5:5:5: XII. 2019.

Making a triumphant return after a year off, what a treat to present such a passionate saliva-inducing stack of carefully selected 2019-inspired track quintets, personally picked by this wonderful bunch…

So why not sit back and dig in, I’m gonna!

| Branner Griswell | Damian Evans |
| Rodrigo King Lagoon | Readsy |
| Kubla Khan | Stephen Kin;aesthetic |
| Alphabets Heaven | Electric Ape |
 | zillagramwiches | Proprio |
| Aidan Maartens | Ring Modulator |
| Scaramanga Silk |

 

1.

Beniko - Kanimambu

[1999, Jacko Production]

One of the tracks that has most filled me with happiness this year! I particularly love the guitar sound and solo. I've not really come across this style before. When I DJ this track I bring in a kick on the pulse for extra dance-ability. Thanks to Louis Reader for bringing this one to my attention.

2.

Dogo Niga - Kimbau Mbau

[2017, Nyege Nyege Tapes]

Because this feels like a future sound of music. From the Tanzanian Singeli scene and on a compilation from Nyge Nyge Tapes, a record label releasing similar frenetic, boundry and tempo pushing music. Not sure exactly what this song is about but the subjects surrounding this style tend to be about the challenges of Tanzanian youth. Satirical lyrics about topics from police corruption to dating when you’re broke.

3.

Babylon Trio - My Crazy Lover

[2018, Rebel Up]

Now when my DJing goes the way of Omar Souleyman, I have something to go nicely alongside, in a similar style, that isn't also Omar Souleyman. I love the variety of sounds and how it goes a bit chaotic. Keeps the listener on their toes; you don't quite know whats coming next on first listen. Surprise is one of my favourite elements to have in music.

4.

Panda Bear - Cranked

[2019, Domino]

Lovely sounds and I love a good slow, floaty dream dance. For some further variety in style too. Wish it was longer though...

5.

Maria Mckee - Show Me Heaven

[1990, Epic]

Because it's totally different from the other songs and although I can imagine it being frowned upon by some people reading this, I just really like it. I've felt like listening to it a lot more than lots of other songs I've discovered this year, what can I do!? It feels very much like it's from a by-gone era but also that this era is a another fantastical world where everything is dreamy and full of romantic emotion. It's fun thinking of it in that way.

1.

Clipping - Nothing is Safe

[2019, Sub Pop]

Just when I thought hip-hop had little to say these days....then Boom! This Bad boy makes an impactful appearance into my life! Hope is most thankfully restored. Ok so the tone is Dark, morbid and murky so prepare yourself. Imagine Andre 3000 possessed by demons with a John Carpenter score then after a minimal beatless build up (sounding refreshing and usually emotional from such genre) .....in come the sickest 808 Boom Bip Beats and dark as hell analogue layered synths that will make a grown man wince. Proper business from an album that demands attention.

2.

Kit Sebastian - Senden Baska

[2019, Mr Bongo]

If Portishead collaborated with StereoLab in Rio it could sound something like this. Sounding very 60s inspired, yet standing out with its freshness and extremely catchy chorus that is a guaranteed ear worm. Mr Bongo delivers once again.

3.

Mavis John - Use My body

[1980, Kalinda]

Sometimes rare grooves find their way to you unfashionably via your chosen streaming service picking up on your music habits. On this particular occasion solid Gold was struck. Immediately fell in love with this. Commence the vinyl hunt for this nugget of this so so groovy carribean funk, without hopefully burning too much of a hole in the wallet. One for the summer playlist for sure.

4.

Fat White Family - I Believe In Something Better

[2019, Domino]


If ever you needed the definition of an amazing build up on a record, then this is the master class. Taken from the superb album Serfs Up. A collision of glitchy offbeat electronics that euphorically peak as all the elements bind together resulting with an epic of massive proportion.

5.

Pink Floyd - Astronomy Domine

[1966, Columbia]


2019 celebrated the 50th anniversary of Armstrong and co landing on the moon, so I was inspired to create a playlist with a running theme of space and astronomy. So I rediscover this brilliant psychedelic opening track taken from their understated debut released in 1967 and totally forgotten how good early Syd Barrett Floyd was.

1.

Éliane Radigue ‎– Occam Ocean II

[2019, Shiiin]

Wake up, skip coffee, go straight to stereo. Press play. Sit.

