5:5:5: XVII. 2023.

Here we go!

The label hibernated in 2023, but the ever dedicated selectors below were always listening, on high ear alert, and once more share their joy, enthusiasm and passion across 5 choice tracks;

discovered and adored during (but not necessarily from) 2023.

It’s an honour to work on this annual pooled 5:5:5:, big thanks and appreciation to everyone here for their contributions…

In no particular order, dear reader, listener,

sound explorer, aural inquisitor;

we invite you on an annual collected music

adventure, like no other

>>>

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

Scaramanga Silk:

1.

The Blessed Madonna feat. The Joy -

Shades of Love

[2023, Margeverse / Warner]

Marea Stamper's anthem defines exactly why we do this music thing and why it is so magical.

This record shows you an individual who is deeply immersed in the culture of house music down to its very essence. Perfectly crafted as a timeless classic of the genre with a unifying message that transcends style.

2.

Pete Cannon - In My Soul (Sumgii 160 Remix)

[2023, N4]

Pete Cannon has become the darling of the rave renaissance with his original hardware productions. For this remix, Sumgii steps up, takes all of that hardcore heritage and fuses it with contemporary 160BPM stylings to arrive at a dancefloor smasher full of smart cuts, chopped breaks, sultry stabs, and lush vocal flourishes, to take things forward.

3.

SHOLTO - Vampire

[2023, Root / Fnr]

It doesn't get much more beautiful than this.

Your 1st listen will turn into your 1000th. Smooth. Sophisticated. Soulful. Stylish.

A soundtrack for the senses.

Sublime and sensational from Oscar ‘Sholto’ Robertson.

4.

Actress - Its me ( g8 )

[2023, Ninja Tune]

The don daddy, Darren J. Cunningham, delivers once again. Masterful and hypnotic, this leftfield experitronic jam hits with a bass loop for the head nodders and hip shakers alike.

Raw and gritty in the lows, yet sultry and sweet in the highs - old meets new in an innovative coexistent form on this essential gem.

5.

Yussef Dayes feat. Rocco Palladino - Tioga Pass

[2023, YD / Brownswood / Warner]

Having been fortunate enough to witness Yussef perform and release several moons ago, his talent was clear. To see him now hit the highs of 'Black Classical Music' has been a thrill to watch.

The headline show at The Royal Albert Hall in 2023 was a massive tribute and measure of his achievements. The classy 'Tioga Pass' takes you deep into the groove and the night.

This scintillating and intoxicating jazzy expedition will always draw you in. Congratulations Yussef. Onwards.

zillagramwiches:

1.

Downhill2k01 - A Body Drying in the Wasteland

[2022, Self-Released]

Producer who is inspired by old video game music from the mid nineties to two thousands and onward. This track in particular is an ambient piece, but the general vibe of this album is super high energy. Some amazing tracks. highly recommend this artist



2.

Lomaji - RR

[2021, Self-Released]

Another old school video game inspired producer. This is the first track I put on when I get in my sim wheel set up for some rally.



3.

Olswel - Thorns

[2022, #8008]

This producer is a young man from the US. and He makes absolutely crazy music. Hard to even explain, but definitely hip hop / trap beat inspired, with a heavy synth and sample exploration in every track.

Most definitely my favourite new listen of this year.

Any track is amazing.

He doesn't have a release that doesn't blow my socks off.



4.

Zuli - X3

[2018, Haunter]

Zuli is an egyptian producer from Cairo. He makes some of the craziest hardest hitting stuff I have heard in a long time.

If Olswel blows my socks off then this guy fully blows off my entire outfit.

This particular track has textures and tones that are quite relaxing yet abrasive, his production is super interesting.. I like the variety. Other pieces tend to be quite in your face.


5.

optic core - Keygen

[2021, Optic Core/Self-Released]

Another game inspired DnB style producer. Big sounds, fast drums and loads of changes to the sounds and arrangement.

Similar but completely different you know?

Aidan Maartens:

1.

Emma Ruth Rundle - Return

[2021, Sargent House]

All about the balance between weighty keys that don’t adventure much and an amazing voice that does, rasping, despairing, incantating, whispering and then keening. Slow and sad and powerful, a song for loneliness. Please do not (I repeat, do not) play at my funeral.


