JB. Magazine

Finding lists as a review for a passing year at the beginning of December doesn’t feel right. The year isn’t over and the last month is known for some more surprises. As the new year just started, I can now give a résumé about 2009. There won’t be a kind of structure, no numbered lists, just a few memorable moments and so I begin with the first part: music that created some sensations at JB. And it’s no surprise that most of the best music last year came from England …


The person with the most impact on me in 2009: Joy Orbison. He was that one guy that totally blew my mind with his debut on Hotflush Recordings. A perfect repetitive dance tune with tons of good temper. Congrats to label owner Paul Rose for showing again, that he has some real aces up his sleeve and has the ability to surprise over and over again. That makes Hotflush such a good and valuable label. As Joy Orbison’s track “Hyph Mngo” got pretty hyped, rightly of course, I play the track of the flipside that almost got missed:


Joy Orbison — Wet Look Hotflush Two 009

But that’s not enough … flying around on the web for a while, his debut on his own label Doldrums finally came out on vinyl around November 2009. Two more tracks, two more bangers.


Joy Orbison — BRKLN CLLN Doldrums 001

Okay, one more! Could paste all his other tunes, ’cause I’m a fan! I love this remix for a José James song (Flying Lotus production):


José James — Blackmagic (Joy Orbison’s Recreation) Brownswood 040

Next one is Instra:mental, the production duo from London. I’ve never been too deeply into Drum & Bass, but there had been some good moments I can refer to. And Instra:mental perfectly captures this feeling with “Watching You”, they put some catchy melodies to it, stock up with a piece of R&B and create this perfect song. Killer! “Its really about taking vibrating electrons and creating a new reality.”


Instra:mental — Watching You Non-Plus+

If that was for you, go and check the two tracks of their Apple Pips release, a highly recommended label (see next artist on the list). On Apple Pips 009, there is a dubstep track “Forbidden” with this tremulous monster bass that carries you far away and the 4/4-track “Leave It All Behind” with a similar spirit as “Watching You”.

To keep track with Orbison, I choose Ramadanman, because he takes the same line. A funky floating UK garage house track that brings back the summer in your winter home … “Humber” came out on Apple Pips, one of my favourite labels to date, run by the versatile producer and incredible music selector Laurie Osborne aka Appleblim from Bristol. Nice video, made by Vector Meldrew.


Ramadanman — Humber Apple Pips 005

Another outstanding tune comes from the irresistible Hyperdub camp: Darkstar. “Aidy’s Girl Is a Computer” is actually pop-electronics played/sung by robots, a huge melodic heartbreaker. Playing this in a DJ set means hands up in the air! Awesome!


Darkstar — My Aidy’s Girl Is a Computer Hyperdub

Okay, one …eh two more, because I said, I’ll keep it short. But I have to mention Untold and Pangaea, also from the Hessle Audio camp, a very special label founded by Ramadanman (David Kennedy), Ben UFO (Ben Thomson) and Pangaea (Kevin McAuley). One of the best labels around. But I take Untold’s release on Scuba’s Hotflush Recordings with the track “Dante” here and another heartbreaker in the list, Pangaea’s “Memories”, a singlesided white label with an unimitable consistent track. Unbelievable!


Untold — Dante HFT 005


Pangaea — Memories white label

There should appear some more names here, Peverlist for example, Pearson Sound, Zomby or Martyn for his “Great Lenghts LP”. But as I said before, I try to restrict the list to a few names and songs, so we better go on for the next …