Align chi.

2.

Black to Comm – Fly on You

[2019, Thrill Jockey]

Black to Comm is back in a fierce way. This is oceanic in a different way (see song one). Do not underestimate the genius of weaving in trashcan drum samples and horns, the dichotomy is what makes BtC what they call "sui generis".

3.

Richard Skelton - Spur

[2019, Corbel Stone Press]

Definition of spur (Entry 2 of 2) : a goad to action : stimulus. Perhaps you need to lay down. Breathe. Breathe breath. Breathe clean breath. Clean. Breathe.

4.

Brìghde Chaimbeul ‎– O Chiadain an Lo

[2019, River Lea]

I know a lot of folk into experimental music. The best wells up from the psychic spring of humanity. It's all there. It has always been and Brighde has unearthed it for you. Are we of the ocean or are we of the dirt?

5.

Bill Orcutt ‎– Odds Against Tomorrow

[2019, Palilalia]

Turn it up, lift your skinny fists up to heaven, it's about to get ecclesiastical with 6 strings in here. This is the concluding rite. Go. Go now.

1.

Bjarki - Happy Screams

[2019, !K7]

This song is on an album that really took me by surprise in 2019. This album has multiple bangers for sure. This track speaks to me in particular as it displays that love-hate you get grinding away at work. If you love your job it's beautiful but can also be endless pain for the duration.

2.

μ-Ziq - Mushroom Compost

[1997, Planet Mu]

This guy is one of my favourite artists at the moment. Listened to his stuff a long time ago but I have recently rediscovered and become re-obsessed. Soothing, calming. Crazy. Unexpected harshness at times. Perfect MMORPG music. Such a pretty song.

3.

Skee Mask - Kozmic Flush

[2018, Ilian Tape]

This artist properly took my listening over for a good few months this year. Really mad sounds and crazy variation. This track in particular is a super high energy track, reminds me of the sounds by Luke Vibert as Plug. Amazing synth work. Beautiful drums. Makes me very happy. Another MMORPG and driving go-to for me.

4.

Tsuruda - Kimchi Crisis

[2019, Alpha Pup]

Absolutely disgusting. Mind bender. Nothing else to say.

5.

O$VMV$M - Lion feat. Rider Shafique

[2017, Lavalava]

This producer featured on my previous 555 I think. Absolutely mad production from every single track by O$VMV$M (Pronounced Osumusm by Rider Shafique). Super stripped back, subtle as hell, but just as powerful as anything much busier. I'm so hyped to see this guy getting involved with other musicians and this collaboration with Rider had me have goosebumps for weeks.

1.

Lorelle Meets The Obsolete – Inundación

[2019, Sonic Cathedral]

Guadalajara’s shoegazer psych rockers returned with my favourite album of 2019.  For me, this track is the highlight - a dark and groovy soundscape of stomping guitar, dreamy vocals and shredded keyboards.

2.

Bat For Lashes – Jasmine

[2019, Bat For Lashes]

Taken from the album Lost Girls which, for me, is Natasha Khan’s best album to date. The 10 tracks were heavily influenced by the music and film of the 1980s and Khan’s vocals are at their absolute finest on this synth-pop gem.  

3.

The Cars – Cruiser

[1981, Elektra]

The sad passing of Ric Ocasek in September led to me revisiting the music of The Cars and discovering some material I hadn’t listened to previously. Taken from their more commercial sounding 1981 album Shake It Up, this is a catchy slice of stomping electro new-wave from the excellent Bostonians.

4.

Banks – Gimme

[2019, Harvest]

Banks’ third album, III, is a gem of an album complete with distorted sonics, experimental beats and vocals ranging from ear-catching pop to some of the most delicate and soulful melodies you’re likely to hear this year. This, the lead single, is an incredibly catchy piece of funky electro R&B reminiscent of some of Timbaland’s more experimental pop productions.

5.

Sleater Kinney – Reach Out

[2019, Mom & Pop]

With St. Vincent on board as producer, it was probably no real surprise to see the band develop a more expansive sound on latest album, The Centre Won’t Hold. However the album (and this belter in particular) still retains all of the essential SK ingredients - attitude, catchy riffs and a rousing sing-along chorus.

1.