2.

Legowelt - Sark Island Acid

[2011/2020, L.I.E.S]

As heard on the Test Pressing show on NTS, I think. And what’s not to like? Nice and floaty and sparkly, not really a banger, whatever the level below banger is (groover? pulsator? strider?).

3.

Waclaw Zimpel - Train Spotter

[2023, The State51 Conspiracy]

Lulled by the sounds and feel and movement of the train you’re sitting in, blankly looking out at the flashes of scenery, scrapyards, allotments, trampolines in back gardens, perpendicular roads rising to neighbourhoods you’ll never visit.

Choo choo!



4.

Lankum - Lord Abore and Mary Flynn

[2023, Rough Trade]


It was hard to pick just one track from the new Lankum album, but in the end I went for this which is absolutely lovely until you listen to the lyrics, the star crossed lovers now dead together. Bad mother! I couldn’t tell if it was the long-haired guitarist or the flesh-tunnelled concertina/pipes guy singing, but it turned out it was the fiddle player, whose voice is a bit reedy and now lives in my head along with the rest of them. Long live Lankum.


5.

Yuta Matsumara - Zookeeper’s Trial

[2022, Low Company]


No idea why this one’s so effective to me – sometimes music just hits you, man. Very simple, one cord, some slow drums, a minimal melody, and repeat for a while, and then sway to a higher chord, and then sway back again to the original. It’s all in that sway.

Like a bit of incidental music in a computer game playing as your character passes through a new and mysterious neighbourhood, looking for clues.

The sense of mystery is compounded by the song’s title:

What in hell did the zookeeper do to face a trial?

What’s going to happen to the animals if he gets time?

Branner Griswell:

1.

Ausmuteants - Tinnitus

[2013, Aarght!]

If punk is dead the Aussies didn’t get the memo. Australia is on its own kick with a fresh young wave of punk and I’m hooked.

Fist pumping political anthem this is not, but it certainly feels reactionary - post millennial bodies hijacked by 24 hour news cycles, doomscrolling headlines, fitness guru 5am mandates, instagram therapists and what have you… best tune in and flop out.

2.

Alien Nose Job - Television Sets Are Going Cheap

[2020, Drunken Sailor]

Now this one from down under is along the same vein but I dare say quite the social commentary coming out of the post pandemic sludge.

Little bit on the artier side of things but still throw down the occassional pop punk gem. Missed them playing a gig in Brighton and kicked myself …

 3.

Prison Affair - Out of Jail

[2021, Erste Theke Tontraeger]

From Barcelona no less - Itchy, scratchy, frenetic, punchy Bob Loggy lo-fi punk, coming with its own saucy underground comic videos.

Hyper caffeinated punk pods for post Christmas glue veins.

4.

Princess Demeny - New York Grief '86

[2021 Re, Séance Centre]

This is the original track that somehow made its way into my algorithm and was recently unearthed for reissue from London based label, Seance Centre Records. It was released with a recent remix (really well done) by Vini Vidi Vidi.

This just takes me back to a time when I remember NYC to be a bit rough n' tumble "Thieves, switchblade, suitcase, paralyze, lock your door..." dark dreamscape vibes infused with all the danger of trying to survive a completely different NYC back in the day.

I don't know much about her but that she apparently visited from Montreal and the city obviosly bore its way into her dreams.

 5.

Weather Report - Black Market

[1976, CBS]

So I have finally given into the fusion… this was the gateway drug. Right before the Heavy Weather album, it’s the first to feature Jaco Pastorius but he doesn’t play on this track..

Readsy:

1.

Gary Gunn - Opening Theme From A Thousand and One

[2023, Back Lot]

I was instantly drawn in from the opening scene of this superb, unapologetic film directed by A.V Rockwell. Much of that is due to this static infused, beat driven, emotive layered piece of music, created by Gary Gunn.

It’s Ethereal & Atmospheric and reminds us how the score in a film can captivate and enhance the experience!

2.

Moondog - Lament I: Birds Lament

[1969, CBS / Caribou]

It’s taken me only 26 years to discover the original track Mr Scruff sampled for Get A Move On!

