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My “Best of 2009″

Posted on | December 22, 2009 by Mark | Comments

So, usually “Best of” lists cross between “top songs of the year” or “top albums of the year” but I would like to dedicate this post  to my favourite producers/DJs of the year and add in a small peppering of best tracks from them, videos and so forth.

These are in no particular order, as placing these from 1 to 10 would be a near impossible task for me, so I’d like to give the names without numbers. (I’ve gone for 11 anyway, who says yes to conformity?) Anyway, enough of my babble, here we go…

Moderat

Mix together two of my favourites from Berlin and you come up with the aptly named Moderat. Consisting of Modeselektor and Apparat, they first formed in 2002 and released an EP. Fast forward to 2009 and they came back, after some differences, and dropped the not so aptly or interestingly named album, “Moderat” on BPitch Control.

So, with standout tracks including “Les Grand Marches”, “Nasty Silence” and “Out Of Sight” the album transcends through and uplifting mix of dark beats, and it’s been on the FMLB stereo ever since it came out. One favourite refix was MMMathias, who cleverly dropped this monster remix of “Les Grand Marches”. If you don’t have the album, snap it up from Amazon.

Birdy Nam Nam

After we went to Rock En Seine and saw these 4 French turntablists rip the main stage a new arsehole on the Friday night, I was left in awe at both the performance and the light show, having never seen SO many French people go absolutely crazy to music made with turntables. It was a pleasure to meet Lil’ Mike in the VIP afterwards and his enthusiasm and attitude was just as fiery as the onstage performance.

I think, If I’m honest, the album has been on my iPod ever since and I’m certain I listen to them at least once a day. “Abesses” which is named after a station on the Paris Metro is definitely one of my favourites. The use of choppy accordion and drums on this slow burner excites me every time I hear it. Here’s some random knowledge for you too:

Abbesses is Amélie’s métro stop in Le Fabuleux destin d’Amélie Poulain; a working title for the film was Amélie des Abbesses (Amélie of the Abbesses).

Vitalic

French master, Vitalic, came back HARD and STRONG with his new album this year. After hearing the Flashmob minimix I couldn’t wait for  it to drop and again, it’s resided on the iPod ever since… The artwork was a stunner too, burning matches tearing down the front, all designed by //DIY – You can peep it over on High Snobiety

Algeronics

Mid-way through the year, an email popped into the FMLB box from a producer I’d never heard of, Algeronics. The reason I’ve included this guy in the list is because I’m tipping George Banzon for big things in 2010 – his killer remix of “Digital Love” by Daft Punk paving the way for next year.

Mustard Pimp

2009 was a big year for Mustard Pimp, having constantly supplied us and you with mixtape after mixtape, each one getting better and better. Particular favourites was the quite frankly ridiculous 12 Hour Hercules Mixtape Marathon set they sent over. Some of the beats on these babies are utterly INSANE and will have you tapping your toes and shaking your head with reckless abandon just minutes into pressing play.

Night Drugs

I’ve got a thing for the French. Well, so it seems with this list, as Night Drugs from Marseille was another producer who popped into the FMLB inbox this year, filling it with track after track of electro goodness.

Now signed to Dirty Disco Youth’s label, I’m expecting a string of new releases that won’t disappoint, just like the exclusive mixtape he sent over for you lot. Remind yourself of the good times.

Wiley

Mr Wiley. You don’t need to say a lot about this Grime lord. He NEVER disappoints me. Standard. Do you think he’s going to go all out in 2010? I think so…

In the meantime check the newest remix of his KILLER collab with Chew Fu.

Delphic

I don’t listen to too many bands, but Delphic, from Manchester, caught my attention this year. The Guardian put it perfectly:

“…because Delphic, a four-piece who rose about a year ago out of the ashes of briefly hyped Manc band Snowfight In The City Centre, are very much a celebration of 80s Manchester. And we definitely mean when New Order’s futuristic disco pop ruled the waves and waived the rules – as opposed to 90s Manchester, when Oasis and the Roses made a virtue out of going back to chirpy harmonies and conservatively deployed guitar, bass and drums.”

I’m LOVING this recent Riton re-rub of Doubt

Stephan Bodzin

A friend introduced me to Stephan Bodzin back in 2007. Reason for Stephan to be included here, not because of something he’s done in 2009, but because it was that magic moment where you forget you have something in your iTunes and blam, it pops back up when you’ve hit random play. It’s this mix, live from the Harry Klein Club in Munich from back in 2007 that rekindled my love for this German techno don.

Boy 8-Bit

Having seen Boy 8-Bit a few times this year, the Mad Decent flame-haired stalwart has released a slew of tracks including “Baltic Pine” and we particularly enjoyed his “Ghoulish Mixtape” for Dazed Digital

Den Haan

Last, but not least, Glaswegians, Den Haan. These guys are stunning. 4am, Fabric on a Sunday morning and they take to the stage. They blew us away with their live performance, for which, at 4am, you’d think would be a little strange…

Not at all. Mixing up their hypnotising lightshow with new age Italo/Disco, it was mesmerising. One of my “tunes of the year” is DEFINITELY “Release The Beast” which you can find on their Fabric Promo mix

I strongly recommend you have a gander at the tracks on Hypemachine for a taster of their smooth smooth vibes. Mainly their GREAT remix of “15 to 20″ by The Phenomenal Handclap Band

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Have your say

  • hey mark. thanks so much. i feel very honored :)
  • Fran6
    Nice choices, for mine I'll probably added Lusine, Rone and depth Affect...
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