The Specials: My Top 20

The Specials: My Favourite 20 Tracks

It almost seems as though it's been light years since I first listened to The Specials back in the distant past of the latter part of the 1970's. Their first hit was Gangsters, which got to number 6 in the UK charts back in 1979. I remember first hearing about Gangsters, then listening to it on BBC Radio 1, and watching The Specials perform it on Top Of The Pops. I liked Gangsters and subsequent releases, however I didn't really care for the music and fashion scene which The Specials seemed to kickstart. It appeared that where ever I went there were teenage fan replicants of ska and mods (The Jam) that stalked the streets of Worcester like something from out of the Anthony Burgess novel, A Clockwork Orange.

A lot of the older kids with whom I went to school with had embraced the whole 'rude boy' imagery and culture. There was also an air of delinquency which seemed to have been cultivated by more than a few. I had different ideas, I was a fan of a 'new wave' of post punk, and an emerging electronic music scene. It may have been a way of expressing my own individualism, by wanting to distance myself from the monochromatic generation of terry toweling sock wearing sheep that followed the other genres of music. In hindsight it all seemed so frivolous and pointless. All these different genres of music were just a metaphor for the constantly evolving state of music, and a way for teens to align themselves to the different musical tribes which had seemed so prevalent throughout the decade.

I had listened to the albums, The Specials and More Specials quite a few times. What I liked about these albums was how there was a successful marriage of different styles of music combined with songwriting that kept true to the punk aesthetic. Their first album, The Specials stayed true to their ska origins, where as More Specials was a little more advantageous and represented a departure into various other musical styles. I enjoyed The Specials, however, I didn't really care for other bands like The Beat, Madness, Bad Manners and the other ska bands which seemed generic and sounded akin to a novelty act. I've listened to the back catalogue of The Specials from time to time. What I've always liked about their songs is the underlying social commentary. They were never afraid to express opinion and their point of view on a variety of topical issues like racism which is as relevant in the 21st century as it was back in the 1980's. To me, The Specials have passed the test of time and still sound as dynamic and controversial as the first day I first heard them on Radio 1.

I always enjoy listening to The Specials for a variety of reasons. I have to confess that there is a certain amount of nostalgia combined with a lot of emotional baggage in this particular time of my life that is intertwined within this music. It was fun to go through my back catalogue and try to figure out a top 20 of their songs. I think an echo of my distant Elbury Mount Junior School/Samuel Southall Secondary School self from the 70's/80's who liked songs with swear words had a huge say in my selections! My top 20 songs reflect a combination of those two early albums combined with seminal EP's and singles that came to represent escapism and mirror the apathy of Thatcher's Britain in the early 80's. 

This compilation is dedicated to my brother Andrew, who was a huge fan of ska, and introduced me to The Specials albums and singles that I still listen to this day. It would have been interesting to see what Andrew's top 20 songs by The Specials might have been? Most likely different to mine!   

My Top 20 Tunes By The Specials

20. Stupid Marriage (The Specials 1979)

19. Maggie's Farm (Do Nothing 1980)

18. A Message To You Rudy (1979)

17. Sock It To 'Em JB (More Specials 1980)

16. Little Bitch (The Specials 1979)

15. International Jet Set (More Specials 1980)

14. Blank Expression (The Specials 1979)

13. Rat Race (1980)

12. Do The Dog (The Specials 1979)

11. Skinhead Symphony (Too Much Too Young 1980)

10. Pearl's Cafe (More Specials 1980)

09. Ghost Town (1981)

08. Man At C&A (More Specials 1980)

07. Nite Klub (A Message To You Rudy 1979)

06. Friday Night, Saturday Morning (Ghost Town 1981)

05. Concrete Jungle (The Specials 1979)

04. Do Nothing (1981)

03. Gangsters (1979)

02. Too Much Too Young (1980)

01. Stereotype/Stereotypes Part 2 (1980)

Subwayz Selectionz 2015 Cocteau Twins

 Cocteau Twins: Head Over Heels (4AD 1983)

Tracklisting:

1. When Mama Was Moth
2. Five Ten Fiftyfold
3. Sugar Hiccup
4. In Our Angelhood
5. Glass Candle Grenades
6. In The Gold Dust Rush
7. The Tinderbox (Of A Heart)
8. Multifoiled
9. My Love Paramore
10. Musette And Drums

One of the more exciting experiences of my life during the 1980's was in discovering new bands, and different genres of music. A lot of my nocturnal time was spent listening to BBC Radio 1, and in particular John Peel, whose radio show championed undiscovered artists, and gave them the airtime to showcase their music to a national audience. John Peel's show was like a voyage of sonic discovery for me. On one show it could be bands like The Fall, or Half Man Half Biscuit followed by hip hop or reggae. I never knew what music would be played, but I knew it would be diverse, interesting and all wrapped up in John Peel's down to earth presentation. Thirty-five years later, and John Peel's legacy lives on. A few of the artists who got the golden opportunity to share their music have gone on to define their era. Alternatively, there are the other bands who made it onto John Peel's show, who disappeared back into relative obscurity after their 15 odd minutes of fame. One of the bands who made it into the world of  'The Peel Session' were the Cocteau Twins. They appeared quite a few times in session during the early 80's.