Created by an eccentric Jazz/Classical composer named Moondog who occasionally dressed up as a Viking and also invented the percussion instrument called the trimba! A short and sweet unique masterpiece that takes you on a spiritual plane.

 3.

Anthony Teasdale - Tango De La Boca

[2023, Pamela]

On Pamela records, a label that always hits the spot having Andrew Weatherall set the standard on their debut outing. This track is a moody tango noir affair that flirts with Electronica and House so perfectly, from fully fledged producer Anthony Teasdale. He has been releasing his unique brand of quality deep electronic music for over 30 years now! This is another outstanding addition to his catalogue.

4.

Django Django feat. Self Esteem - Complete Me

[2023, Because]

I'm a Complete sucker for anything that sounds ravey and 90s, so this was a no brainer!

As the track progresses, it gets better and better! A hark back to Orbitalesque daze, executed in a current relevant fashion with tasty breakbeats, synth stabs and a pleasing clubwise vocal!

I was shocked when I found out who the track was made by, as they leave all the vocal work to Self Esteem, not what I would expect from Django Django, although I have always loved everything they put out, magnificently carrying on from the legacy the Beta Band created!

 5.

MJ Hibbert & The Validators - Hard To Be Hopeful (Bass, Hope & Clarity mix)

[2023, Self-Released]

Finishing off on a comedic note and a somewhat relatable sentiment perhaps. This track happened to catch me at a moment when I found myself again despairing the show of excrement, as demonstrated by these clowns running our country! It tackles the Daily doom and gloom of modern life, as a middle-ager over a squelching 8-bit backdrop with satirical humour that takes a leaf from the Monty Python song book! It’s fair to say its better to laugh at the big piece of excrement than let it get on top of you! Amusingly, when I googled - "it’s hard to be hopeful" ….it took me to the Samaritans!

At least there’s hope for discovering new sounds in 2024!

RodrigoKingLagoon:


1.

Yamäya - Senegal

[2023, Funkiwala]

Could dance to this groove for sooo long. This song is so alive, I love the way it develops towards the end;

I won't ruin it by trying to describe what happens. See them live!



2.

Monique Séka - Missounwa

[1989, Tahi's Production]

It was the end of a warm spring night in Lisbon where I spent a month last year... After watching a possibly 3 hour set by a legendary and highly energetic band from Cabo Verde this song came on. My friends had long gone because of being too tired but I had felt the need to stay in hope that they'd play the song I knew them for.

They played it last, by which time I was also completely knackered but then the DJ kept playing great songs.

I might have otherwise quickly dismissed this one as cheesy but in my sleepy, reflective, slow-dancing state, the sweet synths and voice made it a favourite for the year and one that really evokes a feeling for my trip.




3.

Congotronics International - Hand To The Knee / Tshimbala Mulumbayi

[2022, Crammed Discs]

There were about 19 musicians in this collaboration, what a nice challenge for the sound tech!




4.

Papa Wemba - Mandola

[1995/2017, Real World]

This was played, among many other absolute bangers by DJs Keshenanigans and Ivicore when a soundsystem on wheels turned up at the stone circle at the end of Glastonbury; about midday on Monday morning.

When I was meant to be going to sleep to be able to drive home....

but I just couldn't.



5.

Afoxé Loni - Oya

[2001, Weltwunder]

Heavy heavy Afro-Brazilian percussion with powerful singing and sweet instrumentation; a combo that seems difficult to find where it's also in the right condition for the dancefloor!

Across the Atlantic ocean, through the horrors, upheavals and resettling of recent history.

Ring Modulator:

1.

Desire - Silver Machine

(The Hacker Remix)

[2023, Italians Do It Better]

Take these names….Johnny Jewel, Megan Louise, Desire, Italians Do It Better and add The Hacker…perception is rewarded beyond lush.

Triangue (sic), Toms, 16 step sequence with delay and phaser, and occasional reverb Megans sultry voice and bang. A tribute to Giorgio Moroder’s The Chase theme with all the lushness of those Solina synth strings.

This is classic Ring Modulator Electro-Disco… Join me on the floor and we can feel the beats and the Pulse Width Modulation together……GET ME UP GET ME UP...like a cross between orgasm and wetting yourself.....

2.

