The 50 Best Albums of 2016
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Rather than focus on particular tracks, we prefer to focus on entire singles here at Phonica, be they 7inch, 10inch or 12inch – there has to be a physical release for it to be included in our chart. It’s the hardest chart of all to compile. So, what can be said of the ‘sound’ of the 2017 single?
Many trends have passed through our racks this year. The ‘lo-fi’ house aesthetic continues to remain strong and has actually converted into genuine big-selling lo-fi anthems from the likes of DJ Seinfeld, Mall Grab and DJ Boring and reliable labels such as Lobster Theremin, E-Beamz, Shall Not Fade, Distant Hawaii and the like.
There has definitely been a resurgence of releases revisiting the rave aesthetic and the sound of the breakbeat (even drum n bass) such as the likes of Textasy ‘Welcome to the Darkroom’, Coco Bryce releases, Dj Normal 4’s huge ‘ 5 Elements EP’ or even the more melodic ‘Rave sunrise’ sound permeating tracks from Shanti Celeste or practically the entire Bicep album (but especially ‘Glue’)!
The trouble with our favourite singles chart is that a lot of these records have gone and won’t be coming back – limited presses create hype and a lot of labels are happy to see this hype build, Discogs prices rise but mostly, in the end, a repress does appear and that’s when the record gets noticed. Whities, Acting Press, Regelbau / HELP, Sued, Firecracker and World Building are all labels we struggle to get as many copies as our customers want. Conversely, there are still huge records that just continue to fly out as soon as they come back – Midland’s ‘Final Credits’ has now been Phonica’s bestseller for 2 years in a row!
The top positions were impossible to decide so see the entire top 10 as equal as many of us staff could not agree on our favourites of the year…
26
Utter followed up its acclaimed 10″ debut with RGBPM, Trevor Jackson’s four-piece audio-visual work originally commissioned for a live performance at the Optronica Festival in 2007. A decade on from RGBPM’s lone airing, all four parts are now released together for the first time as a special 12″ package. With 4 different inserts designed and signed by Trevor himself, each representing one of the four RGBPM pieces. With significantly limited release quantities this is certainly a Phonica favourite!
27
Stunning 3 track EP combining intricate melancholic melodies with crisp beats with the excellent 'Eels' ambient track on the flip!
28
Helena Hauff’s latest offering is four, epic, analogue techno excursions on Ninja Tune. Hauff has skyrocketed into the top echelon of DJs and Producers in recent years with a true commitment to her craft as a selector. This release confirms her exceptional production talent with deep and rich industrial cuts.
29
The Danish No Hands/Regelbau crew have been flooding us with great releases this year of thie particular brand of house music. C.K. was a big highlight. It harks back to sounds of 90s rave and features some killer breaks and infectious basslines. Deep and euphoric! Fantastic rhythms on 'Hybrid Textures' on the flip.
30
A formidable remix package for Octa Octa as Maya chose both Dorisburg and Avalon Emerson to be the first people to remix her work....stunning mixes from both, with Dorisburg taking Maya's moody, etheral original to new heights with his trademark intricacy (and that bassline!) or slowed down by Avalon with layers of breakbeat added to the mix.
31
Doc Daneeka hit us with his mixtape series WALK.MAN this year. Four volumes released within just a few months!. Built for the club, these are stomping vocal tunes that have been flying off the shelves. Summer party tunes at their best.
32
Following releases on Dopeness Galore and Rhythm Section, Bartosz Kruczyński released a fresh 12” on our label under his Earth Trax moniker. An introspective emotion laminates throughout the EP which makes it quickly apparent as to why it is titled ‘The Adventurer”. Sit back and mellow out with this one.
33
A great EP of deep and raw house jams from E Davd arrived in the Autumn this year. Another shop favourite, it was our soundtrack into the colder weather. Each track is a real journey and evokes a certain mood (it's not just house music!) 'Nu Age' is particularly special and the title certainly reflects the track. Its a dreamy, pulsing track that both soothes and moves.
34
Unconventional dance music label SUED continue to inspire us with their stripped back, off-kilter house and techno. SW's double LP on the label got a reissue with Apollo this year (See our Best of 2017 Reissue Albums) and is worth checking out! On this one, elusive dream team SW/SVN deliver two stonking anthemic detroit house style club bangers. Get your hands in the air!
