1 DJ KICKS – MOODYMANN (!K7)
There was an awful lot of hype around this release, but for once it was totally justified. With the allure of the old-fashioned DJ mix compilation a whole lot lower than it used to be, it is great to see Kenny Dixon buck the trend with his first compilation as Moodymann. The main reason for this is that he doesn’t actually do too much, playing the music he loves in the order it sounds best in. And that’s the first principles of such a compilation, surely? The mix blends its different styles to really good effect, often in specially constructed edits, and then takes a small breather before a cracking second half. Because of the individual approach it feels like a DJ behind the controls and not a machine – and because that person is Kenny Dixon, the music flows just brilliantly.
2 VARIOUS ARTISTS – KERN VOL.3 MIXED BY OBJEKT (TRESOR)
An absolute treat this, a cracking mix from Objekt of 36 tracks he intends to play for years to come. The fact the exclusives and rarities are added to the package in the form of a 12” is great, but it’s the DJ mix itself that will really leave you hooked, and especially the two places in the mix where the listener is left high and dry, effectively pausing between songs on the wings of two timeless tracks, Anna Caragnano & Donato Dozzy’s ‘Love Without Sound’ and Ondo Fudd’s ‘Blue Dot’. It is daring stuff but works incredibly well, part of a most original and effective techno mix that demands to be heard.
3 LATE NIGHT TALES – DAVID HOLMES (LATE NIGHT TALES)
David Holmes is a long-overdue addition to the Late Night Tales hall of fame, and it is no surprise to report one of the best compilations in the series so far. Holmes has always had an ear for the out of hours material, and gems like BP Fallon & Holmes’ ‘Henry McCullough’ raise some old school hands to the sky, complemented nicely by the subtle orchestration of acts like Eat Lights Become Lights. With a bundle of desirable exclusives, this particular late night tale needs to be spread far and wide.
4 SPACE IBIZA 2016 (CR2)
One of 2016’s most-mourned deaths was not that of a single person, but an institution. Space closed its doors this year, but Cr2 gave it a great send-off in the form of this triple mix. Stepping up to the decks were – inevitably – Carl Cox, Pig & Dan and Mark Brown, showing that even at the end the club’s grasp of the here and now was always incredibly strong. Compilations like this will make sure Space is gone but definitely not forgotten!
5 #SAVEFABRIC (FABRIC)
Speaking of clubs going to the wall, Fabric had a torrid time this year – but appears to have been ultimately saved by the power of the people and a bit of shrewd negotiating. DJs and producers united in their condemnation of Islington council’s original decision to close the club, and one of the results of their solidarity was this compilation of 111 tracks, each donated to the cause. As a result this is a document rooted in time but packed with exclusives from _Unsubscribe_ to Vex’d by way of varied artists like Radioactive Man, Simian Mobile Disco, Om Unit and Kate Simko. A mandatory purchase.
6 VARIOUS ARTISTS – KINDISCH STORIES, PRESENTED BY BEDOUIN – KINDISCH
There is never a hurry when Kindisch are involved. That is immediatelSelect Filesy clear in this thoroughly absorbing compilation, commissioned for listening rather than the dance floor. The hallmark here is a steady bass drum and a loping bass, with tracks that are more like meditations, especially when the amazing LUM comes to the fore. The compilation comes in unmixed form or with a mix from Bedouin themselves, and is highly recommended for kicking back to.
7 VARIOUS ARTISTS – MEOW WOLF’S HOUSE OF ETERNAL RETURN: SOUNDSCAPES VOL. 2 (MESA RECORDINGS)
A weird compilation, this – but one that exerted a hold over the listener. The House of Eternal Return collection could be relied upon to take the sting out of any stressful situation, a set of subtly inventive sound constructions that sound lovely on headphones. The slow, ethereal shifting of Mi’s keyboards make a lasting impression, while in some of the more obviously improvised tracks there is a nice, meandering guitar line or a bright stream of consciousness. A collection of aural delights.
8 PSYCH OUT COMPILED BY DJ FORMAT (BBE
DJ Format is one of the most inventive compilers around, and this raucous collection brings blaring horns, funky bass lines and big beats to the table of original cover versions. This is a great compilation of surprises and novelties to put on as a poser to your mates, but also to wig out to with complete abandon – because DJ Format is not one to go on novelty alone. The track selection consistently hits the bullseye on music that is too busy having a good time to notice who is listening. Format wishes he could play these tracks at clubs every weekend, but now you can too if you’re so inclined!
9 AUS 100 (AUS)
A round of applause for Will Saul’s Aus Music, bringing up the 100 with real style on this triple album celebration. Youandewan, Marquis Hawkes, Deetron and Pearson Sound are among the contributors, but the continuous mix from Saul himself is the one to go for, only heightening the anticipation for another ten years and another 100 releases!
10 COSMIC MACHINE: THE SEQUEL (BECAUSE MUSIC)
The first ‘Cosmic Machine’ was a brilliant construction, and while the second is a bit more subtle it is still a joyous and open exploration of the 1970s. Uncle O’s wide ranging selection takes in the funky (Queen Samantha), the strutting disco of (Arpadys) or laid back funk (Francis Lai). It is to be hoped Because could turn this into a whole series, as the space trip and history lesson rolled into one is as enjoyable as it sounds!