Cocteau Twins initially comprised of Robin Guthrie, Will Heggie and Elizabeth Fraser who came from Grangemouth, Scotland. The name 'Cocteau Twins' came from an early song by a fellow Scottish band called Johnny And The Self Abusers, who later became Simple Minds. My discovery of the Cocteau Twins was a convergence of two influences. The eclectic brilliance of John Peel in unearthing talent, and the allure of a new TV station called Channel 4, with a new live music show called The Tube. It was an amazing experience for me to watch the Cocteau Twins perform two songs, From The Flagstones, and Musette And Drums. I've always been fascinated by the connection of a tribal fashion identity that has surrounded fans of musical genres for many years. At that time I had never really attached myself to one particular genre of music. After watching the Cocteau Twins on The Tube, I thought they were a goth band, may be in the same vein as The Cure or Siouxsee And The Banshees. However, I later came to realise that Robin Guthrie and Elizabeth Fraser would define their own genre of music.

Cocteau Twins Performing Live on The Channel 4 TV Show The Tube in 1983

Of all the albums I have listened to during the 80's, Head Over Heels by Cocteau Twins has remained with me. During that time I was a fan of electronic music, so it's rather the exception to the rule that the Cocteau Twins appealed to me. I first got Head Over Heels and Sunburst And Snowblind, which was a combined album and EP, first released in 1983. Since then I've added a few more albums by Cocteau Twins to my collection, however Head Over Heels has remained a favourite album of mine.

Head Over Heels is a rare album that I can listen through from the first track to the last without the need to skip through tracks. I think that my appeal to this album is multifaceted. There's a diversity in songs that are featured throughout this album. Within Head Over Heels is a blend of Robin Guthrie's grating guitars, which is heightened by jarring basslines that accentuate and create a ominous atmosphere. Yet out of the moodiness Head Over Heels is given life and elevated by Elizabeth Fraser's uniquely ethereal vocalizations, which compliment and give the compositions an extra dimension of light. There's the foreboding of When Mama Was Moth, and the dark impending bass driven behemoth that is Five Ten Fiftyfold. The resplendent bliss of Sugar Hiccup, and the jarring guitars of In Our Angelhood. The frenetically delirious Glass Candle Grenades, contrasted with the acoustic guitar shimmering swirls of In The Gold Dust Rush. The brooding disquiet of Your Tinderbox (Of a Heart) counterpointed with the downtempo resonance of Multifoiled. The enigmatic My Love Paramore, and the power chorded duet of Musette And Drums.

My Videos
Cocteau Twins: Head Over Heels 

It's funny to read that Head Over Heels was ranked at no. 7 in the magazine Sounds end of the year list in 1983. Alternatively it was also later named as being one of the most eccentric albums of all time by Mojo Magazine in 2003. I like the fact that Head Over Heels is considered eccentric, because it's that eccentricity that makes Head Over Heels unique. Robin Guthrie and Elizabeth Fraser created something special. They had the strength of mind and fortitude to produce an album which would be a statement of intent for future Cocteau Twins albums to come.

Since 1983 I've bought Head Over Heels on vinyl and CD. In 2003 Head Over Heels was remastered by Robin Guthrie. So I downloaded the MP3 edition. In July of 2014 I downloaded a FLAC version of Head Over Heels. If I'm honest I found that the audio quality was good, however I wouldn't recommend any Cocteau Twins fan to especially download a FLAC file because in my opinion there's not that greater difference between the MP3 and FLAC formats.

 
The Cocteau Twins sadly split up in 1997. However they have left a formidable body of work in their wake, and there is a solid fan base that will ensure that the Cocteau Twins' legacy will continue to flourish. Head Over Heels has stayed close to me for well over thirty years now and will always remain a firm favourite of mine. Whether it being Robin Guthrie in an oversized jumper and big hair, nonchalantly playing his guitar with a reel to reel drum machine in the background. Or the demure Elizabeth Fraser singing songs with the tone of an angelic throng. I will always have fond memories of watching The Tube, and listening to John Peel's Radio 1 show whilst having my imagination caught by the extraordinary Cocteau Twins.

My Various Other Cocteau Twins Videos

Subwayz Selectionz 2014 Reissues

My Top 5 Reissues of 2014

5. Donato Dozzy: K (Further Records)

Tracklisting

1. K1
2. K2
3. K3
4. K4
5. K5
6. K6
7. K7

K was originally released on cassette back in 2010 and was thankfully reissued in July of 2014 by Further Records. The tracklisting of K sums up the general feel of the album as all these tracks are mixed and blend in seamlessly, so in effect there's very little evidence of separation apart from the smooth edges of transition. There are sections in this album where it's chilled, but there's enough variation by contrast in tempo and melody throughout the album to make it interesting and diverse. The intricate streams of ambiance that wind and build through K are contrasted by the beat driven elements of pulsating ambivalent techno. K is a wonderfully creative body of work by Donato Dozzy that deserved to be reissued to a wider audience.

