Top 100 Tracks Of 2019: 75-51

Continuation of the list started yesterday: from 100-76, which also includes my disclaimer/preamble. Soundcloud playlist here and Spotify here.

#75: Flume ft. Vera Blue - Rushing Back (MJ Cole Remix)
While Flume had a huge year as countless clamored for his mixtape, you won't find any of those tracks here. Instead he appears in this list twice having released a few sick singles that made way for fantastic remixes. Here MJ Cole kills the catchy "Rushing Back" with a brilliant bleepy flip that makes masterful use of Vera Blue's vocals. A spine-tingling sensation.

#74: Jai Paul - He
The enigmatic master returned in 2019 and he seemingly hasn't missed a step with two sublime singles. And of course I gravitated towards the b-side, as "He" seemingly delivers more of that genius "Jasmine" vibe. It's soulful and ridiculously satisfying. And of course it showers its listeners in ethereal ecstasy.

#73: Barney Lister - Matchu
Not the only track in this list I first came across in a Magic Tape mix. Of course it's got the awesome alchemy one would expect for an inclusion in said series. It's beautiful, buoyant and oh so easy to dance to. That said, the slippery, squelching groove that emerges as the track progresses is some kind of sick, satisfying perversion.

#72: Angelov - Chero
An alien awakening, this is some serious top notch techno and one hell of a debut record. The whole EP is sick and I really thought about adding "Retrida" to the list but the vocal feel of this one took the cake. Like the others on this EP, Angelov's abilities shine the strongest when all elements come together in supremely satisfying syncopated fashion.

#71: Stanton Warriors ft. Sian Evans - Up2U (René LaVice Rooftop Remix)
Like so much of my favourite DnB this year, this one absolutely explodes out of the gate. It's got so much to like. The piano. Sian Evans' vocals. The way the two play together: <chef's kiss>. Then of course there's the drops that play like a defibrillator forcing you onto the dance-floor. A roaring success.

#70: Kölsch & Sasha - The Lights
The kind of epic, clean quality you would expect from a legendary pairing like this. Once you've heard that unreal lead line you'll never hear the track the same again, as you wait breathlessly for it to kick in. I know I'm doing that right now as I listen to it yet again. And as good as that lead line is, it's nothing without the duo's deliciously effective backing.

Top 100 Tracks Of 2019: 100-76

Starting today through Friday (with a break on New Years Day), I'll be revealing my list of the "Top 100 Tracks Of 2019." The following is my disclaimer, as I feel it important to preface this kind of list with some insight into its creation and the methodology behind it. While I spent a lot of time seriously pouring through this year of music, this is not a really a serious endeavour. No one was polled. Sales and streams are irrelevant. This is merely my fun way of sharing the tracks and artists that made my year better, in hopes they do the same for you. The rankings are not scientific or even fair, rather they are simply a reflection of how strongly I felt these tracks and how much praise I felt they deserved.

You'll notice the thread of disco/funk continues from last year, as once again it dominated my consumption. But once again you'll notice I touch on a variety of genres, while sticking to the brand of this blog, which is indeed a reflection of my personal preferences and ideals. There's a lot of pop music, but the list is largely electronic and dance dominant.

Finally, I will once again say that this is by no means an exhaustive list; there are without a doubt exceptional tunes that somehow failed to make the cut. However, onward and, in this case, downward, from tracks 100 to 76 we go. Find the Soundcloud playlist here and Spotify here.

#100: Robotaki - Quasar
As so often seems to be the case I'm called most strongly to the b-side of a release. Here "Quasar" captures my attention with a truly dizzying display of musical craftsmanship. Robotaki rifles off a resplendent mix of electronic and organic instruments that reminds me of both the extraordinary quality of early future bass and the indie rock energy of Erol Alkan, specifically his "Forever Dolphin Love" remix.

#99: High Contrast - Going Up
The first in a long line of DnB tracks in this year's countdown. The consistent quality of High Contrast is on full display here with this crisp, crackling cut. It's both exceedingly beautiful and seemingly simplistic, while somehow still feeling fresh and exciting after a plenitude of plays.

