MUSIC .

Top 10 Dance

Gair Marking picks the year's best dance/electronic albums.


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Published: Dec 18, 2007

1. Radioclit

Hard Working Class Vol. 1

(Self-Released Mix Tape)

This U.K.-based production duo has really staked its ground as top boys in the club game. This is a compilation of some of their singles, remixes and unreleased tracks. Innovative and yet totally accessible.

2. Ghislain Poirier

Bounce Le Remix Vol. 2

(

Bizness Ghis)

Now, this jawn is straight bumpin'. The Juelz remix on here was my shit for the longest time, and I'm still feelin' it hard. Again, a compilation of remixes and mash-ups, from Montreal's bad boy. He just dropped an album on Ninja Tune, so look for him to blow up in '08.

3. Wiley

Playtime is Over

(Big Dada)

The godfather of grime returns with another dose of minimal riddims and introspection. A lot of the material on this record is culled from Wiley's Tunnel Vision mix-tape series, along with some new tracks. "Gangsterz" holds the test of time and is one of the sickest tracks on here.

4. Starkey

Street Bass Anthems Vol. 2

(Seclusiasis Mix Tape)

This one is worth the price of admission for my pal Starkey's remix of DG Yola's "Ain't Gon Let Up" alone. Not to mention that there's 19 other bangers to dig into, including Tactic's take on MIA's "Boyz" and a few contributions from some guy called Dev79, too.

5. Boys Noize

Oi Oi Oi

(Last Gang)

This shit is really noisy and crunchy and yet still melodic and groovy. Definitely in the vein of the big electro sound that everyone's rocking with these days, but he's carved out a nice niche for himself, dropping a well-rounded and very listenable album.

6. Burial

Untrue

(Hyperdub)

Burial's sound is definitely not on the club end of the spectrum. Untrue is deep, heady, moody, tribal influenced dub from one of the dubstep scene's top-notch producers. I recommend smoking some trees and sitting back for this.

7. DJ Godfather

For the Freaks

(Databass/Serato)

This DJ Mix features an awesome 66 tracks at just over an a hour. Godfather blazes through a heap of ghettotech and booty tracks, including new exclusives as well as classics. If you wanna check some hot technical skills, take a listen.

8. South Rakkas Crew

Mix Up

(Mad Decent)

This just recently dropped on Diplo's label, and shit is mad infectious. It's got hybrid appeal with elements of dancehall and electro-pop meshing seamlessly. "Carry Feelings" featuring TOK is the standout track for me.

9. Para One

Music to and from "Naissance Des Pieuvres"

(Institubes)

The acclaimed French electro producer comes with a different flavor this time out. The music here is a beatless film soundtrack that is strikingly emotional. Besides being an interesting display of depth from Para One, this album is just a damn powerful listen.

10. DJ Murkz

R U Ready Vol. 5

(Self-released)

Bassline House (aka Niche) is the next dance sound coming out of Northern England, and Murkz is an up-and-coming producer/DJ who's been dropping mixes and tunes at a rapid pace. This is chock-full of cutup R&B vocals, wild bass lines and thumpin' beats.

(gair79@citypaper.net)