Victor Uwaifo & the Titibitis ‎– 5 Days A Week Love

[1980, Makossa]

Nigeria’s Victor Awaifo brought me pure unbound joy with this ecstatic Afro-Caribbean High-Life blend, funk guitar, reggae swing and floating harmonies that’ll keep you buoyed for 5days plus.

2.

Bamileke - Yeya Naya

[1983?, Disques Ocora]

A favourite find of 2019 with amazing ‘Masque Bamileke’ sleeve image, this recording of Yeya Naya carries the passionate free-spirited circling vocalisations and rhythms of an uncredited Camerounian Bamileke group.

3.

Hassan Abu Zeid - أفراح العرب

[1975, Sono Cairo]

Quickening hypnotic instrumental from Egyptian composer Hassan Abu Zeid, dueling percussion / snaking organ is everything, heart picks up with the pace, awaiting those descending tones.

4.

Esnard Boisdur - Mové Moun'

[1992, Sonodisc/Liso Music]

A trio of drums, calabash and the space-warming chants of Guadeloupe’s Esnard Boisdur (and echo-back responses); Gwo Ka just too good.

5.

Bibio - Phantom Brickworks V

[2018, Warp]

Chilly ambience, field murmurs and the comforting reruns of hazy dream piano drifting over you.

1.

The Comet Is Coming - Birth of Creation

[2019, Impulse!]

Joyous, uplifting, catchy, groovy. TCIC move further out towards the stars. Proper funky space jazz – amazing horn playing by Shabaka Hutchings backed up by meaty analogue synths and great drumming. Diverse and imaginative production techniques; loads of analogue tape. ‘One of the most energetic gigs I’ve ever been to’, said Kin;Aesthetic. And he should know.

2.

Ryuichi Sakamoto - Zure

[2017, Milan]

I only came across Ryuichi’s work quite recently when hearing the ‘Revanent’ soundtrack by he and Alva Noto. (Before that, I was only dimly aware of his work with YMO.) Hearing this was stunning: deeply meditative and with a laser-sharp focus on the nature of sound. Beautiful. What have I been missing?

3.

Supermax - Love Machine

[1977, Atlantic]

Adam ‘Ring Modulator’ introduced me to this space disco synth masterpiece. ‘Lovemachine’ is Supermax’s magnum opus: a drum machine-driven, minimal, analogue and string synth disco tour de force. The production is tight with a surprising amount of space in the breakdowns combined with some slightly arrogant lyrics. Irresistible. He is the best you can get.

4.

Barker - Posmean

[2019, Ostgut Ton]

Loved his ‘Debiasing’ EP last year: stunning and exciting techno. With no kick! He’s ploughing a new field here, taking this idea and running with it. Slick production; quite digital with a focus on rhythm and dynamics. Great.

5.

Intense - Streams of Thought

[1995, Creative Source]

I’ve been trawling the golden era of early drum’n’bass/jungle (93-95) and digging a lot of this highly original futuristic stuff (early Moving Shadow, Good Lookin’, etc). I’m in love with a well-executed chopped Amen. Awesome production on this means that it also sounds great at 33rpm as a moody breaks masterpiece.

 

1.

Roberto Murolo – Chi S' Annammora 'e Te

[1956, Durium]

Near where I used to live was a particularly special opportunity to gather, what myself and my partner called, ‘street gold’. I believe this phenomena is quite particular to the town I live in in general but our local spot was especially fecund. Many a kitchen item, chair, book, carpet and electrical item was found with our contributions going back out onto the street. At the pinnacle of our street gold era I remember feeling that we were part of a something quite utopian. One of the last special finds, credited to my partner jen, was a 10” by Roberto Murolo. Murolo was a Neapolitan guitaritist and singer and he apparently credited his vocal ability to his love for diving –he reportedly won the Italian high diving championship in 1937. I find his voice deeply mellifluous and love the stripped down voice and guitar arrangements on these recordings.

2.

Joachim Witt - Tri Tra Trullala

[1982, WEA]

I’ve no idea what he’s on about, but I love the spatial qualities in this and the breathless utterances. This has been on and off the turntable consistently throughout the year and I am yet to be bored by its quite perfect kosmiche chug.

3.

Clyde Borly & His Percussions – Taboo

[1965, Atco]


Taboo is clearly an Exotica standard of sorts with the likes of Denny and Lyman having salient associations. I pretty much love most of the renderings of ‘taboo’ but, for me, Borley, seemingly a bit of an unknown character, does a particularly special take on it.

