Everybody’s done it, so why not join the fray? I figure my track selection is as valid as any of these big music rags or horrible voter selected lists…I didn’t dig for and buy as much music in 2009 as previous years, but I’d have to say what I did find (and a lot of it still on the hold queue) has been absolutely fantastic. 2009 has been a banner year for electronic music, especially house and techno, although dubstep has really come into its own this year as well. I expect big things from dubstep in 2010, but for god’s sake, the waa waa waa + trustafarian invasion must stop. I can’t handle it anymore…can we get back to the real shit, that lives up to the DUB in dubstep? Well, let’s get to the list:
20. Soundstream - Let’s Break [Soundstream]
“Typical” Soundstream material, consisting of jacked up, tracky disco house loops, but this one just tickled me particularly well this year. Something about the beat repeat occasionally thrown in for fillage.
19. Duece - Cue Ed [Ostgut Ton]
Shed + Dettmann together on this track, “Cue Ed” being the lightest fare on the release. If you’re a fan of raw, loopy dark minimal and techno, this one’s for you. It’s just one of those tracks that I could put on for 15 minutes and not get tired of it. Fortunately for the crowd, it’s only 4:49 ;)
18. Kreon - Just Jack [Cecille Numbers]
Yeah, I’m going to be that guy (and I may do it a few more times) and drop some late 2008 releases on the best of 2009. Why? Because I bought it late. Deep, groovy, and bumpin’, this track has been on my playlist constantly since I purchased it this summer.
17. Okain, Thomas Muller - I Tele U Bo [Bpitch Control]
Funky tech-house track, with a non-chalant, but oh-so-cool percy hook. This one is just good. It probably got a little played out by the middle of the year, as I began to hear it all over the place, but I still enjoy catching it after all this time.
16. Moodymanc - Word (Dub Mix) [2020 Vision]
Another tail-end of ‘08 release, it’s holding up to the test of a year. Deep house as you’d expect from the Moody, yet a bit “tighter” and more hook-oriented than some of his work. Love the deep chords, and the cheese vox, can’t go wrong here.
15. Mark Broom & Brothers Vibe - Mind / Feeling (youANDme Hirsch Edit) [Platzhirsch Schallplatten]
Looking for the anthem for the year, this was it. As soon as I heard this on release day, I knew it was gonna blow up. Picked up my copy, played it out, put it in a set, and then enjoyed it as every other techno and house DJ beat it into the ground. You can’t really argue with this one though. Straight-up.
14. Dinky ft. Updates - Westoid [Wagon Repair]
I don’t know what the fuck is with this track, but it’s pure awesome. The jazz club feel of the intro. Swinging, groovy, organic percussion. The smooth sax that gives way to the inane lyrics and wonky vocals, “Dolla billz, why? blehbl hrehr fdads [unintelligible]” Fuck it, works for me. It’s even better when you drop it in a tag set, and watch your partner squirm.
13. Speedy J - Klave [Rekids]
Tracky, tooly, loopy, fucking dark minimal techno. The clave and rising perc, slowly creeps up your spine into your brain. Speedy J has been on a roll since 2008, and IMO, this is one of his best (although some would argue he never was off his roll). It fits the Rekids techno-side of the catalogue well.
12. Slam - Hot Knives [Paragraph]
Straight-forward, basic, and a helluva romp on the ears. This simple track showcases what we all love about that overcompressed wash noise sound, given just the right composition and a quality mixdown. It’s a peak stomper for sure, although I’m hesitant to place it this high, due to longevity concerns. It roooooooocked some floors in 2009 though, particularly my last drunken romp in the city of Detroit…and that’s undeniable.
11. Kris Wadsworth - High Roller [Hypercolour]
Prepare yourself for my top 10, because this guy is going to be listed a few more times. I caught this guy’s first couple of EPs of 2009 in January, from Adult Only and Hypercolour and have been in love with his productions since. This Detroit-based producer, who has been at it since he was 14 (he’s currently 25) is about to blow up on a massive scale…and in a way he has already. This guy’s a prolific and consistent producer, perfectly fusing the best ideas and stylings of house and techno to make what I like to call proper tech-house. He can span the gamut, and “High Roller” is a perfect example of his diverse style, touching on a bit of the filtered disco/French style of house, but with a chunky, jacker kick you’d hear in Chicago.
….Tune in tomorrow for the rest of my list. I’ve got some inspiration to go work on some music now…