#98: DROELOE - Only Be Me (Duskus Remix)
Immediately heavy on the heart, this one is actually brilliantly buoyant. The swinging nature of the drop is sure to leave you swooning while the whole thing oozes poppy positivity. While a few years ago I would've said bitbird is one of my favourite labels, I can no longer say that. However this mix seems to have found the perfect balance between their sappy saccharine ethos and sharp, catchy synths.

#97: Nelly - Air Force Ones (Klutch Remix)
While I don't often get into tracks primarily for a single sound, this remix and its rattling bass is so banging that I cannot help myself. The drops are stupid dope and the rest of the track is built with enough ear catching punctuations that it deserves recognition in a list like this. It would be a banger with the first drop alone, but a progressive second drop and its sensational use of Nelly make it a can't miss.

#96: Sub Focus - Solar System
With a name like "Solar System" you'd expect some serious magnitude and Sub Focus did not disappoint. This one hurdles along at light-speed and if you go along with it, you're apt to burn up like a supernova. A lot of electronic music has an outer-space, futuristic feel and this is most definitely one of this year's best, most banging examples.

My Mixtape featuring Oggie James Vol. 5

DOWNLOAD MY MIXTAPE FEATURING OGGIE JAMES VOL. 5

Tracklist

1. The Kount - Yesterday's Gain
2. Sparkee - The Kids (ft. LIINKS)
3. Charlotte Gainsbourg - Sylvia Says (A-Trak Remix)
4. Cher - Gimme Gimme Gimme (A Male Stripper After Midnight) [Barry Harris Club Mix]
5. A-Trak - Voulez-Vous
6. Billy Ocean - Caribbean Queen (Speedboats & Big Explosions Scotch-Powered Remix)
7. BT Express - Does It Feel Good (LeBaron James Vocal Edit)
8. Nick Bike & King Most - Take It Easy
9. Lorde - Green Light (Chromeo Remix)
10. Delegation - You And I (LeBaron James Vocal Edit)
11. DJ Cassidy - Future Is Mine (Glastrophobie Remix)
12. Cashmere Cat - Kiss Kiss (Pat Lok Allerg-Edit)
13. The Players Association - Turn The Music Up (Hi Cheu Edit)
14. Pat Lok ft. Kye Sones - Hollywood (Crackazat Remix)
15. Fat Larry's Band - Act Like You Know (LeBaron James Edit)
16. The Immortals - The Ultimate Warlord (SanFranDisko DJ Friendly Edit)
17. Vincent Caira - Stay The Night
18. Chromeo - Play The Fool

Bump In The Hump: December 25 (Best Of 2019)

Tracklist

• LeBaron James - Party Starter
• Stream
• Barry Harris & TGID - Sweet M-Position
• Free Download
• The Galleria - Stop & Go
• Stream
• Polaris - Kessel Run
• Stream
• Stanton Warriors - Up2U (Rene LaVice Rooftop Remix)
• Stream
• Bensley - Muskoka
• Stream
• Jake Robertz - Form
• Stream
• Elephant Heart - Lenguas (Kotek Remix)
• Stream
• thook - INTERIOR
• Stream
• Lingopolus - Zoopid
• Stream
• FLIX - Bodybag
• Free Download
• TNGHT - First Body
• Stream
• Spok - Motherless Child
• Free Download
• Apashe - Distance (ft. Geoffroy)
• Stream
• Ryan Hemsworth - Machine Manners
• Stream
• WE ARE FURY - Heart Of Mine (ft. Kobra Paige)
• Stream
• Slooze - Odyssey
• Free Download
• Rezz & Yultron - Hell On Earth
• Stream
• Kanye West - Good Morning (Cloverdale & Troy Power Rework)
• Free Download
• Kanye West - Use This Gospel (PINEO & LOEB ft. Prayer Handz Remix)
• Free Download
• Tennyson - Melonpan
• Free Download
• Robotaki - Quasar
• Stream
• Sleepy Tom - All On You
• Stream
• Jacques Greene & Cadence Weapon - Night Service
• Stream
• HERO - Stay The Night
• Stream
• Daphni - Sizzling (ft. Paradise)
• Stream
• Kiesza - You're The Best
• Stream
• Bobby Caldwell - What U Won't Do 4 Luv (Nick Bike's 'Hate It Or Love It' Blend)
• Free Download
• Foreigner - I Wanna Know What Love Is (BLOND:ISH Jungle Sunrise Rework)
• Stream