4. Suburban Base Records: The History Of Hardcore, Jungle, Drum & Bass: 1991-1997 (New State)

Tracklisting

Side 1

1. Kromozone - The Rush (Sub Bass Mix)

2. Phuture Assassins - Shot Like Dis

3. Austin - I Get High (Munchies Mix)

4. M&M - I Feel This Way (feat Rachel Wallace - The Beefed Up Mix)

5. QBASS - Hardcore Will Never Die (Telepathic Mix)

6. Sons Of A Loop Da Loop Era - Far Out (original Scratchadelic Mix)

7. Run Tings - Fires Burning

8. Phuture Assassins - Future Sound

9. Phuture Assassins - Rydim Come Forward

10. Phuture Assassins - Future Sound (2 Bad Mice Remix)

11. Krome & Time - This Sound Is For The Underground

12. SmartE's - Sesame's Street (vocal Mix)

13. Rachel Wallace - Tell Me Why (M&M Full Vocal)

14. Run Tings - Back Again (Austin Remix)

15. D'Cruze - I Believe (92 Revamp)

Side 2

1. DJ Hype - Shot In The Dark (Gunshot Remix)

2. QBASS - Deepa

3. Phuture Assassins - Roots N Future (Make Dem Know Mix)

4. D'Cruze - Bass Go Boom (DJ SS & EQ Remix)

5. DJ Krome & Mr Time - The Slammer

6. DJ Hype - The Chopper

7. Boogie Times Tribe - The Dark Stranger (Origin Unknown Mix)

8. Johnny Jungle - Flammable

9. QBASS - Gun Connection (M Beat Remix)

10. DJ Rap & Aston - More Time

11. Sonz Of A Loop Da Loop Era - What The...Session One (Riots In Rayleigh)

12. DJ Rap & Aston - Get Rushed

13. DJ Dextrous & Rude Boy Keith - Wicked

14. DJ Hype - Dawn Of The Fever

15. DJ Hype - Dreams

Side 3

1. Run Tings - Ruff Revival

2. D 'Cruze - Lonely

3. Johnny Jungle - 94' Johnny (Dillinja Remix)

4. Marvellous Cain - Dub Plate Style

5. The Dream Team - Stamina

6. Remarc - RIP (DJ Hype Remix)

7. Run Tings & Liftin' Spirits - Come Easy

8. Johnny Jungle - Killa Sound (Krome & Time Remix)

9. Cutty Ranks - Limb By Limb (DJ SS Remix)

10. Basic Movements - Bubble & Wine

11. Mampi Swift - On The Beat

12. Remarc - In Da Hood

13. Remarc - Single Finga Killa

14. Ill Figure - Untouchable

15. D'Cruze - Land Speeder

How or where do you put the legacy of a record label like Suburban Base into it's proper perspective?

I started buying records by Suburban Base in the early nineties. The hardcore scene was in full swing and this record label produced quality music which also embraced an urban aesthetic. The hardcore scene eventually fractured into different sub-genres, and for a while Suburban Base was at the cutting edge of the fledgling jungle, and later drum n bass scene. The tracklisting of this Suburban Base compilation is a map how the music progressed and mutated within such a relatively small amount of time, and where Suburban Base was at the forefront of this movement. What I liked about Sub Base was that whenever I would get to see and hear their new releases there would be an original version, that was later accompanied by an excellent remix. The vinyl was packaged with a creative record sleeves designs that reflected the urban-graffiti hip hop origins of the label. There are some absolute classic tracks amongst the Suburban Base discography that has come to define the scene over a relatively small amount of time.

The jungle and drum n bass scene has continuously evolved, and eventually other record labels emerged that featured artists and deejays who developed their own ideas and took the scene into new directions. Dan Donnelly, the owner of Suburban Base rightly or wrongly decided to embrace the dark garage scene at the expense of drum n bass, and Sub Base itself went the way of many other labels that got left behind in the wake of an ever changing UK drum n bass scene.

There are some classic tracks in this compilation. If I had to pick a few of my own favourites, I'd choose Sonz Of A Loop Da Loop Era, with the evergreen breakbeat classic, Far Out. DJ Hype's dark tinged, A Shot in The Dark and The Chopper. The caustic breaks of Flammable by Johnny Jungle, and possibly one of the watershed tracks in the history of Suburban Base, the Origin Unknown remix of The Dark Stranger, originally by Boogie Times Tribe. But there are many more tunes in this compilation that highlight the contribution that Suburban Base has made to a uniquely British urban dance music scene.

 

3. Nasty Habits: Shadow Boxing (Thirty One Recordings)

Tracklisting

1. Om Unit Remix
2. Re-Mastered Original Mix

Shadow Boxing by Nasty Habits was originally released in 1996 on Doc Scott's own label 31 Records. Whether it being under the names of Nasty Habits or Doc Scott, on labels like Absolute 2, Reinforced Records or on his own 31 Recordings imprint, Scott McIlroy has always been an innovator throughout the UK hardcore scene and drum n bass genre. When I first heard this track it was nothing like I had never heard before, and has always remained a firm favourite of mine. Over the years this track has been remixed a few times, however in 2014 Shadow Boxing was remixed by Om Unit and the original version was digitally remastered. The original mix still sounds as dark, menacing and epic as the first time I ever heard it, and will rightly remain a stand out tune in dance music history.

2. Model 500: The Passage (Apollo)

Tracklisting

1. The Passage
2. Mind Changes
3. Vessels In Distress

I first bought this EP back in 1992. Back in the day it was released on Network Records and was called 'The True Techno EP' which I took as a slight by Juan Atkins, the godfather of techno on all the pretenders using the name 'techno' as a brand to sell a mish mash of various contemporary music offerings. My favourite track was The Passage.

I've been waiting patiently for quite a few years for this track to be reissued. So imagine my delight when I discovered that The Passage was going to be remastered and reissued in all of it's sumptuous glory on Apollo in September of 2014.












1. Boards of Canada: Hi Scores EP (Skam Records)

Tracklisting

1. Hi Scores
2. Turquoise Hexagon Sun
3. Nlogax
4. June 9th
5. Seeya Later
6. Everything You Do Is A Balloon

Back in 1998 the album, Music Has The Right To Children was released by Warp Records, in conjunction with Skam. What unsuspecting fans may not have know at the time was that Boards of Canada had a huge back catalogue of previous material. One such item was the Hi Scores EP, that was originally released in 1996 on Skam. It was announced in 2014 that the Hi Scores EP was going to be remastered and reissued in October, much to the delight of fans like myself. What I liked about Boards of Canada was their ability to create music with hip hop breaks and heavy basslines, but which were contrasted with electronic music that was subtle and melodic. Possibly the greatest example of Boards of Canada's design and execution is the seminal Everything You Do Is A Balloon, which is over 7 minutes worth of bass driven surreal bliss. 

