Best of 2011 Part 1

So this is the 1st part of our end of year lists, up first is yours truly followed by the choice cuts from a few of the Wax Works crew, TVO, Quail (Animal Farm) and an unidentified techno demon. We'll also close out the year with a post featuring the very best mixes from 2011.

As always, if you're into the music on here please buy it.


Albums

Soft Kill - An Open Door

I doubt this will feature on many lists and many of you probably wont be into it, but I stumbled upon them while checking out some Tropic Of Cancer tunes on YouTube and I was hooked straight away - since then I've played their album almost every day, way more than any other piece of music I own, so for that reason it has to be my number 1 for the year.

If you're into the Tropic Of Cancer stuff then I think you'll like it and I think they share a similar kind of aesthetic to Joy Division.

Soft Kill - Feral Moans

John Maus - We Must Become The Pitiless Censors Of Ourselves

An album that provokes academic discussion and deep thought.. Well, that's what I've read - tbh I bought into the hype, checked it out and just really loved the tunes. Do the same.

John Maus - Cop Killer

Planetary Assault Systems - The Messenger

The only 'techno' album on the list, but it is an absolute monster of an LP. Plenty of tracks that will just destroy dancefloors, I have to think that after this album PAS must be the most exciting techno live act around. Has there ever been an artist name that fits so perfectly to the music? These are tunes that are made to soundtrack intergalactic wars and the destruction of worlds - proper techno.

Planetary Assault Systems - Rip The Cut

AraabMUZIK - Electronic Dream

So I took a bit of hassle from some of the crew for this one, but fuck them. It is Trance/Hip-Hop and probably the last thing you would expect to find here, but it is just a collection of fun, unpretentious tunes made by a guy and his MPC.

AraabMUZIK - Golden Touch


EPs

Time To Express - Labyrinth EP

There's not a single release that comes close to this one in 2011, 4 excellent tracks (although I wasn't feeling the Parker one as much as some) that will be a mainstay in my record bag for years. The pick of the bunch for me is Giusy, absolutely killer tune.

Peter Van Hoesen - Rites De Passage-Naeba Variant

Kassem Mosse - Workshop 12

Another absolutely essential record from Kassem Mosse on Workshop. A monster 14 minute long A side is the standout track for me here, check it out and buy it if you can.

Expecting big things from this man in 2012, let's hope someone brings him to Glasgow.

A Side

Burial - Street Halo EP

It was massive news when the new Burial EP was announced and rightly so, there's lots of people who imitate his sound but absolutely no one who can create the same feeling and emotion from their music. You can still grab a copy of the vinyl at Boomkat and I would recommend doing so if you don't have it already - superb music from one of the UK's most amazing producers

Burial - Stolen Dog

Sigha - Politics of Dying

Absolutely solid techno EP here from Sigha which features a brilliant original mix from the man himself, a very cool dubby-ish remix of 'over the edge' from Shifted and a remix of the title track from James Ruskin. This is a must own record for any techno DJ as all 3 tracks are of the highest quality.

Sigha - Politics Of Dying (Ruskin Remix)

* we have rescheduled the party with Sigha, he'll be at Wax Works in early 2012.

EQD #5

What can you say about Shed's music that's not already been said?
Listen to it and buy it.

B Side

Finally here's my favourite labels from 2011

Delsin/Ann Aimee
Idle Hands
Prologue
Sandwell District
Semantica

Feel free to leave your thoughts on my choices and/or what records/artists were doing it for you this year.

See you in 2012

IK