Enlightened Listening for December 13

The year is wrapping up and compilations and remix packages continue to abound. And while so many best of lists keep cropping up, good music keeps dropping and here it is in this week's Enlightened Listening. Things start with mau5trap's 9th edition of We Are Friends followed by two top notch techno EPs from two more top labels in Phantasy and Afterlife. We're then treated to eight new Hot Chip remixes which join the four previously released gems. Justin Jay then joins the fray with a quirky and killer EP worthy of Dirtybird before DJ Zinc and Chris Lorenzo get back together for a couple new joints. Things then turn to remixes as legends Four Tet and SOPHIE take on Skrillex and SONIKKU respectively. Finally the mysterious DnB entity Dawn Wall unleashes propulsive four-pack, Birdmask.


Various Artists - We Are Friends, Vol. 9

James Welsh - Sitting/Rubber Dog

KAS:ST - Hold Me To The Light

Hot Chip - A Bath Full Of Ecstasy (Remixes)

Justin Jay - Don't Trip Like This

DJ Zinc & Chris Lorenzo - Deeper

Skrillex & Boys Noize ft. Ty Dolla $ign - Midnight Hour (Four Tet Remix)

SONIKKU ft. LIZ - Sweat (SOPHIE Remix)

Dawn Wall - Birdmask

Public Enemy - Rebel Without A Pause (Rhythm Scholar Maximum Rage Remix)

Believe it or not Soundcloud's The Upload feature has once again outdone itself, delivering a couple really cool tracks (amidst a mountain of mixes I couldn't possible begin to summit). Appearing right near the bottom was a lengthy title emanating from an account called Hip-Hop Remixes. Accounts like this instantly sound warning bells as they all so often end up being repost networks and/or spam profiles. However the track's title was enough to get me to press play, and within seconds I was sold.
Largely a mashup of Public Enemy and Rage Against The Machine, "Rebel Without A Pause" is actually a megamix of sorts combining the likes of James Brown, Billy Joel, Herbie Hancock and more. Now of course this is a breathtakingly cool combination and legitimate banger, but the really cool find behind this whole thing is the Rhythm Scholar, who seemingly gives all of his countless mashups/remixes away for free. He's got a killer catalog of creations of this ilk, re-imagining classics like Warren G and Nate Dogg's "Regulate," Chic's "Good Times," Tears For Fears "Head Over Heels," and even more recent stuff like "Uptown Funk." While not all of these are going to be for everybody, there's at least a handful of really fun stuff to get your hands on, and free at that. I've linked all the Rhythm Scholar's socials and website below, so check them out and enjoy your digging!

FOLLOW RHYTHM SCHOLAR: FACEBOOK SOUNDCLOUD TWITTER WEBSITE

Bump In The Hump: December 11 (Season 9, Episode 10)

Tracklist

• Brock Edwards & RYME - They Know (ft. Poupon)
• Stream
• Diana Boss - L.I.T
• Stream
• LUNR - Broke
• Stream
• Botnek - Funk Accelerator
• Stream
• Jeremy Stott - Haze
• Stream
• Rhett - Ridgeline
• Stream
• Spooloops - We Have Come Here
• Stream
• Sole Vale - Relentless
• Stream
• Apashe - Distance (ft. Geoffroy)
• Stream
• Stereo Mars - Acid People
• Stream
• Living~Stone - Rapids
• Stream
• Jonah K - Medicine Ball
• Stream
• TRENCH FOOT - Like Wata
• Free Download
• Dr. Ozi - Youth In Asia VIP
• Stream
• Synapps - Sorcerer
• Stream
• Haywyre - With You (The Funk Hunters & Kotek Remix)
• Stream
• Zoi (CA) - Outsiders
• Stream
• ATTLAS - Sinner Complicated
• Stream
• Rhyot - Admonition
• Stream
• ASHE - Blind Tiger
• Stream
• Caribou - You And I
• Stream
• OTHERLiiNE - Hates Me (Jacques Greene Remix)
• Stream
• Clinton Houlker - XTC On Tap (Miho Remix)
• Stream