Subwayz Selectionz: My Top 30 Albums of 2014

My Top 30 Albums of 2014
The Complete List

30. Legowelt: Crystal Cult 2080 (Creme Organisation)

Legowelt: fan of the occult and horticulture

Tracklisting

1. Experimental Awakening
2. Ancient Rites Demoni Mundi
3. Excalibur R8MK2
4. Psychotic Endurance
5. How I Live
6. The Future Of Myself
7. Fundamental Superstition
8. Crystal Cult 2080
9. When The Spring Comes Again
10. Cyberspace Is Still Happenin' For Real
11. Lighthouses & Fried Fish Disks
12. A Distant Meadow In Your Soul 

There's a subtle yet distinctive difference between Crystal Cult 2080, released back in April of this year, and The Paranormal Soul, the previous album which Danny Wolfers released under his Legowelt pseudonym back in 2012. 

Crystal Cult 2080 represents a darker, mystical tinged departure compared to the more accessible, revisionist house and techno of The Paranormal Soul. You only have to look at the album sleeve to notice Legowelt's somewhat overt occultist overtones. 

The album starts as it means to go along, with enigmatic, swirling synths, blended with menacing beats, whilst imbued with dark, eerie basslines. At best the album is a trip into a techno-infused cabalistic world. At it's worst, it sounds like incidental music from the Super Nintendo 90's video game Castlevania.

My standout track: The Future Of Myself

29. The Cyclist: Flourish (All City Dublin)

Tracklisting:

1. Ripples Through Ice
2. Breathless
3. Sand Dunes
4. Tape Grunge Rave 
5. Breakthrough
6. Daisy Spirals
7. Flourish

The whole 'wonky production' thing has been and done quite a few times, but what makes Flourish excel is that underneath all the lo-fi and off kilter production are 7 solid tracks by Andrew Morrison. There's the percussion of Ripples Through Ice, the electro throng of Tape Grunge Rave and the bass driven swirls of Daisy Spirals.

My standout track: Tape Grunge Rave

28. Recondite: Iffy (Innervisions)

Tracklisting:

1. Baro
2. Levo
3. Tame
4. Garbo
5. Buteo
6. Duolo
7. Konter
8. Steady
9. Glint
10. Jim Jams
    
    

I first listened to Hinterland by Recondite towards the end of last year, it was one of my favourite albums of 2013. I've been of the opinion that Hinterland was going to be a hard act to follow. Iffy has a slightly harder edge, but still contains the same beat driven elements of melody and emotion that featured in Hinterland. I don't think it had the same level of emotion, but none the less Iffy is still a very competent follow up album.

My stand out track: Garbo

27. Sully: Blue (Keysound Recordings)

There's been a renaissance of jungle over the last year or so, Soul Music by Special Request being the zenith in this particular movement. Blue by Sully was released in June, and contains some interesting excursions, There's a mixture of wobbly basslines, swirling synths, amen breaks and rollin snares to keep any old school drum n bass fan happy.

My Stand Out Track: M141

26. Actress: Ghettoville (Werkdiscs/Ninja Tune)

Tracklisting:

1. Forgiven
2. Street Corp.
3. Corner
4. Rims 
5. Contagious
6. Birdcage
7. Our
8. Time
9. Towers
10. Gaze
11. Skyline
12. Image
13. Don't
14. Rap
15. Frontline
16. Rule

Ghettoville is supposedly Darren Cunningham's final offer in his Actress incarnation. I got the previous Actress album RIP, and found that it was difficult to get into. It took more than a few plays to finally appreciate the Actress sound, but I'm glad that I did. I've found Ghettoville to be of the same ilk, with brief mutant vignettes punctuated between dark longer beat driven slabs of loops and samples. I've noticed that Ghettoville has been on a few reviewers 2014 top ten lists. However, I don't think that this album isn't as accessible as previous material, and I feel that this has been the difference between Ghettoville being good, and not being great. 

My Standout Track: Skyline 

25. Lenzman: Looking At The Stars (Metalheadz)

Tracklisting:

1. Lazy Dub
2. Just Can't Take
3. My Tearz
4. Through My Eyes
5. 1978 (Interlude)
6. Paper Faces
7. Move & Focus
8. Collapse
9. Private Eye
10. It's Yours (Interlude)
11. Always
12. Burner
13. Anticipate
14. Starz
15. Empty Promise (Jubei Remix)
16. Move & Focus (Instrumental)
17. My Tearz (Instrumental)

Lenzman's debut album, on Metalheadz was released back in June to much fanfare. I think its fair to say that there was a lot of anticipation about Lenzman's first long player, and it didn't disappoint. There'a rich mixture of crafted drum n bass to suit all tastes here, from the liquid sensibilities of Lazy Dub to the dark tinged vocal excellence of My Tearz, Looking At The Stars is an impressive album, which showcases Lenzman's ability to craft drum n bass of the highest quality.

My Standout Track: Collapse

24. Throwing Snow: Mosaic (Houndstooth)

Tracklisting:

1. Avarice
2. The Tempest
3. Hypnotise
4. Linguis
5. As You Fall
6. Pathfinder
7. The Void
8. Maera
9. All The Lights
10. Draugr
11. Saltaire (Parts 1 & 2)

Ross Tones long player was released on Fabric's imprint Houndstooth back in July. The album consists of a few collaborations and experiments, which at certain points may feel more in the way of concoctions. But overall the positive qualities shine through. Lost in the wake of this album are all the hallmarks of drum n bass and dubstep, which are cut and pasted throughout. Mosaic is probably an apt description of the album, and amidst the dark basslines and fractured vocals lies the patchwork of a decent recording.

