Wrapping up 2009... pt. 2

Various Production/Gerry Mitchell - The Invisible Lodger
Various Production has always been bit of hits'n'misses for me. I love their take on modern folk (magnificent track "Home" is the best example), enjoy some of their dubstep... but can't really stand their excursions towards pop music. However, with this album they completely got me. Since Tricky's "Angels With Dirty Faces" no other album has reached me in this way - apocalyptic fin de siecle at it's finest. The LP wouldn't be halfway that good if it wasn't for Gerry Mitchell - Scotish poet, performer, musician. This guy has a better voice than David Sylvian, mark my words!


Bullion - Young Heartache
While 2008 was definitely Fly-Lo's year, the most interesting hip hop (nu hip hop?) stuff in '09 was provided by Brits. Alongside Jamie Vex'D "In System Travel", this is probably the freshest British take on hip hop of the last year. 4 quality tracks, wicked sampling (best in ages!) and this GROOVE! Furthermore, 'Long promised' is one of the most beautiful soulful tracks of this decade.


Planetary Assault Systems - Temporary Suspension LP
It's been so long since Luke has released PAS full LP so I didn't know what to expect from this one. As soon as I heard the previews I knew I wouldn't be disappointed. Paradoxally, I like this LP so much because it partly sounds as if it was produced in the late 90ies. On the other hand, it's quite obvious, as I love Luke's stuff from the 90ies and hate 90% of what he did between 2002-2008. As the next Mote-Evolver is gonna be PAS once again, I hope he sticks to this direction for longer. But why oh why there are only 6 tracks on the 12" edition?


Pepe Bradock - Swimsuit Issue 1789
2009 was a very good year for house music - if it was Terre Thaemlitz who delivered the best album of the genre, then the title of best house EP goes to Pepe Bradock. Both main tracks are typical of Bradock, yet I consider it to be the best Atavisme release so far.
Bradock has always seemed to me as the missing link between US house a la Theo Parrish and French aesthetics - think early Daft Punk.

2nd II None - Waterfalls (Peverelist Rmx)
Basically, the track was made in 2008. I was after it for many months before it was actually released in April '09. It must be my favourite dubstep track so far. Love the way it builds its tension, starts off as a fairly calm one... and then the arpeggio comes in and makes me wanna jump at walls.
Pevie delivered lots of wicked stuff in '09, including his debut LP. He didn't manage to beat dis rmx tho.

ESSENCE