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…
51
We were very happy to release this stunning deep house 4 tracker from Chilean producer Massiande earlier this year. Growing as a big fan of US Soul, Jazz and Disco, he found his way into music production through House and his biggest influences have been artists such as Larry Heard, Ron Trent and Chris Brann (aka Wamdue Project) and this is illustrated here - an EP grounded in the sounds of classic Chicago house.
52
Two long form pieces for half-remembered journeys across post-industrial Yorkshire as Craven Faults channel krautrock with a Yorkshire slant. Epic!
53
Neil McDonald now graduates to the main Firecracker label (after Unthank releases) for a full Lord Of The Isles release. he also delivers the goods (as we were very happy to show on 3 Phonica releases!) Taking shape as a six-track 12′′, the record features glacial techno and downtempo, cinematic melancholia; a fitting tribute to peaks conquered, whisky-drenched travelogues, warehouse parties, long drives and fried afters.
54
Fort Romeau’s second outing for Running Back is another exercise in dance floor synthesis. “Emulators” greets us with the grey realism of an E-MU II. Purchased first by none other than Stevie Wonder, immortalised in Ferris Bueller’s ode to absenteeism and the original loon sampler, there is nothing this machine cannot do for yoHis disco-informed, trance-induced tracks that usually end on a high note, are elevated by ambient soundscapes that end with a bang and sugarcoat your warm-up slots, while bird-heavy bonus beats that stand up on their own or help you out in the mixu - the same goes for Fort Romeau.
55
Whities seem to do now wrong this year with 3 releases in the top 100. Minor Science returns with more genre defying bass experiments on this 2 track Whities 12".
56
Joy Orbison took this year's breaks sensation to another level with 'Off Season', a menacing track suitable for a warehouse with some killer sub bass, runaway breaks and some very atmospheric moments indeed. Check out also Joy O's Dekmantel Selectors which made our list of top compilations this year.
57
Primarily a techno producer, Donato Dozzy puts on his tech-house hat this time for four driving, futuristic tools. The regimental and plodding 'B' (A1) really does it for us. Squelching synth loops that make your face crease, shimmering chimes and a driving sub-bassline. This one is for very dark basements..
58
Randomer is back at once again for L.I.E.S. and again delivers the goods. Taking the entire a-side is Smokin, and it does exactly that as it's a full on club fuelled rugged electro cut that does the job straight up and down. Velvet opens the b-side on a different note building huge tension with its buried rave chords waiting just for the right moment for the drums to drop, a proper club beast if used at the right time.
59
Music titan Kamasi Washington’s extended play Harmony of Difference was the first new music from Washington since his universally acclaimed 2015 debut album The Epic - a six part suite that explores the philosophical possibilities of the musical technique known as “counterpoint,” which Washington defines as “the art of balancing similarity and difference to create harmony between separate melodies.”
60
Todd returned this year, bucking trends and shucking conventions to bring us two tip top reworks of an as yet unreleased original. Now you can't trust any old knob-twiddler with an assignment this specialist, so it's only right that Terje invites a pair of esteemed audio experts onto the ISS Olsen for operation 'Jungelknugen'. Four Tet and Prins Thomas no doubt.
61
The rave aesthetic is back and back with a smile, a whistle and an airhorn on this excellent EP og gnarly breakbeat, electro, acid, Sheffield bleep and acid! One of the best of a slew of rave tracks this year.
62
Harrison BDP definitely established his name this year with his track included on the excellent 'Fair EP' , the Tour 001 release (which wouldve made it in our top 100 aswell) and this solid 4-track EP.
63
Sweely delivered the first of Lobster Theremin's LT Records series. 'Nice Archive Traxx Vol. 1' from Sweely is a lesson in raw, deep, hissing and acid flecked house!
64
Violet's 'Togetherness' is pure jungle-referencing dancefloor ammunition. You will see this one appear in some of our artist's best of 2017 charts for sure!
65
This hand stamped white label from The Hammer Hits flew off the shelves as soon as it landed. Hammer's peak time disco rework is guaranteed dancefloor heat!
66
John T. Gast brought us two new productions via one of our favourite labels, Blackest Ever Black. High-tech dancehall tracks with an ethereal, rhythmic and ambient edge!
67
Dorisburg's first missive since his debut album, Irrbloss, is the most deadly distillation of his talents yet. Hypnotic basslines ripple out into grand atmospheric journeys, "Venom" for the black of night, "Serum" with a hint of light on the horizon.
68
Excellent 4-track EP on the French label STRCTR featring productions from 4 up-n-coming names such as Harrison BDP, ManooZ and Dub Striker. The lead beautifully-produced deep house track from Matthieu Faubourg managed to garner half a million plays on You Tube which shows that there is a demand for this sound outside of those like us who are dedicated to vinyl!
69
DJ Windows XP's delivered 5 Acid, Breakbeat and House influenced cuts on the ever-interesting 'Who's Susan' imprint! A firm favourite of many influential DJ this year.
70
Sheffield-based CPU have been flooding the shop with exciting releases this year (see Detromental 'Move/Rewind' in our Reissue Singles chart!) and Neil Landstrumm's 'A Death, A Mexican and A Mormon' is no exception. On his latest release he channels the spirit of the short-lived bleep techno. Trippy, heavy on the sub jams that are absolutely mind melting! Check out 'Sahara' for some Kraftwerk-inspired rising synth melodies.
71
More solid lo-tech jams came from E-BEAMZ. The A side is full-whack hard-hitters for the floor, 'Work' rolls with an overdriven bassline and cheeky vocals, droppin' and smackin'. The B side gets all RnB a cappella up in here, with 'Shawty' rounding out the EP in a stylish, weightless fashion.
72
This was initially released as a promo-only white label, which everyone flocked to purchase! Pangaea's sparse, stripped back, minimalistic approach and Holloway's roof-raising diva vocals make it a futuristic club classic!
73
Barac Nicolae showcased his unique sound with three very special and personal cuts for LMD020. Mesmerizing Breakbeat and Dub House!
74
Meda Fury's first ever vinyl only 12" showcased Pletnev aka Ponty Mython's new found love of world music flavours, and sweet collage of tribal drum work and afrobeat vocals stiched together with acid gurgles and breakbeats. Squarely aimed for working the dancefloor.
75
KiNK on Running Back is always going to be killer! This EP included three 90s sounding, disco-house influenced cuts. Perfect peak-time material!