My Standout Tune: Hypnotise

23. Ekoplekz: Unfidelity (Planet Mu)

Tracklisting:

1. Trace Elements
2. Nerva Beacon
3. Robert Rental
4. Severn Beach
5. Sea 90
6. Unfidelity
7. Coalpit Heath
8. Pressure Level
9. Analogue Twitch
10. Tuning Out
11. Sleng Zen

Unfidelity is a caustic, dub tinged excursion into the imagination of Bristol native Nick Edwards. This is an 11 track mish mash of experimental dub techno stylings, sprinkled with acidic beat driven machinations. Some experiments have better results than others, but on the whole Unfidelity is a welcome departure into the unknown, with a safe pair of hands at the wheel. 

My Standout Track: Pressure Level

22. Altered Natives: Sin Elevated Art (Eye4Eye Recordings)

Tracklisting:

1. The Void
2. Callaloo
3. Cold Infinity
4. Dominator
5. Big Black Dildo
6. Majestic Pussy Purrrr
7. The Broken Promise
8. Ass & Titties
9. Intensive Care
10. Hello Kitty
11. Feel Good
    
    

Sin Elevated Art was self released by Danny Yorke back in May, and seems to have stayed under the radar for the remaining duration of the year. The whole album is a subterranean journey into the murky world of house, grime, garage and house, where it's propelled aloft on the wings of some dirtiest basslines you will ever hear. This album represented a milestone for me personally, it was the first album that I've ever entered onto Discogs, which I was very happy to do!

My Standout Tune: Big Black Dildo

21. Moire: Shelter (Werkdiscs/Ninja Tune)

Tracklisting:

1. Attitude
2. Dali House
3. Elite/Hands On
4. Infinity Shadow
5. No Gravity
6. Stars
7. Rings
8. Mr Figure

Shelter was released back in August, and after reading a few reviews you might be forgiven for thinking that it was Actress who was responsible for the production this album. However, it was released via Actress' own record label Werkdiscs. I think that Darren Cunningham must have seen a lot of his own qualities in Moire. Shelter is a little more accessible than Ghettoville, but feels a lot more commercial, however Shelter still retains those acute techno sensibilities. There are some delicious touches of acidic squelch, mixed in with basslines, ambiance and vocals that only adds to the atmosphere. I think that Shelter is a wonderfully crafted piece of techno-related escapism.

My Standout Track: Mr. Figure

20. Wen: Signals (Keysound Recordings)

Tracklisting

1. Intro (Family)
2. Galactic
3. Lunar (feat. Blackdown)
4. You Know
5. Persian
6. Swingin' (LDN Mix)
7. Vampin'
8. Time (feat. Parris)
9. In
10. Signal
11. Nightcrawler (Devils Mix)
12. Play Your Corner (feat. Rik..)

Signals was released in March, and is Owen Darby's first album under the Wen moniker. Signals grunts, grinds and bumps along with expert precision. The general tone is dark, but is lifted by some incisive vocalizations, and punctuated by a superior blend of beats and enhanced by dirty basslines.

My Standout Track: Galactic 

19. Objekt: Flatland (PAN)

Tracklisting

1. Agnes Revenge
2. One Fell Swoop
3. Ratchet 
4. Strays
5. Agnes Apparatus
6. Dogma
7. First Witness
8. Interlude (Whodunnit?)
9. Second Witness
10. One Stitch Follows Another
11. Cataracts

Objekt's debut album was released in October to much critical acclaim. Flatland is a symbiosis of the experimental with hard edged techno sensibilities which benefit from the savvy programming and arrangement of TJ Hertz. There's a combination of ambient interludes punctuated with some intricate rhythmical tracks. All in all, it's a pretty impressive debut.

My Standout Track: Strays

18. Lucy: Churches Schools And Guns
(Stroboscopic Artefacts)

Tracklisting:

1. The Horror
2. Leave Us Alone
3. The Self As Another
4. Human Triage
5. Laws And Habits
6. Follow The Leader
7. Catch Twenty Two
8. The Illusion Of Choice
9. We Live As We Dream
10. All That Noise
11. The Best Selling Show
12. Falling

Churches Schools and Guns was released by Luca Mortellaro on his own label, Stroboscopic Artefacts back in February. Asides from the provocative title, Churches Schools And Guns contains dark, brooding dub, interspersed with some deep rolling techno, which has given me a tantalizing glimpse into the eerie world of Lucy. There was also a remix EP, which featured some impressive mixes by Eomac and Donato Dozzy among others.   

My Standout Track: The Illusion Of Choice

17. Max Graef: Rivers Of The Red Planet
      (Tartelet Records)

Tracklisting:

1. Itzehoe
2. Superswiss (Skit)
3. Running
4. Jazz 104
5. Tamboule Fudgemunk
6. Quackeljochen
7. Ohne Erdung
8. Mullholand Drive
9. Drums Of Death
10. Vino Rosetto (Album Mix)
11. Speed Metal Jesus
12. Buchsenhoffner
13. Jane (Fur Hannah)
14. Medley Of The Drifters (Skit)
15. Outro

Rivers Of The Red Planet was released back in April and is a blend of different styles in one album. There's a mixture of house which is counterpointed by some deft touch old school hip hop instrumentals. Some might say that it's either one genre and not both, but in Rivers Of The Red Planet, the contrast of downtempo breaks and sultry house play off each other very well. I'd like to see Max Graef put more hip hop material out there, because from what I've heard so far it sounds really good.

