18/12/2012

WHEEZ-IE FREE XMAS E.P

Happy Holidays 2012 <3 Wheez-ie (FREE EP)


Wheez-ie are breakbeat maestros, and have dropped this festive bootleg.  Is there anything better than a festive bootleg?  I'm not sure I can think of anything.  The second track is a hoover-fest.  Let's get in the spirit and, for Santa's sake, download this now for FREE!
Happy Holidays 2012 <3 Wheez-ie (FREE EP) by Wheez-ie

15/12/2012

TRACKS OF THE YEAR 2012

1. HUXLEY - Let It Go


Released 13th February.  Hypercolour.


 
There's a lot to be said about simplicity in dance music.  On Let It Go, Huxley starts with a rolling, garage infused beat, a looped Boys2Men vocal (Huxley speeds up the Rn'B groups track, Can't Let Her Go) and a stunningly simple, yet staggeringly effective bassline.  It's when Huxley throws in a dual bassline, a joyous melodic synthy stab, on top of the deep groove that the track becomes magic.  The soulful vocal has a hypnotising effect; it's ridiculously catchy, yet effortlessly cool. I've read that this track was too commercial for some, but for me it should have crossed over even more so.  This is where British house music was in 2012 and, for me, this track wasn't topped.  Jus sayin'.
 

 

2. BARESKIN - Eyes

Released 22nd October. Hypercolour.
 
Another Hypercolour highlight from young producer, Joshua Thompson who produced a touch of techno-bass magic with Eyes.  The track has an acid bassline which toys with you for a while before dropping a sleek, melodic vocal.  It's a solid house shuffle, but it also fuses in some dark techno vibes.  A young talent to watch for 2013.
 



3. JULIO BASHMORE - Au Seve

Released 1st July. Broadwalk Records.

Au Seve is a track that did a fair bit of crossing over;  the hi-hat shuffle is instantly recognisable and enough in itself to induce pandemonium on the dancefloor.  There's an echo in parts of the track that sound so spaced out and distant, as if someone was shaking a snare drum in the background, yet the groove is so simple and fun, it sounds warm and loved up.  What a tune.




4. DRUMS OF DEATH - Let No Shadow Fall Upon You

Released 15th June.  Civil Music.





Old school vocal.  Breakbeats.  Piano Stabs.  Huge punishing techno thrown in for good measure?  Yeah, why the fuck not?  Here's to Drums of Death for producing a track that ticks all my boxes.  As does the ghoulish one's Blue Waves EP, which is pure throwback HEAVEN.

Blue Waves EP

5.  JUSTIN MARTIN VS. PILLOWTALK - The Gurner

Released 22nd May.  Dirtybird

Although The Gurner has had some quality re-works on the Ghettos and Gardens remix packages, it's still the original that does the business.  Deep, funky, senusal and soulful; this is a highlight from the album, and a really great song!



6.  Jessie Ware -110%
7. Mosca - Eva Mendes
8. Ejeca - Horizon
9. Breach - You Won't Find Love Again
10. Blawan - Why They Hide Their Bodies Under My Garage?

06/12/2012

TOP REMIXES OF 2012

2012 has had some serious tunes and some seriously exciting producers coming to the forefront.  I've particularly enjoyed the British contingent; producers like Huxley and Julio Bashmore and labels like Hypercolour and Wolf Music have crossed over and brought the British bass scene to new listeners.  I'm throwing in a few end of year lists throughout the month, which highlight the tracks I couldn't get enough of this year. 

 

TOP 5 REMIXES

1.  STORM QUEEN - Look Right Through (MK DON'T TALK TO ME DUB) Released - February
Quite simply, a TUNE. Released on Defected at the start of the year, MK worked his magic and produced his best work of the year IMO.  Old school, distinctive, and classy.  MK is the house master.


2. Jessie Ware - Running (DISCLOSURE REMIX)  Released - April
A massive remix that made 2012 Disclosure's year.  Uplifting and unique; the throwback chords and funked up rhythm make the track impossible not to enjoy. 


3. Maxxi Soundsystem - Stella's Way (HUXLEY REMIX)  Released - October
A bad-ass descending bass-line, subtle chords and a touch of class from Huxley.



4. JUSTIN MARTIN - Don't Go (DUSKY REMIX) Released - October
Dusky transforms the delicate, twinkly original with a deep, pulsating bass-line that fuses house and garage to maximum affect.

5.  JESSIE WARE - No To Love (GEORGE FITZGERALD MIX)
Released - November
Driving, peak time techno tinged bomb


Runner's Up

Lana Del Ray - Video Games (Joy Orbison Remix)
Kim-Ann Foxman - Return It (Populette Remix)
Shenoda - Moments (Huxley Remix)
Justin Martin - Ghetto's and Gardens (Bachelors of Science D&B Remix)
Justin Martin/Leroy Peppers - Riding Spaceships (Shadow Child 'In Search of 94' Mix)
Lana Del Ray - Ride (Photek Remix)