#Bestof2011 - SBTRKT 'Heatwave (Live at Abbey Road)' (Young Turks)

Best album of 2011. Perfect hybrid of soul and machine. 

SBTRKT's debut album is my album of the year, displaying an aptitude for mind bending beats, gorgeous sequencer lines, a bit of dubby space and warm, soulful vocals.

SBTRKT released a series of very tasty records, culminating in his debut album that didn't even contain all the best tracks. Check 'Living Like I Do' for more greatness.

This live version of album-opener 'Heatwave' takes the mix of flavours/flavas even further with some delicious, chunky, almost Post Rock drumming courtesy of the masked man himself. This makes the sparkling, airy sequencer lines shine even more.

Somewhere between dubstep, postrock, looped-up electronica and house - great stuff.

Having had an mp3 of this tune removed a couple of times by our friends at the DMCA, you'll have to enjoy this otherwise unavailable track via Youtube.

#Bestof2011 - Creep ft Romy xx 'Days' (Young Turks)

Best xx side-project of the year! 

A tough call up against Jamie xx's 'Far Nearer' but 'Days' is an icy piece of lusty electropop. It bursts into life with some curly synth that sounds like it came from  Blakes 7 before settling into a menancing sinewave bass groove.

The song is graced by Romy Madley Croft's dulcet tones, providing a warm, intimate contrast to the otherwise austere, glassy sound.

The only thing I don't get is why the 12" cost me something like £13. Is it impregnated with some kind of 'dance drug'? Made of gold? Anyway, a fine, fine track.


YT053 - Creep - Days by Young Turks

#Bestof2011 - Bombay Bicycle Club 'Shuffle' (Island)

Had, wrongly it seems, written BBC off as useless fops. Couldn't get this tune out of my head though.

I had Bombay Bicycle Club down as Landfill Indie but I never tire of hearing this tune with its insistent, interweaving lines and a certain stiff but mellow funkiness.

They've been talking up their love for 'Remain In Light' era Talking Heads and it makes sense given the rumbling bass, insistent groove and joyous topline.

It's begging for some great remixes, I think. It's had some not-so-great ones so far that pale next to the original. Something like the bootleg mix of 'Once In A Lifetime' (will have to dig that out and post it) might make this a dancefloor killer. Pretty great as it is though.

A wonderful surprise and one of my best of 2011 selection.