35
After the huge success of the 'Letters' EP on Ten Thousand Yen, Rimbaudian (aka DJ Seinfeld) delivered theis summery 4 tracker on translucent orange wax - a big Italian house influence can be heard, alongside his trademark tom-laden jacking drum arrangements and catchy synth lines. Wasn't surprising to see this sell out after one week.
36
Radio Slave celebrates the 100th release on Rekids with this double-sided banger. ‘Another Club’ merges looped vocals with thudding kicks as echoing stabs and infectious hats work their magic. On the flip, ‘Feel The Same’ is a funky slice of Detroit inspired house with that nagging vocal sample - Radio Slave's best for some time!
37
This year, Nicola Cruz served up another round of otherwordly club tunes to make us both trip and dance! 'Espìritu De Protección' is the highlight here. Wth tribal chorus vocal snippets, a very dextrous flute player/synth and a stomping rhythm, you can't help but move to this one. There is even a 'Flute-A-Pella' which, as the label describe, is to be used as a cult DJ tool! Check out the flip for some slamming remixes from Russian duo Simple Symmetry.
38
A firm favourite by the staff in the shop. The tracks are a great fusion of African percussive elements and electronic sounds with some modern and infective rhythms. The three tracks are varied but all feature a guitar-led melody, loose percussion, heavy bass and unusual instrumentation.
39
Al Zanders' debut on our Phonica label was the remarkable ‘There is Rhythm’ EP. The title track is a cut packed full of punchy synths, percussive drums and sporadic vocals. An exceptionally strong release from an artist who we cannot wait to hear more of in the coming year.
40
KM has been going from strength to strength this year. This release was the first for the year. 'MPCDEEPLIVEDIT' is a hazy and chilled downtempo trip while 'Forest Lore' is a driven Ambient & IDM Electronica excursions. This release was followed shortly after by the eerie noise 12" collab with Beatrice Dillon on The Trilogy Tapes and, more recently, 'Chilazon Garden', an LP of excellent hypnotic techno tools on Ominara.
41
The elusive and mysterious S.O.N.S effortlessly flicker between elements of UK techno, acid, deep house and hardcore. We would have loved to have stocked more of these limited releases if we could have!
42
Lo-Fi House sensation Ross From Friends treated us to a double pack this year on Magicwire following up a very successful 'You'll Understand' EP last year. Loose beats, vintage 808s and hip hop-esque sampling are his forte. Raw house jams ready to be let loose on a club near you.
43
Australian party guy Mall Grab returned with three in-demand, club focused records on Hot Haus. Both B .F .O .D .A .A .S and Catching Feelings twist hip hop samples (Mad CJ Mac and Outkast respectively) into infectious and club-ready cuts. ‘Pool Party Music’ gives us a snapshot into to what will undoubtedly be another hot year for Mall Grab in 2018.
44
Featuring a hand stamped logo of the Doncaster warehouse which Mella Dee proudly calls part of his stomping ground, Techno Disco Tool “does exactly what it says on the tin [sleeve]”. A high energy three-tracker that is sure to set the dance floor alight, the record is full of early disco flavours merged with an amiable tech-house progression.
45
DJ Seinfeld’s sunrise EP is the tip of a breakthrough year for the Swedish native. Noted for his melancholic and acid tinged electronic style, Sunrise utilises chopped vocals to create an eerie and nostalgic mood.
46
Released in December ‘Song for Mr. Lewis’ was another Phonica White that we were delighted to release! Austin Ato utilises a mix of live and electronic production techniques to fashion the ‘classic house’ sound of piano melodies and percussion drums. However, it is the sampling of civil rights activist John Lewis speech on American gun crime that is our take away highlight, a fitting message in recent times.
47
An excellent release from this up n coming Tokyo producer who has inspired us this year with her Dj sets and productions. Inspired by her first visit to Cocktail D'Amore (Discodromo's infamous Berlin party), Powder gives us 3 tracks of sensual, melodic grooves combining Italo disco & house in her unique way.
48
The one and only PLO Man returned on the very collectable and in-demand Acting Press label with the brilliant 'Powerline' 12". Two deep, spacious Techno explorations for your mind, body and soul.
49
Merging the electro sounds of his native city with the pulsating drums of his native land, Waajeed tapped into his African roots when producing this killer piece of Detroit house.