Ghoßt Assembly - I Miss Your Love

(Original Mix)

[2023, Rüf Kutz]

What goes round comes round, so it’s still '89 in Abigail Wards pseudonym house track, probably because she is co-founder of the Manchester Digital Music Archive. Martin Moscrop (ACR) described this as Manchester meets Chicago and it doesn’t take much to work out why.

That Mr Fingers bassline hits you right there..expertly mixed by Bonar Bradbury through the same mixer that Larry Levan used to use (Bozak)…..that classic piano riff is not far out from the Happy Mondays Loose Fit and those Solina stings are so over the top Pacific 808 state…..this just pounds into the groove and with those vocals keeping it sultry without ever going pop hands in the air Inner City.

3.

Vince Clarke - Scarper

[2023, Mute]

…….what track to pick on Clarke's Solo Songs Of Silence album? It’s a cinematic drone fest of such immense beauty, add in minimal amounts of just about there to be heard sequencing…add some subtle orchestral Cello and occasional choral voice…it’s stunning because it takes you down and along and continues to lead you to places ethereal yet dark.

Without a doubt, Vince Clarke will be making film scores of magnitude in the very near future.

4.

Brian Eno - And Let it in

[2023, Universal UMC]

RSD 2023 bought us an instrumental version of Eno’s album Foreverandevernomore. Whilst I’ve always struggled with Eno’s voice and favoured his instrumentals, the original album from 2022 was a fascinating surprise. So an instrumental Re-Version (It’s not the same according to Eno) was a must.

It’s not voiceless…what do you think you’re hearing, where are you…an ascending squarewave tone….but there's a darkness and a depth that is so low it’s designed to hit you at sub 50hz and you know what that feels like!!!! But the electricity is a buzz to create ethereality…inhale…exhale…there’s hope and you smile…and just when I thought On Land was the perfect album. Eno gone Granular???

5.

Musiccargo -

Ich geh den Weg mit dir

[2023, Compost]

Two compilations this year using the phrase Neo-Kraut and Nu-Kraut, both compiled by German artists. (just incase you’re wondering)

Ich geh den Weg mit dir grabbed me in it’s simplicity I liken to a Schulzian Din A Testbild album. The simplicity of stereo-panning drone, that just drags you in on a journey… Gernhard Michel keeps inviting you on this journey and if you complete it, you will keep wanting more..

….those organ chords hauntologically make you realise you could be reversing in time all the way there…..but there's an addictive triplet synth melody which I can’t get enough of……simple motorik bliss and as we make our journey through different landscapes you can only feel disappointed when you reach your destination…because this track should go on forever.

Clas Tuuth:

1.

Nia Archives -

Off Wiv Ya Headz

[2023, HIJINXX / Island]

It's basically a remix of a remix [Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Heads Will Roll (A-Trak Remix)] and Nia Archives is so mainstream now that I would be amazed if anyone reading hasn't heard this already, so I almost didn't include it. However, in the end I decided just to be totally honest and not get distracted by that sort of overthinking and this is 100% my most listened to track of the year. It's good for running to, good for giving you a little positive morning boost and good for jumping around the kitchen cooking dinner to (see also Biig Piig's "Kerosene" and Overmono's "Blowout", or Nosaj Thing & Jacques Greene's "Too Close"... honestly my cooking playlist was where it was all happening for me in 2023).

It's an all round banger, and Nia can't really do any wrong in my mind, so obvious choice or not, here you go!

2.

Champion feat. Sammy Virji - Hot In Here

[2023, Funfair]

Recency bias might be playing a big part here, but what I can say with total confidence is that this was my December 2023 anthem.

Of course, it's very possible that after a few months pass, my reserve choice of Joy Orbison, Overmono & Kwengface's "Freedom 2" might end up standing the test of time more strongly, but as I sit here today typing this, I'm gleefully smiling to myself as I recall that bassline in my head. In fact, I'm going to go and play the track right now.

3.

Video Dave & Controller 7 - Goodbye

[2023, Fake Four Inc]

A rap song about a fear of flying from the brilliant album ArticulatedTextiles. The album is great from start to finish and it's all in a similar 3-feet-high-era-native-tongues style, but this track is a personal highlight.

It's been a while since I've picked up on a Controller 7 release too, and it motivated a welcome revisit to his Bully records days, which was another reason it stood out as a track of the year.

