My Top 10 of 2012

It's that time again, where I struggle to pick my favourite 10 songs of the year. Sometimes I think I should just click the 'Plays' column of my iTunes and let that be the guide, but I've decided to be a little more creative than that (for now at lest anyway)

1. Disclosure ‘Latch’

Original mix 

T.WIlliams Club Edit

Jamie Jones Remix

Been playing this for 3 months solid - when i get bored I just switch mixes. All 3 are great. Killer vocal, catchy as hell, sounds brilliant on the radio. LOVE IT.

2. Solange 'Losing You'

Echoes of Madonna in her (ace) Shep Pettibone period (Borderline is in my all time top 10). Beyonce's little sister won't be in her shadow for much longer if she keeps releasing gems like this. Hipster RnB anyone?

3. Hot Chip ‘Let Me Be Him’
Great band, great live band, great album. It was a toss-up between this and 'Flutes'. Not sure how they do it, but they tread that fine line between pop and house better than anyone else.

4. Kendrick Lamar ‘The Recipe’
This year's big hip-hop name. I dare you to listen to this and not start humming 'Women, Weed and Weather', which tends to get you funny looks when you do it outside a child's nursery (trust me on that one). 

=5. Destiny's Child - 'Say My Name' (Cyril Hahn Remix) 

=5. UZ x R Kelly - 'I'm a Flirt Trap' (Cyril Hahn Mash Up) 
 Swiss-born but living in Canada, I don't know too much about (mad) Cyril, but these two are the picks of his remixes that appeared this year. He (somehow) manages to breathe new life into the old DC hit by lower the pitch of the girls voices to Barry White levels, and yet it sounds fantastic. The R Kelly mash-up (hate that word) is druggy and mesmerising.
 

6. I-Cube 'Transpiration'

Probably my favourite house track of the year. Pure jackin bizness. Manages to sound old and new at EXACTLY the same time.

7. Jessie Ware '110%'
The big UK discovery this year. Dubstep Sade (as no one is calling her) released a great album called Devotion, and production on this track by Julio Bashmore raises this to another level.

8. Frank Ocean 'Pyramids'

Probably this year's most interesting character, Frank followed up the amazing 'Nostalgia Ultra' mixtape with a brilliant debut album. This Prince-esque track, came with subtably arty video.

9. Rudimental 'Feel the Love'
When drum and bass remembers to do 'songs' it can be the most exciting musical genre alive. The gospel vocal is an inspired touch.

10. Kindness 'It's Alright'
Album mix
Live with Trouble Funk
Trouble Funk were one of the first bands I discovered when the House thing first hit me in 89/90. Ridiculously funky live, it was nice to see them sampled (and sampled well, with full props) by Kindness.

Top 5 albums

Frank Ocean ‘Channel Orange’

Jessie Ware ‘Devotion’

Hot chip ‘In Our Heads’

Kendrick Lamar ‘Good Kid, M.A.A.D. City' 

2 Bears 'Be Strong'

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"

Current top 20 (hums Phil Lynott 'The Pearl' in my head)

There is so much good music about i thought I'd post a top 20 (in no particular order)

As you can see its doesn't really follow any one genre too closely - where's the fun in that?

 

(pic (C) Miles Aldridge)

1. Fritz Kalkbrenner - Right In The Dark (Henrik Schwarz Remix)
It's a Henrik Schwarz remix, so you KNOW its gonna be great, and it is. Love the live bass on this. The Robag Wruhme remix runs this a close second by the way.

2. Friendly Fires - Live Those Days Tonight
The boys lament they weren't old enough to go out raving in 88. Great video to accompany this, I bet it goes off when it's played in a live environment.

3. Bombay Bicycle Club - Shuffle
I wanted to hate everything about this, another effete indie band, but its a catchy shimmering piece of pop gold. damn. I've just heard the genius that is Leo Zero has remixed it (runs off to youtube) as well.

4. Mayer Hawthorne - Green Eyed Love (Classix Remix)
Lovely dreamy European sounding remix of US soul tune

5. Cocaine 80s - To Tell You The Truth
If you haven't downloaded the awesome mixtape, rectifiy that IMMEDIATELY, this is just one of 5 or 6 brilliant songs on it.

6. Jamie xx - Far Nearer (Chris Woodward Edit)
Buzzin Fly's resident adds a touch of house (and superb drums) to an already great tune. This will get rinsed at Notting Hill carnival.

7. Jeremy Glenn - New Life
SO bally eric, it reeks of the white isle. If you aren't going this year (like me, this will get you close) download it free here

8. Arcade Fire - Speaking In Tongues
The best of two added tracks to the Suburbs reissue. The best live band in the world now with added David Byrne (bonus!)

9. Foster The People - Pumped Up Kicks
Someone has been listening to the first MGMT haven't they? Despite that, its still good.

10. Midnight Magic - Beam Me Up (Jacques Renault Remix)
WERK! Definite 'Paris Is Burning' vibe on this remix. Get it here.