My Standout Track: Drums Of Death

16. Caustic Window: Caustic Window LP (Rephlex)

Tracklisting

1. Flutey
2. Stomper 101mod Detunekik
3. Mumbly
4. Popeye
5. Fingertrips
6. Revpok
7. AFX Tribal Kik
8. Airflow
9. Squidge In The Fridge
10. Fingry
11. Jazzphase
12. 101 Rainbows Ambient Mix
13. Phlaps
14. Cunt
15. Phone Pranks (Part 1)
16. Phone Pranks (Part 2)

The story of this release of The Caustic Window LP is a strange one. Firstly, the name 'Caustic Window' is a pseudonym of Mr. Richard D. James, AKA Aphex Twin. This album was going to be released on Rephlex in the 90's, but for some apparent reason the album was mothballed. Much later a test pressing of the album made it onto the Discogs website, where a few of the membership of the We Are The Music Makers website started a kickstarter campaign, and raised the money to buy the album. The album was downloaded and copied for the members and the test pressing was sold on for a cool $46,300 on e bay. For all of us humble fans, we have to access Youtube to listen to the album. I think it sounds amazing. But there again, I would say that.

My Standout Track: 101 Rainbows Ambient Mix

15. Vermont: Vermont (Kompakt)

Tracklisting

1. Yaiza
2. Rückzug
3. Übersprung
4. Sharav
5. Dynamik
6. Majestät
7. Cocos
8. Elektron
9. Katzenjammer
10. Droixhe
11. Macchina
12. Ebbe
13. Lithium
14. Montag

Vermont was released in March and is a collaboration of Marcus Worgull (Innervisions) and Danilo Plessow (Motor City Drum Ensemble) Don't expect any banging techno or four to the floor house. This album has a feeling more akin to Kraftwerk. It has all the intricate technical touches with an electronic edge which is experimented upon and tweaked throughout the album. Vermont is a competent and meticulous body of work. 

My Standout Track: Dynamik

14. Addison Groove: Presents James Grieve
(50 Weapons)

Tracklisting

1. Intro
2. Just You
3. Warped
4. 11th
5. Space Apples
6. Malus
7. One Fall
8. The Spirit Level
9. Bad Seed
10. Abandon
11. 167 Blast
12. Cultivate
13. Rzor
14. Ain't It Love

Bristol native Tony Williams album, Presents James Grieve was released back in February on the German label 50 Weapons. The thing I like about this album is the way it harkens back to many different styles, and all wrapped up in a shrouded preponderance of dark sub-bass . There's traces of drum n bass, techno and house which are all evident. There's even some 303 acid business between the chopped up beats and vocals. 

My Standout Track: Space Apples

13. Francis Harris: Minutes Of Sleep (Scissor & Thread)

Tracklisting:

1. Hems
2. Dangerdream
3. Radiofreeze
4. Lean Back
5. You Can Always Leave
6. Me To Dream
7. What She Had
8. Blues News
9. New Rain
10. Minutes Of Sleep
11. Dangerdream (How Che Guevara's Death And Bob Dylan's Life Militarized Brigade Rosse) (Terre Thaemlitz Remix)

Minutes Of Sleep was released in February on Francis Harris' own label, Scissor And Thread. Harris wrote this album in the aftermath of his mother's passing. There is a deeply personal feeling that radiates throughout this album. It's a combination of the introverted, with elements of experimentation, incorporating other instruments which gives you the feel of a hazy club at midnight. There's a fine line of the downtempo and the ambient which co-exist in a tempered wave of smooth minimalism. Whenever I listen to this album I get the impression that this is a testament to Francis Harris trying to stay calm and measured in the midst of spiritual turbulence.

My Standout Tune: What She Had

12. Cristian Vogel: Polyphonic Beings (Shitkatapult)

Tracklisting

1. Exclusion Waves
2. McCaw's Ghost
3. How Many Grapes Went into That Wine
4. Lost in The Chase
5. LA Banshee 109
6. Forest Gifts
7. Society Of Hands

It seems like light years since I bought the Infra E.P. in 1994, on Dave Clarke's Magnetic North label. It was quite obvious back then and is still very apparent now that Cristian Vogel can meld compositions that are diverse and interesting which can still pack a punch. Polyphonic Beings is no exception. This is a rhythmical album, but within all the synchronized commotion are a lot of synthesized growls and grunts tempered with moments of silvery ambiance. Polyphonic Beings is a good album which with a few more tracks could have been outstanding.

My Standout Track: How Many Grapes Went Into That Wine

11. Om Unit: Inversion (Metalheadz)

Tracklisting

1. Touching Down
2. The War
3. The Crossing
4. Layers
5. Bardo Realms
6. Understand
7. Parallel
8. Mystic

Jim Coles has been quoted in quite a few reviews as saying that Inversion was "A nod to the sound of my teenage self." You only have to listen this album and it's quite apparent that not only is this album is a homage to the Metalheadz sound, in some ways it's an upgrade. There's a rich mixture of the trademark rolling breaks, dark basslines and vocal samples, which is formulated and refined, which for me is a very welcome reconstruction from within an epic drum n bass dynasty.

My Standout Track: Understand

10. Todd Terje: It's Album Time (Olsen)

Tracklisting

1. Intro (It's Album Time)
2. Leisure Suit Preben
3. Preben Goes To Acapulco
4. Svensk Sas
5. Strandbar
6. Delorean Dynamite
7. Johnny and Mary
8. Alfonso Muskedunder
9. Swing Star (Part 1)
10. Swing Star (Part 2)
11. Oh Joy
12. Inspector Norse

It's Album Time was released back in April, and is an extraordinarily fun filled trip via Acapulco in a Delorean, which showcases the Norwegian DJ and producer Todd Terje's intricate musical stylings. There's many influences on display throughout this album. It's a melodic, beat driven assemblage of house, disco and 80's synth pop. There's even Brian Ferry with a cover version of Robert Palmer's Johnny And Mary, all wrapped up in a big groovy bow. This is a stunning album which has been an absolute pleasure to listen to all year.

