Best of 2021!
Reissues
Niko Tzoukmanis – Hope Is The Sister Of Despair (Libreville Records)
Originally released in 2013 on CD and digi, this year Libreville provided us with the vinyl version of this most beautiful of albums. Tzoukmanis has a pretty special sound, and on this record he conveys his message pretty much entirely through melodic patterns, and its something to drift away to. Simply stunning.
Check it out here:
One of those album for the ages kind of affairs, its hard to not be ensnared by the hypnotic qualities that this record possesses. Originally released in 85', there's a spectrum of colour and rhythm to involve yourself within, with the expressions found on the tracks veering along that timeless spectrum.
Check it out here:
The KMA crew smash it out of the park once more with a dual release EP that shines a light on the incredible house music of the Cosmic Underground and the Fairer Sex. Its Deep House but with plenty of flair and imagination thrown in, so even if you are at home and put it on, the euphoria is invigorating. Timeless stuff.
Check it out here:
https://www.discogs.com/release/18551467-Cosmic-UndergroundFair-Sex-REZ6six
One of our favourites from this year. Proxy shone a big old light on the Dutch Boom Generation's discography within this comp, with the music found within showcasing the full power of house and techno. Not one weak track on this, winners across the board.
Check it out here:
https://proxy-records.bandcamp.com/album/boom-generation-1991-1995-proxy01
A very special Jazz record. This album has it all, from freeform piano laden segments through to beautifully crisp and dynamic full band arrangements, the flows are inspired and effortlessly intriguing - and we cannot get enough of it.
Check it out here:
This excellent collection of music brings together the forms and shapes of Johanna Pigott's Scribble project, and oh boy does the journey we go on really hit new heights of beauty and excellence. Blending Pop sensibilities with Balearic notions, dusty electronic grooves and future leaning soul, its got it all.
Check it out here:
Staubgold strike gold once more on this stunning 7" from the enigmatic Chantage group, with the track featured here indicating their scope and depth as a group. Originally released in 83', the music still sounds undeniably fresh - and would fit alongside any contemporary dub music with ease.
Check it out here:
One of our absolute highlights of the year. En-To-End were certainly one of the best groups to emerge from the UK scene during the mid to late 80s, and their discography all sings beautifully. This reissue from Backatcha was most welcomed, and simply highlights what geniuses these guys were - electronic soul, at its finest.
Check it out here:
Azar Lawrence was well known for his jazz roots, but here he goes full blown 80s boogie, and the results are off the chain. The grooves are largely up tempo, providing a dance along feeling that never leaves, and for us it left a lasting impression on our 2021.
Check it out here:
Well well, this record. Smiling C have an outstanding pedigree for releasing awesome records from the past, but this might be our favourite of them all. The Bernhardts combined boogie sensibilities with the grooves of 80s alternative disco themes, and this 4 tracker celebrates all of those feels spectacularly. A special record.
Check it out here:
Featuring some of the finest talents NYC had to offer in the 1980s, this previously unattainable boogie classic has been bought back into life, and its relevancy as a stepping stone into the garage years to come remains solid as hell. This record is groovy as hell, and points in all directions as to where music was turning to.
Check it out here:
Klasse Wrecks have had another strong year, and our pick of the bunch has to be this reissue of Plink Plonk alumni Pluto. Pluto's music is powerful, blending melodic sequences with heavy hitting rhythmic structures, with this EP showcasing his ability to weave an audience around his little finger. Power!
Check it out here:
Another one from the EM imprint sees the release of a weird and truly wonderful collection of tunes from the mind of Brenda Ray. Hard to pin down exactly from a musical point of view, the beauty here lies in the depth and texture that she is able to convey within her sound, along with the extraordinary spectrum of influences that she is so effortlessly able to distill down and convey. Amazing stuff.
Check it out here:
https://emrecords.bandcamp.com/album/dya-hear-me-naffi-years-1979-83
2021 saw the restart of the iconic Pacific Records imprint, and with it the digital reissues of some of their classic releases. Whilst there have been plenty to pick from, we just had to go with the reissue of 'The Theme' as our favourite - a true House classic, we suggest going off and checking it out, in all its remastered glory. Spectacular!
Check it out here:
https://hotlizardpacific.bandcamp.com/album/the-theme-2021-remasters
Time Capsule once again reach for the solid gold with this wondrous collection of tunes from Angolan singer song writer Mário Rui Silva. Inspired deeply by Angola's music and cultural heritage, Silva would combine these feels with Brazilian guitar music and electronic influences to craft a series of spellbinding 80s records, with the best cuts featured here. Amazing, in every sense of the word.