11. Frank Ocean - Novacane
I've probably played the mixtape (which is to be reissued as a proper album i believe) more than anyother this year. This is one of MANY killer tracks on it. An RnB record with decent lyrics, whatever next??? Frank is the only member of OFWGKTA that doesn't want to kill you.

12. Funk D'Void - Diabla (Joash Remix)
The original is probably in my top 10 of all time, so i was VERY cautious of the 2011 remixes, but i needn't have been.  All 3 are great, but this is the standout for me as it's different but not TOO different (which is what you want in a remix no?)

13. Virgo Four - Its A Crime (Caribou MIx)
Retro vibez time with the hottest remixers on the planet (if you haven't heard their amazing Radiohead remix you need to). Big 86/87 feel on this one & i love the way it builds and builds.

14. Ghostpoet - Survive It (Koreless Remix)
The inevitable dubstep entry in the top 20. I know its everywhere at the moment and the tide will turn soon from journalist swoon to bile but lets enjoy it while we can yeah?

15. Jacques Greene - Another Girl
Jacques is on fire at the moment, this one has been around for a while but I think its his best work and I've always been a sucker for an RnB vocal snippet on tracks.

16. Metronomy - The Bay (Erol Alkan's Extended Remix)
I found the album a HUGE disappointment (what happened to the tunes?) and a surprise nomination for the Mercury (whadda i know eh?) but this is great.

17. SBTRKT - Wildfire (remix feat Drake)
I couldn't do a top 20 without indulging in my Drake obsession. Nice to see he's got his eyes on non-traditional RnB producers (Can't wait to hear his stuff with Jamie xx).


18. Todd Terje - Ragysh
This is ALMOST as good as Eurodans, and that is VERY high praise indeed. I've always been a sucker for a good piano tune!

19. Miracle Fortress - Raw Spectacle (Pantha du Prince remix)
So deep its practically sub-aqua. First heard it on Ben Watt's excellent 6music show. So don't take my word for it.... Get it free here

20. Tiger & Woods - Deflowered
VERY reminisent of the Crydamoure stuff from the Daft Punk stable in the 90s. Jackin disco cut-up bizness. get it here

My top 10 of 2010

Thought i'd add my tuppence to the best of lists of the year. i'd be very surprised if anyother top 10 list looked like this. Although that probably means i've a got a rubbish/odd taste in music, that aside, this is my most played or just plain loved songs of 2010. 

1. Joy Orbison - So Derobe

A genuine new talent, pushing a new sound.  He may have taken the Burial template, but taken it in far funkier, less gloomy, more dancefloor orientated territory.

2.Robyn - Indestructible

Another brilliant single, from a brilliant artist. A rare beacon of creativity in a sea of awful pop mess this year (yes, Black Eyed Peas, i'm looking in your direction).

3. Drake - Fireworks
The standout track from one of my favourite albums this year, he's had a stellar year, and you could get Alicia Keys to sing a mobile phone bill and it would sound good.  How many other MCs had verses like these this year? NONE.

4. Cee Lo - I Want You
From another standout album of the year, unfortunately sample clearance issues meant this version never made it on the album, which is a huge shame for all concerned.

5.Azari & III - Reck With Your Love (Tensnake remix)
Might be a bit too fromage for those cooler than I, but i absolutely love the C&C Music Factory referneces in it, the orginal was great, this is even better


6.Rick Ross - Aston Martin Music
The standout track by a mile from an ok album. Rick Rozay does his thing, with able support from Drake (what a year he has had by the way!)

7. Scissor Sisters - Invisible Light
Very odd  video for one of my most played songs this year. MASSIVE FGTH vibes on this one, especially love the Ian McKellan spoken word bit ("fiercely old party children"). Reminds of the amazing Fruitness mix of "Welcome to the Pleasuredome" starring the mighty Geoffrey Palmer. Stuart Price take a bow.

8. Tensnake - Need Your Lovin'
In a year when disco re-edits took over many a dancefloor, Tensnake added his own house-y twist to this from 1982  

9.KanYe West - Monster
2010 saw a real return to form for old big 'ead himself.  from the avant garde Runaway film, to a great album which could have seen me pick 4 or 5 off it for my top 10, its the amazing Nicki Minaj schizophrenic 3-characters-in-one-verse that swings it for 'Monster' (she's another who has had a brilliant 2010).

10. James Blake - Limit to YourLove
Turned onto this by DJ Lottie (whatever happened to her?) on Twitter, this manages to combine the beautiful fragility of his voice (Bon Iver anyone?) with the harsh sub-bass.  He's on many a 'big in 2011' list and on the strength of this alone its not hard to see why.

I know I Can Count On You

THIS IS RUFF.


alright, so its nothing 'new' as such - its 'pop will eat itself' territory i.e. its a remix of a remake, but its still worth an airing

Florence & The Machine 'You've Got The Love" (XX remix)

Bow down to King Curtis

This will get me sacked from work

how good is this ???!??!? and free!

World Gold Tour