My Standout Track: Inspector Norse

9. Eomac: Spectre (Killekill)

Tracklisting

1. SU Riddim
2. Rainmaker
3. Forest
4. Spectre
5. Rising 3
6. Shell Of Dark
7. Deeva
8. Yau Ha n Ye Gui
9. Crackts
10. Mika Riddim
11. Squink
    
    
    
    
    Spectre was released in May on the German label Killekill. Eomac is in fact Ian McDonnell, half of  the duo Lakker. This album explores the darker side of techno whilst touching on many other genres, There's breaks, bass and eerie swirling synths all wrapped up in a sea of grainy relentless distortion, The thing I really like about this album is the intensity level which is maintained throughout. Spectre is definitely full on, but has the feels of a tempered behemoth. There's a lot of bangs, growls and hisses throughout Spectre, but is still highly listenable, and a very impressive album.
    
    

    
    

    
    
    
    

    My Standout Track: Spectre
    

8. Copeland: Because I'm Worth It (Self Released)

Tracklisting

1. Faith OG X
2. Advice To Young Girls
3. Insult 2 Injury
4. Serious
5. Fit 1
6. DILIGENCE
7. Inga
8. L'oreal

Inga Copeland was one half of the defunct duo Hype Williams, and self released her first solo album Because I'm Worth It, back in May. What I like about this album is the way that Copeland manages to keep it low key and experimental, but still accessible. The track Advice To Young Girls is produced by Actress (Darren Cunningham) which is self evident upon listening, and there is also a nod to the Wu Tang Clan in the track Diligence. The album has a veil of dusk that runs through every track, with crisp breaks, the throb of bass, whilst the atmosphere is enhanced by Copeland's monotone lyrical stylings. I find Because I'm Worth It compelling stuff.

My Standout Track: Insult 2 Injury

7. Aphex Twin: Syro (Warp)

Tracklisting

1. minipops 67 [120.2][source field mix]
2. XMAS_EVET10 [120][thanaton3 mix]
3. produk 29 [101]
4. 4 bit 9d api+e+6 [126.26]
5. 180db_ [130]
6. CIRCLONT6A [141.98][syrobonkus mix]
7. fz pseudotimestretch+e+3 [138.85]
8. CIRCLONT14 [152.97][shrymoming mix]
9. syro u473t8+e [141.98][piezoluminescence mix]
10. PAPAT4 [155][pineal mix]
11. s950tx16wasr10 [163.97][earth portal mix]
12. aisatsana [102]

The album Drukqs was released back in 2001, and after much speculation the omens were all in place. There were stencils on the pavement, then a dirigible floating in the London sky, and after much fanfare, media direction and/or misdirection Syro was finally released by Warp on the momentous date (for me) of September 21st. Syro contains all the hallmarks of Richard D James, drillbit breaks, nifty keyboard swirls, crackles, and vocoders. Syro chugs along at times at a fair pace, and is enhanced with some timely drum n bass breaks. However, as much as I like Syro I can't help but feel desensitized by this new material. It is said that 'Imitation is the highest form of flattery' and Aphex Twin has been imitated, cloned and flattered over the last few years. So the new album lacks the originality factor which slightly takes away from the impact. Saying that, Syro is still a good album.

My Standout Track: minipops 67 [120.2][source field mix]

6. Answer Code Request: Code (Ostgut Ton)

Tracklisting

1. Code
2. Blue Russian
3. Field Depth
4. Odyssey Sequence
5. Zenith
6. Relay Access
7. Status
8. Haul
9. Spin Off
10. By The Bay
11. Axif (feat Elizabeth Bernholz)

Code was released back in June and was released on the German Osgut Ton label. This is an album which showcases Patrick Gräser's talent for making top quality multifaceted subsonic techno. The entire album is a voyage through the techno realm, where there are sonic showers of broken beats, with bass driven barbs that are counterpointed with serene ambiance. Code is layered with dexterous production and breadth, so that the more you listen to Code, the better it sounds.  

My Standout Track: Field Depth

5. HTRK: Psychic 9-5 Club (Ghostly International)

Tracklisting

1. Give It Up
2. Blue Sunshine
3. Feels Like Love
4. Soul Sleep
5. Wet Dream
6. Love Is Ditraction
7. Chinatown Style
8. The Body You Deserve

Psychic 9-5 Club was released in April, and was produced by Australians, Jonnine Standish and Nigel Yang. This was their first album exclusively as a duo since the death of fellow band member Sean Stewart in 2010. Psychic 9-5 Club is acutely atmospheric and measured, the tone is downtempo, and the synthesizer programming is executed with slide rule precision, whilst Jonnine Standish's vocals compliment the mood of every song. To me, this album evokes the same kind of emotion as The Trinity Session by Cowboy Junkies, where there is an intense feeling of intimacy. Psychic 9-5 Club is a thing of exquisite beauty.

My Standout Track: Blue Sunshine

4. Kassem Mosse: Workshop 19 (Workshop)

Tracklisting

1. Untitled A1
2. Untitled A2
3. Untitled A3
4. Untitled B1
5. Untitled B2
6. Untitled B3
7. Untitled C1
8. Untitled C2
9. Untitled D1

Workshop 19 was released back in February, and has been a firm favourite of mine throughout the year. This is a solid techno infused album where Gunnar Wendel balances his experimentation with content of the highest quality without trying to reinvent the wheel, or be edgy. There is the contrast of the superlative arrangement within these tracks, which sound contemporary, yet there is room for tracks that are ambient and introspective in nature. Towards the latter part of the album things are allowed to go a little darker where the soundscape is just stunning in all it's hypnotically grooved brilliance. Workshop 19 is just a fantastic album, and that is due in part to Kassem Mosse's content, experience and skill.