4.

Bel Cobain - Awakening

[2023, Dead Pigeon]

This year I discovered The Silhouettes Project in one of those moments that are now all too familiar in this streaming era of overwhelming amounts of music - how the hell have I not heard of this before!?!?!

The first Silhouettes Project album from 2020 was on constant rotation almost all year but being a couple of years old now, this track by Bel Cobain seemed more appropriate for 555. I only found out about her because of her song on the Silhouettes Project album, so while that was the indirect reason I discovered this track, which is my favourite from the Radical Forgiveness EP, I decided that this gem of a melodic 2-step style shuffler deserves a shout on it's own terms.

5.

The Beaches - Blame Brett

[2023, The Beaches]

This choice is going to seem completely out of left field for those that follow my own music I'm sure, but in all honesty, after Nia Archives I listened to this song more than anything else this year, following my introduction to the band by Catriona Irving.

One of my songs of the year and definitely my gig of the year at the Outernet in London. Will it inspire a huge return to guitar music for me? I don't know about that, but it's a truly outstanding indie-rock song and reminded me to get out of my comfort zone more, so an extra slice of appreciation for that is due!

Stephen Kin;Aesthetic:

1.

Grace Ives - Burn Bridges

[2022, True Panther / Harvest]

Burn Bridges punches with DIYdeas, a self-styled bubble of character-crafted, hyper-personal pop; playful drum machine percussive patterns, synth runs and orchestral hits.

Feels like the sort of imperfect perfection that can only emerge from exploring a wonderfully imaginative, homegrown creative world (Max Tundra springs to mind as a kindred spirit somehow, see 'Which Song'), and with Grace's sublime vox ability and swagger; two minutes is both perfect and never enough!

2.

Gnonnas Pedro et Ses Dadjes - Lê Vôdjo

[1984?, Editions Gnoinsore]

Stumbled across this 12" from Benin's Gnonnas Pedro, just has such an unusual attention grabbing groove and style - almost waltz-like in its revolving refrain, echoing mantra, the tightened upfront percussive Afrobeat-esque, brassy rhythm.

Fully heightened charge in the drum-vocal break, until the resolving melodic trance loops back in; just a brilliant, interesting production.

3.

Rozi Plain - Agreeing for Two

[2023, Memphis Industries]

Startling opener from Rozi's wonderful album, bound together by a family tree of musical cohorts; one of the embracing features being the gloriously homely production warmth nurtured by Rozi, Jamie Whitby Coles and Ash Workman (Metronomy' The English Riviera et al), delivering hug after hug of pinpoint sound.

Clean, keen close rhythm and drums, meticulous stereo-spatiality, endlessly sympathetic harmonies and beautifully akin musicianship; absolute joy.

4.

James Vincent McMorrow - Rising Water

(A.K. Paul Remix)

[2016, Believe]

Somehow it took until 2023 for this one to strike me down, like lightning.

Just unbelievable remix/production here from AK Paul, heavily imbued with that instant low-glowing essence of Paul.Bros, ratcheting down the original tempo, knife-sliced drums n' rhythm, an oh so sweetly swung groove,

Anup Kumar Paul arranges a heavenly thrown for those McMorrow honey vox layers; do remixes get much better than this?

When's the album AK?

5.

Svart Klovn - Knust Knekt

[1983/4, Uniton]

Gem of a charity shop find, this glorious '84 label sampler on Norwegian imprint, Uniton. This cut by Svart Klovn is a real highlight amongst a strong Nordic selection, here brimming with urgent energy, sharp minimal synthwave on the apparent one-time 7" solo release from Svenn Jacobsen.

Later morphing into a looser re-version in '86 (Queen Bitch by Kid D & The Nightshades), minus the fierce drum machined backbone and switched to English.

For me, this piercing original would be hard to better, an absolute belter.

 

Kubla Khan:

1.

Bendik Giske – Adjust

(Rezzett Remix)

[2018, Smalltown Supersound]

Norwegian saxophonist, Giske, gets the Rezzett treatment. My remix of the year, Proper body music –TIP!



2.

Kaval – Penrose Steps

[2023, Club Djembe]

French producer Remi Kaval with this stormer of a UKfunky/house/techno hybrid. No physical release as of yet, what are we waiting for?!