4.

Nahid Akhtar - Tarasta Hai Yeh Dil

[1974, Columbia]


I’ve been obsessed with Pakistani music this year, especially trawling through productions involving the Tafo brothers or the incredibly productive music director M.Ashraf. This transcendant and beautiful number, full of incredible organ, wah guitar and tight drums, features the beguiling vocals of prolific playback singer Akhtar who I love.

5.

Rezzett ‎– Zootie

[2014, The Trilogy Tapes]

This year has been tough. For me Zootie and its decaying and monolithic jungalisms has been both a soothing balm for my existential dread and an antidote to my ennui. I understand Rezzett are producers Tapes and Lukid who I also admire, the former laying a similarly reductive and lo fi approach to danchall and dub . Can’t quite think of another production, in all its palpable physicality, that is able to take me with a quickness to that blissful feeling of stupid a clock overindulgence.

1.

Boy Harsher - LA

[2019, Nude Club]

From the album Careful released earlier this year, obvioulsy right up the cul-de-sac end of my strasse for anyone that knows me. My sort of dark electroninic danceable pop…..sultry vocals, orchestral stabs and oozings of analogue oscillating throbbings. Stupidly I missed them playing live 10 minutes down the road……ggggrrr. I can’t get enough of this Massachusits duo and of course, if you’ve been following Ring Modulator for the past few ears, you would know this.

2.

Ed Ed feat. Lunapark - 1982

[2018, Exploited]

Shir Khan presents an EP on Exploited. This stunning slab of NDW just builds to a subtle subtlety. Ed Ed’s remix doesn’t distract from the original thankfully. BUT, is this a new track put together by a NDW loving ED ED??? It doesn’t appear in Lunaparks discography. Does it matter? Nah…great track. Dance like a German.

3.

Blue Gas - Shadows from Nowhere

[2019, S.P.Q.R / Best Record Italy]

Originally released in 83’ on Eyes, this piece of Italo bliss was re-relased this year. Beautful piece of space and drum programming. Constant rotation up here at Electro towers since the re-release of this beauty.

4.

Sleep Research Facility - A-Deck

[2019, Cold Spring]

A Deck from the album Nostromo on Cold Spring Records released in 2001. UK based ultra deep drone ambience…….really ..how low can you go and the album gets more and more subsonic…..more claustrophobic than a night with Lustmord. Supposed to represent a journey through the Nostromo Spaceship….latenight journeys to another dimension. Can also rip your speaker system to shreds too…. be warned. Makes LFO sound like Chiptune. Ofcourse, if you’re listening on a shit sound system, this might be 15 minutes of silence….. not my fault.. Blame it on the aliens. Oh and SRF had a new album out this year recorded at the RAF Stealth Fighter Airbase in Marham.

5.

Perel - Monteiro Da Costa

[2019, Uncanny Valley]

From the Karlsson EP, Annegret Perel Fiedler punches on my dancefloor and she likes cats. Nothing else matters. Turn it up and check her out.…….hard as fuck……

1.

Dave Richmond - Nightwatch

[1975, KPM]

There’s no drought of library music brilliance from the legendary KPM imprint, but this clean cut from Dave Richmond is an absolute get-it-on-loop dazzler. Coming over like a brooding blaxploitation dub of Papa Was A Rolling Stone, aloof guitar licks and icy keys toy with the fullest of bass-lines, less is so much more, laced with space, this coolest of cool funk groove has stiff competition on the amazing KPM1157, as it happens, also just re-issued on Be With a couple of weeks ago, grab it!

2.

Estrellia Band - Casa Bianca

[Year Unknown, Minou]

Lucky enough to get an hours’ digging and listening at the super Dig It records in Geneva at the start of the year and picked out this mysterious 10” by the equally mysterious Estrellia Band… Ear struck on first listen by Casa Bianca, recorded somewhen at the Uaddan Casino in Libya, a besotting mix of dusty 60’s psych, Italian swoon and Middle Eastern melody, wonderful … Where are they now?

 3.

Frank Zappa - Outside Now

[1979, CBS]

Outside Now got well and truly stuck on my deck for part of 2019, Outsider Free-RnB from Zappa and co, awkward and beautiful from the abrupt segued opening: Ike Willis’ aching soul refrains, frazzled free-cut electric wails over 11/8 time and warped-out percussion… And a not-so-hidden message.