Check it out here:
https://timecapsulespace.bandcamp.com/album/stories-from-another-time-1982-1988
Originally released in 97' to sit alongside his seminal early EP releases, Metamatic's debut LP is a masterclass in fusing various Electronic threads together. Techno, House, Minimal and D'n'B all sit alongside one another here with such amicable intentions, and goes to show how much control the guy had over his musical world.
Check it out here:
https://metamatics.bandcamp.com/album/a-metamatics-production
This one kind of flew under the radar, but oh boy is it excellent. Martini only recorded one single back in 1985, and since then it has become one of the most sought after Boogie tunes of its time. Its easy to see why, with her unique delivery and intriguing instrumentation behind, there's a lot to love, and now we have the record in our hands once again.
Check it out here:
https://www.discogs.com/master/1997089-Martini-Love-Is-Give-It-To-Me
On their latest release, Hot Mule present to us a collection of tunes from the mind of Teddy Lasry, a trailblazing synth obsessed multi-instrumentalist who was always looking beyond into the further realms of possibility. This record handpicks some of his finest moments from 75 to 87, and within that coverage there is so much to dip into, adore and admire. What a life, what a musician, what a collection.
Check it out here:
Originally released in 1977, the music of Roland Bocquet is a sheer delight to engage with, and this record provides a vibrant insight into his world. Veering between an enormity of genes, from quiet yet expressive piano sequences, electronic leaning groovers and long range guitar led odysseys, its got something for everyone.
Check it out here:
For their second release, Philoxenia turned their attentions to the divine talents of pioneering Mexican producer Mateo Lafontaine, who's stunning take on EBM and techno have left a huge mark on contemporary electronic music. This mini-album brings together some of his finest pieces from the late 80s and early 90s, and as a listening experience it doesn't get much better than this.
Check it out here:
https://www.discogs.com/release/20338582-Decada-2-La-Noche-Del-Atomo
On one of our favourites from this year, Black Fire reissue this wonderful record from Theatre West, a group spearheaded by Clarence Young III. Young bought together many talented musicians within his troupe, and this record represented their finest cuts, and its a synth laden soul journey through to the outer realms and back.
Check it out here:
https://black-fire.bandcamp.com/album/bow-to-the-people
Such a groover, this one. Re-Warm have good pedigree in highlighting excellent records from the past, and this new one from SA disco artist Lucky Mereki is an absolute stunner. Moving from big and beefy melodic disco numbers through to gorgeous slow boogie burners, this album has it all.
Check it out here:
https://luckymereki.bandcamp.com/album/re-warm-007-you-got-me-dancing
Originally released in 2008 on CD only, this glorious ambient album from Koss finally gets the wax treatment from the always reliable Mule Musiq. Beautiful simmering tones, designed atmospheres and lush vibrant textures, this is one to dip your head within and really get to know.
Check it out here:
The legendary V4Visions label has been the subject of much attention from the Numero group in recent years, and following on from the digital release of the iconic 91' sampler album, this vinyl version features some further cuts from the label's incredible discography. Highlight certainly includes the rare version of 'Dreaming' by Ashaye - go and cop it!
Check it out here:
https://v4visions.bandcamp.com/album/v4-visions-label-sampler
For their second release, Calax turn their attentions to the ethereal talents of singer and producer Cora, with this album being issued on vinyl for the very first time. Scrap book almost in terms of tone, the music flows subconsciously from one side of the mind to the other, gracefully touching the soul as emotion, love and loss burst forth from all corners. One of the best reissues of the year, for sure.
Check it out here:
Yet another slice of gold from Mad About makes our list, this time in the form of the ultra rare Kenny Mann/Liquid Pleasure private press boogie album. Its easy to see why this record is so sought after, with such a flow occurring between tracks that are all expertly delivered and beautifully conceived. One for the ages.
Check it out here:
https://madaboutrecordslabel.bandcamp.com/album/kenny-mann-with-liquid-pleasure
A sheer masterpiece this one. Its amazing to think about how little this group recorded together, but on this reissue from Far Out we get to see the group doing their thing in all their glory. A jazz fusion album at its core but with so much more to it than that, the things that these guys did to create space within space, boundaries beyond boundaries, is just unreal.
Check it out here:
https://marcosresendeindex.bandcamp.com/album/marcos-resende-index
For their second release, Canela En Surco shone a light on the talents of Spainish producer Alex Martin, who released a plethora of amazing tunes in the 90s. Placing his various aliases side by side, its a beautiful spin through the mind of one of the all time greats. Stellar!
Check it out here:
https://canelaensurco.bandcamp.com/album/alex-martin-classics-1994-1998-cnl-002