3.

DJ Black Low

feat. Black R, K​.​Dalo & Frego – Akulalwa

[2023, Awesome Tapes From Africa]

2023 was my year of S.A’s AMAPIANO. ATFA running things proper with two salient comps.



4.

Blawan feat. Monstera Black – Dismantled Into Juice

[2023, XL Recordings]

Unimpeachable SOUND DESIGN.

Burners, from start to finish.



5.

Charli XCX - Secret (shh)

[2016, Vroom Vroom]

XCX & SOPHIE with the urgent collab.

This was a PC music oriented year for me. 

Electric Ape:

1.

William Basinski -

O. My Daughter, O, My Sorrow

[2020, Temporary Residence]

Amazingly I had never heard William Basinski’s music until I was lucky enough to see him live in Brighton this year. What incredible soundscapes he creates.

And what an engaging, enthusiastic and downright funny guy he is! His music really does seem to catalogue the end of the world, ending not with a bang but a whimper.

2.

Warrington-Runcorn New Town Development Plan - Rocksavage

[2023, Castles in Space]

Mr Chapman-Fox has had a busy year spreading his synth-heavy vision of an optimistic but ultimately doomed brave new world of urban planning.

His live sets get more engaging each time having seen him twice this year. If John Carpenter did town planning this is what it would sound like.

3.

The Necks - Signal

[2023, Northern Spy]

A lovely double album on vinyl (so that’ll be 4 tracks then, naturally) of the ever engaging The Necks;

proper post-jazz improvised minimalism.

4.

Peverelist - Pulse V

[2023, Livity Sound]

Bristol’s finest doing what he does best; a modern take on Detroit techno but with a lovely bass.

Good modern dance music.

5.

These New Puritans -

Organ Eternal

[2023 Re, Infectious]

Fantastic, brave, experimental, nostalgic, wistful rock music. Loved this album when it came out a decade ago, saw them play this at the Barbican accompanied by a 35-piece orchestra. Stunning.

Taking the mantle of ‘Spirit of Eden’-era Talk Talk and running with it. Ten years later I grabbed the reissue as I never had it on lovely vinyl and an excuse to list here.

 

Damian Evans:

1.

Tirzah - No Limit

[2023, Domino]

Not the 2 Unlimited cover we've all been waiting for but a stunning slice of distorted R'n'B' produced by the great Mica Levi. Check out the album, trip9love...??? on Domino, no.2 on my albums of the year after...


2.

H. Hawkline - Denver

[2023, Heavenly]

From my album of the year "Milk For Flowers" and produced by Cate Le Bon, H. Hawkline again demonstrates his incredible ability to craft a mixture of beautiful, tender songs with upbeat pop tracks that would make Brian Wilson's ears prick up.

3.

RVG - Brain Worms

[2023, Fire]

Ear Worms would have been a more appropriate title for this memorable slab of melodic post-punk from the Australian 4-piece.


4.

The Kills - LA Hex

[2023, Domino]

The highlight of the very welcome return of The Kills this year was this slow burner building to a stunning gospel crescendo.

5.

Corinne Bailey Rae -

New York Transit Queen

[2023, Thirty Tigers / Black Rainbows]

From her superb wide-ranging album, Black Rainbows, this is 1 minute 45 seconds of full-on US new-wave inspired lo-fi with enough energy to transport you back to late 70s New York.

Alphabets Heaven:

1.

Tenderlonius - On The Nile

[2023, 22a]

This some-kind-of dedication to the spirit of late 50s / early 60s jazz is one of the most soulful albums you’ll hear this year. Most modern players are trying to break free from the shadow of yesterdays legends, instead Tenderlonius seems to revel in the darkness.

What really surprised me is that the album actually sounds like a Rudy Van Gelder recorded 1962 LP. It’s warm and delicate and intimate and all the other adjectives you want from a jazz quartet record. This is something special.

2.

Kara Jackson - Pawnshop

[2023, September]

There’s a lot of things this album reminds me of, the caustic/sentimental days of Father John Misty, Orange Frank Ocean, summery Van Morrison tracks, but it’s something pretty unique. It’s confessional, and funny, and kind of feels secretive like texting a friend at the cinema. Loved it, and looking forward to the next one.

