SBTRKT – SBTRKT

Hey hey. After a February-sized break I’m coming back to you with one from the 2011 vaults. Dust it off. Top album.

Be My Husband (Hot Chip Remix Edit) – Nina Simone

I have a really special treat for you today readers.

There have been quite a few Nina Simone remixes coming out recently as part of a Greatest Hits re-issue, and I have been pretty unimpressed. To be fair it is a hard job to take recognisable and established tracks and reimagine them in a way that is an enhancement, without killing what was special about them to begin with. That challenge is amplified when it comes to Nina – her vocals tread a fine line between power and fragility. That tension is why she is such an iconic singer, and why she is able to convey so much emotion through her voice. It is also why most remixes of her tracks seem to miss the mark.

And so how does Hot Chip get this one so right?

I get the sense they are real fans of her work. They treat the vocal with a huge amount of respect and still let it lead the energy and the tone of the track. And then behind it they build up an incredible soundscape with piano, electric guitars and a bassline so thick you can almost touch it. It gets full marks from me.

Riding Through Kyoto – Pablo Bozzi

I’m going to need you to turn the volume up on this one. In fact, while we are at it, maybe close your eyes and visualise some lasers. Better yet, get your face in some lasers.

Its style icon Pablo Bozzi coming at with you some futuristic, yet unmistakably italo beats.

I Won’t Forget – Logic1000

If I say Bicep meets Dusky, then you’ll get an idea for what this track is all about. You’ll find it somewhere in the space between cerebral and ravey. Maybe you’ll like that space.

Logic1000 is the project of Aussie producer Samantha Poulter. This track is another from RA’s Best Tracks of 2021 feature.

Hayling (feat. Hafdis Huld) – FC Kahuna

You might not recognise the artist, but I guarantee you’ll know the song. It’s smooth, dreamy, early thousands electro coming at you from what turned out to be FC Kahuna’s only album. Shame really.

Transcendence – Windows

Early Jan might not be the most clubby time for most people, but I couldn’t help but share this one from Windows (formally DJ Windows XP).

The EP opens up with All the Things You Are; I can only describe it as a thumpy monster. But the best part about it is that I’m pretty sure it samples Estelle & Kanye’s American Boy. Inventive, genius, and did I mention thumpy?

Sunset Love is a bit more on the dreamy side and sounds like an early Wayward track. Also highly likable.

Finally Secrets and Long Gone are both nice atmospheric pieces with nice piano and string leads respectively. I suspect they will last a little less long in the memory, but they both stand up well.

Check it out. I’m looking forward to seeing what he comes up with next.

Best of 2021

Happy New Year HME crew. I’m looking forward to what 2022 has to offer, but before then, one final post on 2021.

I’ve started to form a bit of a theory: are personalised end of year wrap-ups a bit like dreams? Everyone finds their own fascinating and everyone else’s immensely boring…

Anyway… here are my most played tracks of the year courtesy of Spotify and Soundcloud.

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/37i9dQZF1EUMDoJuT8yJsl?si=5a431ddc80694d8d

Soundcloud here

Unravel in the Designated Zone – Anz

Right, it’s fair to say I’m a big fan of this one. It’s Manchester’s Anz with some tasty synth-led house.

I came across this track in RA’s Best Tracks of 2021 feature, worth checking out if you want to have your horizon’s broadened!

Silent Night – The Dickies

Merry Christmas gang.

Okay so this one is a bit leftfield but stay with me. You know how punk music took over the UK in the late 70s? Well why not Christmas music too?

I found this while rooting through my dad’s 45s (7 inch) vinyl collection. Some gems in there (mixed in with a lot of… peculiarities).

Rosewood – Bonobo

It has been a beat since I’ve posted about Bonobo. The guy is my most listened to artist of the year, again, again, so it only feels right. Top 1% of listeners baby.

Anyway he has 4 new tracks out ahead of the release his upcoming album Fragments, including collaborations with O’Flynn, Jamila Woods and Jordan Rakei. My pick of the bunch is Rosewood. Bonobo delivering a trademark Bonobo track. Doing what he does best. Touch.

Bonus: all 4 tracks are on this playlist if you want to check out the others. And let’s face it, why wouldn’t you?

There are tickets on sale to 4 dates he has at the Royal Albert Hall. Definitely worth a look.