My 6 Gems:
Kerrier Collective
Caribou
Sun
Loved this track since we first heard Floating points play it at Plastic People (RIP). It Has the grit and dirt of a rave, but like staying up all night after going out or at a festival it also captures the feeling of the sun coming up ready to wash the day (and maybe our souls) clean again in a glorious shimmering moment. I (Ben) live off grid, so the sun is really important for me to have power and make beats at home. When the sun is gleaming of the solar panels in these winter months I hear ' sun, sun, sun, sun, sun, sun,' and those arpeggiated synths in my minds eye. We are both big fans of Caribou and have been inspired since going to see his live set at Glastonbury this year to pull our finger out and start playing live ourselves.
Tommy Rawson
Vics Music Box
We share a studio with Tommy Rawson down in Cornwall (South West of England). He is a prolific writer and producer with so many records to choose from, but this one we think is a secret weapon of his which has definitely not had the heat it deserves. It's the last track on the Extended Player he did for Boogie Cafe a few years back and our favourite from the release. Its a roller which gives a nod to 90s UK garage with Jungle subs and a quirkiness that reminds us of early Four Tet releases. The second drop when the vocals come in lifts our sprits and makes us want to dance every time. Any nerds out there might recognise a background sample that he also used on a 12' collab with us. When it works it works!
Trevor Loveys
Elevate your mind (Real deep mix)
This is a very early release on Freerange records. One of the best and most consistent UK house music labels still running strong after 20 years and still producing the goods There are a lots of theses early releases still in DJs record bags or on USB sticks but we have not heard anyone pull this one out for a long time, so we're doing it now. This came out in 2003 but could have come out last week with the resurgence and cross pollination of the UK Jazz and Electronic music scenes. Skippy beats and deep jazzy chords roll with the funkiest moog bassline that you just don't get tired of, even in this ten minute long workout. The vocals are on point and the energy does not let up. Enjoy.
Alice Smith
Love Endeavor (Maurice Faulton Remix)
This is a track that continually influences us. Perfect!! What a great combination of electronic and acoustic instruments. The vocal just has so much feeling in it, combined with the piano and Maurice Faulton's production and arrangement this is an amazing record. Maurice is a producer that is not afraid to make you soak up the atmosphere and wait till the very end to give you the goods and its so worth waiting for.
Florence Adooni
Uh-Ah Song
After stumbling on Frafra Gospel singer Florence Adooni and her band in performing at the Humboldt Forum Berlin, they have become one of our most listened artists of the year. The energy and joy of these guys shines through and the rip-roaring pace of this track will make your feet move. Every musician seems to hover above the incredibly complex music they are playing, dancing and smiling with the audience. In the live video of this track everyone is on point, seated in the groove and the drummer takes a staggering drum solo while looking ready to burst out laughing. Brilliant!
Skin Shape
Sudan Ft. Idd Aziz
We could have picked any track from the Umoja album by Skin Shape, or maybe any of his albums for that matter. Normally a one man band producing instrumentals and vocal tracks of deep feelings and introspection combined with hypnotic laid back grooves and lush sonics, it is nice to hear him collaborate with another man with soul on the tip of his tongue Idd Aziz.