4.

Dick Hyman & Mary Mayo - Space Reflex (Blues in 5/4)

[2018 Re, MGM]

A glorious jaunty space groove, proto-electronic lounge vibes from the early-60s, re-issued recently by both MGM and Captain High, easy strikes it up with difficult, white noise bursts and electro pops work up against a lounging jazz bass line, divine harmonies and bubbling synth lines, properly forward sounds at the edge of 50s space.

 5.

Serafina Serafina - Say What You See

[2019, Self Release / Bandcamp / Vitamin Concept]

Taken from her under-the-radar, hyper-limited tape release of 2019, Serafina Steer remains to my mind, one of the most exciting and fascinating musicians around, Say What You See is an absolute stunner; meticulously twinning harp and MicroKorg, deftly transporting an impossibly weighted atmosphere, come lose focus within.

1.

Tyler the Creator - A Boy Is A Gun

[2019, Columbia]

IGOR was the album every Tyler The Creator fan had been waiting for. So raw, and so personal.

2.

Rozi Plain - There is no Sun

[2019, Memphis Industries]

 You remember when you were 5 and you’d look up at the stars and you’d feel like you were floating in the night sky? This song is that.

3.

Dreamcast - Up 2 U

[2018, Future Times]

100% style

4.

Jamila Woods - Baldwin

[2019, Jagjaguwar]

Incredibly sharp lyrics. Beautiful orchestration. This will raise you higher.

5.

Reyna Tropical  - Como Fuego

[2019, Self-Released/Bandcamp]

What your summer should feel like.

 

1.

James Blake – Can't Believe The Way We Flow

[2019, Polydor]

The perfect musical encapsulation of the warm fuzzy feeling of pure love.

2.

Cleo Sol – One

[2019, Forever Living Originals]

 Mesmerising 'Modern Psychedelic Soul' gem out of the UK. Had this one on constant loop when it was released.

3.

Brandt Brauer Frick – Fuel

[2019, Because Music]

Scorching orchestral techno, full of suspense and dancefloor power. Devastating.

4.

Drummotive – 77 Astro Black

[2019, Next Phase]

Yet another supremely elegant, smooth and classy outing from this exciting drum & bass / breakbeat producer.

5.

Suitman Jungle - Song Without Words

[2019, Tape Club]

Had to select the full album to do this artist justice.
This one-man live drum & bass act is so refreshing - a unique character, total mastery of his genre, brilliant humour and a fantastically entertaining stage show. Go see him.

1.

Charles Murdoch – WTBL

[2019, Beats of No Nation]

The sound of my summer, having heard it at a sunrise Glastonbury set by an unknown DJ and been wise enough record it on my phone. A wonderfully infectious and jangly dance track to bring a smile to your face and a spring to your step.

2.

Penelope Isles – Underwater Record Store

[2019, Bella Union]

Another festival pick – in the horizontal rain at Green Man, Penelope Isles brought sunshine, flawless playing, dreamy harmonies and proggy escapades. Love the guitar tone and baroquey melodies on this song.

3.

Jesca Hoop (feat. Lucius) – Shoulder Charge

[2019, Memphis Industries]

One of the highlights of a beautiful album. It builds up to a triumphantly uplifting chorus (or is it a bridge?) that is only sung once, showcasing the full range of Hoop’s voice. And it has a strong message at heart: don’t be afraid to lean on your friends in times of trouble.

4.

Lankum – Bear Creek

[2019, Rough Trade]

A wonderful slice of Irish folk. The minor transition just after 3 minutes always gets me, and the track then seesaws lovelily from major to minor (it could have gone on for twenty minutes and I don’t think I would have tired of it).

5.

Bibio – Haikuesque (WXAXRXP Session)

[2019, Warp]

A gentle hypnotic hymn that slowly builds and then quite quickly ends (I think it’s more powerful for being so brief). Typically beautiful harmonies from Bibio.

So great to have such a collective of musical passion to explore, massive thanks as always to the generous selectors above for taking the time to consider and enthuse about some favourite sounds and rhythms that demanded their attentions in (but not necessarily from) 2019, As is now customary, playlisted here is snapshot of the 65 tracks above…

 

All the previous 5:5:5: collections and curations right over here: