There is no better way to get a blog going than to give you a little incite into the writer/composer/or whatever they have named this hobby, blogwriter? Since one of my biggest passions is music, the best way to introduce ourselves, during a hot sweaty December evening in Africa, is to make you aware of what I have been listening to during this Year 2011.
Now this idea came about a couple of years ago when a good friend of mine, one that I work with, one that I see just about every day; Mr Allan Nicol aka Kid Fonque, he presents me with his Top 10 albums and singles of the year and I was horribly shocked at the lack of knowledge I had of these artists. There were possibly 2 names I recognised and the rest I had never heard of. He did point out that one was from Ninja Tune, one of my favourite records labels. Grrrr!!!! We work together, why don’t I know this stuff, was my first reaction!
I was born a music lover, grew into a record collector, matured into a DJ, and have finally started putting some beats and samples together. So knowing about new music is my drug. New or old, if it’s new to my ears, I’m happy. This year I did a lot of home listening and found those albums I may miss just concentrating on being a DJ. I hope you can see where I’m coming from.
TOP 10 Albums
1. Radiohead – King of Limbs
Surprised me, but when I saw Thom on YouTube I was hooked on “Lotus Flower”. Watching the FromTheBasement.tv set sent chills everywhere. Anyone Can Play Guitar, indeed!
2. SBTRKT – SBTRKT
This didn’t surprise me at all. I have been following this man through various guises waiting for him to make his pick. Outstanding current bass music.
3. Bon Iver – Bon Iver, Bon Iver
An album that creeps out of nowhere and reminds you why. Stunning sonic folk music from one of Justin Vernon’s most successful projects to date. For those special moments.
4. Modeselektor – Monkeytown
An amazing producer, who can pull off just about anything. The crisp, clear beats with such astounding bass frequencies, along with the vocal contributions, makes this.
5. James Blake – James Blake
A home listening master piece, wow. I must share the “Limit To Your Love” video here for you to get a sense of this. His classical training, his love for dubstep and that chilling voice.
6. PJ Harvey – Let England Shake
A bit of my old school showing here. I bought “Dry” all those years ago and it blew me away. This album is produced with the help of Flood which gives it a more dubby feel, but the lyrical content is where the mastery lies.
7. Gil Scott-Heron & Jamie XX – We’re New Here
The Godfather of Hip Hop passed away this year and what a way to say goodbye to the new world. Last years vocal album, “I’m New Here”, gets a totally re-work from one of the World’s freshest talents.
8. Little Dragon – Ritual Union
I think it was both Gilles Peterson and Robert Luis that said “every home should own this album”. A bit of pop in your life helps all the curveballs in life. I did enjoy this.
9. Ghostpoet – Peanut Butter Blues and Melancholy Jam
Gilles again, he can pick them! Proof that I do still enjoy hip hop, if it’s experimental and if I can relate to the tales. This man has worked with Roots Manuva and The Streets, I’m happy.
10. Stanton Warriors – The Warriors
Finally! Since they dropped “Da Virus”, I’ve followed every 12″, every remix, The Sessions Series, oh and got to play 1-on-1 with Dominic B in Cape Town, I’ve always loved these guys. They mixed the best of everything that is good about dance music.
Let’s leave the first blog there and follow up with the 2011 TOP 10 Tracks next week and see if we can keep this nonsense constant.
Blntdluffx.
(’tis 1st attempt, so let me take a while to get the lay-out 100′s. drop us a mail if you know how this all works.)