3.

Djavan - Maria Das Mercedes

[1976, Som Livre]

I’ve been learning the drums this year so have spent a lot of time listening to The Meters, Cameo, and a lot of other music with really good drums.

This album is pretty far from 2023 but I just found out about it this year, and the drums are great. It’s just really really really groovy.

That’s it. Groovy.

Groovy.

4.

Larry June - I'll Make Time

[2022, TFM/Empire]

The Alchemist / Larry June came out this year but I ended up getting more into last years album from Larry June. I have a big turn on for albums that make me feel like I’m driving a convertible through a sunset ocean vista, and this album is 1000% convertible.

The production is 80s tinged, and the flows are smooth. It’s an album to get lost in a neighbourhood you don’t know, whilst thinking about spaceships.

5.

Rochy RD, La Mas Doll & PV Aparataje feat. La Demente, Kaly Ocho, Tivi Gunz & Dilon Baby - El Aroma

[2023, Aparataje Music]

In 2023 I started hearing a lot more Dembow moving away from the reggaeton rhythm.

El Aroma is really fun and kind of sounds like a UK Funky track which is very much in my comfort zone.

Proprio:

1.

Chancha Via Circuito & Luvi Torres - Amo

[2021, Wonderwheel]

Just over 2 geo-shaking minutes, of stark, Andean ambi-electronics, seizing swirling futurefolksong, straight out of Buenos Aires.

I discovered and explored the striking work of Chancha Via Circuito in 2023, and could have placed a few here, but this lofty Andesoundscape really struck.


2.

Arovane - Achten

[2023, Dauw]

Uwe Zahn as Arovane has released an array of his expertly, micro-focussed music this year - teased textures, underlined incidental glimpses and alien ambient atmsopherics all glance up from Achten, a moment of exquisitely engineered calm. Arovane's sound study is well suited to cassette, and as it happens, two of his 2023 releases are out for a second limited tape run on Dauw today (Jan 5th 2024).

3.

Jorja Smith - Falling or Flying

[2023, FAMM]

Super smooth, stunning soul cut from Jorja's LP of the same name, Birmingham-UK pressure with divine production/space on this one from duo DameDame, heating up proper with some Prince-via-Jai Paul vibes, kinda 80s slow RnB-boogie stylings, such a sleek platform for Jorja's considerable skills - So good, big big last 30secs kills it before the irresistible repeat!

4.

El-B & Om Unit - Far Gone

[2023, GD4YA]

Hot stepping ukg meets bassline techno flash on this tonne-swinging collaboration between Bristol's Om Unit and one of the original pioneers of the whole doomier 2-step sound, London's El-B aka Ghost.

Stand back, Far Gone gonna take you out with that propelling forward energy, only the pummeling bassline keeping this one to the ground.

5.

Clark - Entropy Polychord

[2021, Throttle / Deutsche Grammophon]

Really enjoyed Clark's Sus Dog / Cave Dog releases on his own Throttle imprint this year, and led me back to catching this expansive soundtrack, all feeling like something of an interconnected thread, here too the emotion-jolting Entropy Polychord piece features the Budapest Art Orchestra and Rakhi Singh.

A neuron-spiking, spectrum engulfing descent; poly-strung layers and cloudy chorals nose-dive into sub-sea-level synthruptions.

All bringing to mind the sort of rarefied neo-classical-electronic prowess, as wielded by the much missed Jóhann Jóhannsson.

As always with the Filtered Listening blog and 5:5:5: posts, the aim is to nurture a quiet, advert- and intrusion-free spot, where Kin-Aesthetic artists, friends and cohorts can enthusiastically share their creative, writing and music-enthusing passions -

But importantly, hopefully guide and direct attention and excitement to some amazing music and creativity happening elsewhere.

Above, we link again this year to Bandcamp streams where available and occasionally to Soundcloud, as many artists favour one or other of these, from the ground up, and labels too.

Needless to say, it can be challenging in the music realm, so if you enjoy something you discover here, purchasing the music from that artist or label is all we urge… the rest we do for love.

Thanks if you made it this far! :)

Stephen Kin;Aesthetic

Last years’ 2022 5:5:5: selections can be found over here: