Air Valley – James Welsh

Some super glidey electronic from Yorkshire producer James Welsh. This was his breakout EP on Losing Suki from 2012 – it feels fresh and smooth in a way not many artists manage.

My highlight is Talk, where the bass takes a backseat to a simple soulful sample (Baby I’m For Real by Motown group, The Originals). Top marks.

Bonus track: since this EP James has released music on a pretty A-list set of electronic labels (WOLF, Hypercolour, Futureboogie) but he has moved towards a stripped-back darker style that I think loses some of the charm of his earlier work. Having said that, I am a fan of this Lancelot-y number. Enjoy

Wayward

This UK duo have popped up from under the radar to be one of my favourite producers of 2018. They’ve released a load of beautifully trance-inducing, goosebump-raising electronica. The music sounds like an embrace. Think of them as a bit like Four Tet’s housier/trancier cousins.

This EP on SilverBear has a whole bunch of gems.

Bonus track: I couldn’t help myself. Orissa is simply stunning. It is named after an Eastern state of India, and uses a beautiful chanting sample. I’ll say it again, stunning.

Photo credit: Nathan Greenwood

Wax Tailor

Every Sunday I bring you something a little more downtempo to ease you back into the world.

Two albums today from French trip-hop producer Wax Tailor (Jean-Christophe Le Saoût). He has a signature downtempo sound, with heavy use of looped samples from Hitchcockian classic films, but he also produces a couple of throwback hip-hop gems. These albums will take you on a buzzy, hypnotic, confusing journey through time and space. Yep.

Sacrifice – Simian Mobile Disco & Bicep

Find the best speakers you can and turn this one up loud. Do it right and this track will demand your full attention. SMD & Bicep recorded it during a joint jam session, direct onto analogue tape, and you need to hear it properly. So yeah, loud – I’m not joking.

If you’re liking these deep sounds then check out this playlist I put together. A bunch of house tracks full of thick noises to smother yourself in.

Time For Us – Nicolas Jaar

I could have posted any number of Nico Jaar tracks but this single from 2010 on Wolf + Lamb takes the biscuit. He specialises in slightly unsettling, deep electronica with long builds and deep drops – and this has to be the best example: Time For Us drops at 75 BPM. 75 BPM! Now that’s some slow house. Feel it soak your bones. Mi Mujer is a bit more upbeat and exotic to boot – influenced by his Chilean roots. Get your Latin hat on and groove out.

Bonus track: there has to be a bonus track with Nico doesn’t there. Make no mistake, the man has a deep discography for someone born in the 90s. This is the album Nymphs from 2016 – the first two tracks in particular are subtly, and heartbreakingly beautiful.

High Society – High Contrast

Today we are heading back to 2004, with Hospital Records pillar, High Contrast. This guy was pretty much responsible for building my love of drum & bass back in my teens, and this album is one of his finest. Proper goosebump material.

Tutti Frutti, Brief Encounter, Racing Green, Natural High and Twilight’s Last Gleaming are all top level feel-good d&b bangers. Fast breaks, soulful vocal samples and thrubbing bass. It’s a good recipe, and one that he has down.

Hospitality are throwing a day party at Printworks in February. They have put together about as strong a line-up as they can muster with High Contrast being supported by S.P.Y, London Elektricity, Danny Byrd and more. Tickets on sale now.

Projections – Romare

Every Sunday I bring you something a little more downtempo to ease you back into the world.

Romare specialises in taking samples from Afro-American culture and reimagining them into super original, modern electronic tracks. Given that he’s a London-born white man there are some that think his approach is a little disrespectful. I’ll leave you to decide where you sit on that subject. Either way, it’s definitely worth a listen (and if it is your jam, you’re in luck – there’s a second album).

Too Much Information (Laolu Edit) – Dele Sosimi Afrobeat Orchestra

It’s no longer November! The freedom! The joy! Here’s some Afro house from 2002 to heat up your Winter.

https://open.spotify.com/track/1mHdnrcPMlhwFqMrsS9Kbx?si=B-PU2Sj1QdOclWLtL3TBgg

Like what you hear? Well crank up the thermostat and get your teeth into this playlist of like-minded tunes

https://open.spotify.com/user/browneh/playlist/4TflgbhinqGI3abGJ28txn?si=72bZfmEsRLCtG6m_CCUbGQ