has BOUNCE. Love this live version with added Edge guitar. "Double D's up hoes, Dolly Parrtin"

6. Jamie xx - Far Nearer
HUGE track. Not sure quite where he pulled the idea of using steel drums from but it works amazingly well. That weird mix of dark but joyful. Gloomy but uplifting. What a talent. Was very disappointed he wasn't used more on Drake's LP, as this proved that style works SO well.

7. Lupe Fiasco – All Black Everything
Heavy beat, but its ALL about the concept of the song and how the lyrics fit around that concept. Masterful.

8. Chase & Status – Blind Faith
I want to hate this (DnB for stewdants) but I just can't. Stadium rave with a video that gets old ravers like me all misty eyed.

9.Robert Owens - One Body (Kaine reinterpretation)
Jeez-o this is a tune. Big thanks to Rocky from X-Press2 for playing this on his show as I've not heard it anywhere else (which is a CRIME). Deep and wobbly (reminiscent of Lil Mo Yin Yang 'Reach' without the sirens) with THE voice of house music on imperious form. Sounds old and new at the same time. Dive in.

10.Joe Goddard – Gabriel
In a quiet year for Hot Chip, this belter (played by Sasha of all people) reminded us how good the individual members are.   It should have taken up residency of the Top 10 if there was any justice.

bubbling under

Mano Le tough - Baby Lets Love (Midland Remix) 
One of several brilliant rerubs from Midland

Todd Terje - Ragysh
Piano heaven, played by a diverse range of DJs - always a sign a track is gold

Mark e - Call Me
sleazy and brilliant

Bombay Bicyle Club - Lights Out (Todd Terje mix)
epic balearia

Phonic Funk - One
big room tune (do people still say that?)

SBTRK - Hold On (Matthias Meyer Remix) (Love Unlimited three)
beautiful melancholic retouch

Lucky Paul - Thought We Were Alone Feat. Milosh (Gadi Mizrahi & Eli Gold – Money Vs Gold Remix)
angry disco

Osunlade - Envision (Ame remix)
Huge for months before it eventually came out. Innervisions releases are always stamped with quality

Washed Out - You'll See It (Midland re-edit)

Warm, summery, lush. shame it emerged in October...

 

My LPs of the year

Frank Ocean - Nostalgia, Ultra
I could NOT get enough of this mixtape/album this year. Definitely my most played LP of the year.
Bon Iver - Bon Iver

Another strong album, full of beauty. But lets just gloss over the Bruce Hornsby & the range closing track shall we???

The Weeknd - House of Balloons
Really weird but really great. A talent to watch for sure

Drake - Take Care
Far too long (20 tracks on the bonus edition) but had enough good moments to keep his place at the top table.

Jay-Z & Kanye West - Watch The Throne

Wasn't really sure what to expect from this, but it at least met expectations (which were set far too high if we are being honest)

Special mentions

Definitive Daft Punk
What an amazing project. stunning attention to detail

Lonely island – Jack Sparrow
Just hilarious. I think its the enthusiasm Michael Bolton puts into it that gets me the most.
"Keira Knightleeeeeee"

"Got a basehead wife, her womb is polluted"