My Standout Track: Untitled A2

3. Martyn: The Air Between Words (Ninja Tune)

Tracklisting

1. Forgiveness Step 1
2. Glassbeadgames
3. Empty Mind
4. Drones
5. Love Of Pleasure
6. Two Leads & A Computer
7. Forgiveness Step 2
8. Like That
9. Lullaby
10. Fashion Skater

The Air Between Words was released in June and represented Martijn Deykers first release on Ninja Tune. The album is a rich tapestry of techno, house and bass which benefits from slick production, with crunching beats blended with slick synth lines whilst being underpinned by meaty basslines. This album excels when Martyn experiments, and this is evident in his collaboration with Copeland, with the standout track, The Love Of Pleasure, which has been a personal favourite of mine all year. The Air Between Words is an album that I've enjoyed listening to a lot this year.

My Standout Track: The Love Of Pleasure

2. Lone: Reality Testing (R&S Records)

Tracklisting

1. First Born Seconds
2. Restless City
3. Meeker Warm Energy
4. Aurora North Quarter
5. 2 Is 8
6. Airglow Fires
7. Coincidences
8. Begin To Begin
9. Jaded
10. Vengeance Video
11. Stuck
12. Cutched Under

To be quite honest, I don't know where to begin in expressing my admiration for this album? Reality Testing was released in June and is an absolute classic. I love breaks, and I have nothing but huge respect for what Matt Cutler has achieved here. Every time I listen to Reality Testing I want to hear it again and again. There is a positive uplifting tone to this LP which is just intoxicating. It's a combination of punchy old school breaks, that are centred around adeptly programmed keyboards, with incisive vocals that seems to capture the mood perfectly. I want make it perfectly clear that this album isn't exactly inventing the breakbeat techno wheel here. Breaks and techno have been done before. But what Matt Cutler has achieved, is that he has created a body of work that has character, and not only has it reinvigorated the genre, but it has been accomplished with a sense of originality, and panache. Reality Testing is phenomenal, and has had me in it's spell for quite a while.
Take a bow Lone.

My Standout Track: Aurora North Quarter
(It's been very difficult to single out a stand alone tune)

1. Andy Stott: Faith In Strangers (Modern Love)

Tracklisting

1. Time Away
2. Violence
3. On Oath
4. Science & Industry
5. No Surrender
6. How It Was
7. Damage
8. Faith In Strangers
9. Missing

One of my favourite albums of 2012 was Luxury Problems by Andy Stott, which was an accomplished album in it's own right. I wondered how Andy Stott might possibly follow an album of such quality. The answer came in November, when Faith In Strangers was released on the Modern Love imprint. Faith In Strangers is a worthy successor to the legacy of Luxury Problems. It steps up a gear and increases in intensity, but is restrained when needed. It's dark and overpowering with moments of sonorous growling, but has moments of calm and serenity. Alison Skidmore supplies vocals, which enhances to the ethereal nature of the composition.

What I like about Faith In Strangers is it's distinctiveness. Andy Stott isn't afraid to experiment, In the many times when it is loud, it sounds epic, and when there are those sedate moments it sounds like the calm before the storm. The emotion is palpable and the genius is in Andy Stott's ability to create atmosphere throughout the album. All these ideas are moot if they aren't executed with precision, and Faith In Strangers is a success because of the culmination of these factors.

Faith In Strangers is my number one album of the year, It was a difficult decision, there was a lot of strong competition this year, however I think it's a worthy winner.

My Standout Track: Violence

My Top 30 Albums of 2014
30. Legowelt: Crystal Cult 2080 (Creme Organization)
29. The Cyclist: Flourish (All City Dublin)
28. Recondite: Iffy (Innervisions)
27. Sully: Blue (Keysound Recordings)
26. Actress: Ghettoville (Werkdiscs/Ninja Tune)
25. Lenzman: Looking At The Stars (Metalheadz)
24. Throwing Snow: Mosaic (Houndstooth)
23. Ekoplekz: Unfidelity (Planet Mu)
22. Altered Natives: Sin Elevated Art (Eye4Eye Recordings)
21. Moire: Shelter (Werkdiscs/Ninja Tune)
20. Wen: Signals (Keysound Recordings)
19. Objekt: Flatland (PAN)
18. Lucy: Churches Schools And Guns (Stroboscopic Artefacts)
17. Max Graef: Rivers Of The Red Planet (Tartelet Records)
16. Caustic Window: Caustic Window LP (Rephlex)
15. Vermont: Vermont (Kompakt)
14. Addison Groove: Presents James Grieve (50 Weapons)
13. Francis Harris: Minutes Of Sleep (Scissor & Thread)
12. Cristian Vogel: Polyphonic Beings (Shitkatapult)
11. Om Unit: Inversion (Metalheadz)
10. Todd Terje: It's Album Time (Olsen)
09. Eomac: Spectre (Killekill)
08. Copeland: Because I'm Worth It (Self Released)
07. Aphex Twin: Syro (Warp)
06. Answer Code Request: Code (Ostgut Ton)
05. HTRK: Psychic 9-5 Club (Ghostly International)
04. Kassem Mosse Workshop 19 (Workshop)
03. Martyn: The Air Between Words (Ninja Tune)
02. Lone: Reality Testing (R & S Records)
01. Andy Stott: Faith In Strangers (Modern Love)