Bump In The Hump Sneak Peek: Apashe - Distance (ft. Geoffroy)

After last year's incredible Requiem EP put him on many people's radar, Apashe has had another excellent year and is gearing up for the release of his forthcoming album, Renaissance, set to drop in early 2020. Last week we got our first taste of the new album, and boy it did not disappoint.

"Distance" featuring Geoffroy, once again sees Apashe at the meeting place of baleful bass and untainted orchestral beauty. It is a powerful combination, the kind that leads you stunned even if you expect this kind of killer quality from Apashe. And this is indeed real, as there are no string samples used but rather a live orchestra. Get down with with this godly creation live from 7-9 PM EST on Radio Humber tonight with an all new Bump In The Hump and get the track via Kannibalen now here.FOLLOW APASHE: FACEBOOK SOUNDCLOUD TWITTER

Cam'ron - Big Deal

Killa Cam is gearing up for both the release of Purple Haze 2, 15 years after its namesake, and a busy 2020 in which he'll be touring said followup album. In recent weeks his name has been popping up everywhere, first appearing to me via the shocking announcement that he's set to play the intimate confines of Velvet Underground February 28th (see here). In the last few days he's released a trio of tracks, each from the forthcoming album which is set to drop next Friday, December 20th.

Below, the latest and my favourite of the new cuts, "Big Deal" brings some sensational production from The Heatmakerz atop which Cam captivates with his typically strong storytelling and wicked wordplay. While I'll readily admit I've always been slow to rap and hip hop in my life, I'll never grow tired of Cam'ron's presence and his ability to be both powerful and playful at the same time. Listen below, check out his Youtube for each of the three new tracks and follow his socials at the bottom.

FOLLOW CAM'RON: FACEBOOK SOUNDCLOUD TWITTER

Robin M - Hangdrum

Half of rising London-based duo CLiQ, Robin M released a two track EP to Ground Up Records Friday. Piquing my interest thanks to its title, the lead track does indeed feature the "Hangdrum." An undeniably beautiful instrument, Robin uses its soothing resonance brilliantly combining it with other tribal-like drums and a cool deep club sound. "Hangdrum" transforms any listening environment into a hazy forest, making masterful use of the steam/fog-machine sound effect. A captivating and immersive cut, Robin M has built the perfect blend of emotive natural feels and club qualities. Get the EP now here.
FOLLOW ROBIN M: FACEBOOK SOUNDCLOUD TWITTER

Enlightened Listening for December 6

It's the end of the year and everyone's busy so I'm gonna keep the write-up to a minimum for this edition of Enlightened Listening. We open with the first single from ATTLAS' forthcoming album, before turning to two epic compilations from EMERCIVE and fabric respectively. They're followed by two of my favourite artists in Jessie Ware atop Franky Wah and another new Caribou cut. Next up Purple Disco Machine tries his hand at taking on Dua Lipa's fantastic "Don't Start Now." Staying funky, Friend Within hits Toolroom for "Space Jam" and GotSome sends us some Chicago grooves with "The Message." Finally we close with an ingenious take on Joris Voorn's "Messiah." Enjoy and have a great weekend!

ATTLAS - Sinner Complicated

Various Artists - Converge, Vol. 3

Various Artists - 20 Years Of fabric

Franky Wah - Time After Time (ft. Jessie Ware)

Caribou - You And I

Dua Lipa - Don't Start Now (Purple Disco Machine Remix)

Friend Within - Space Jam

GotSome - The Message (ft. Chuck Roberts)

Joris Voorn ft. HÆLOS - Messiah (Dark Science Piano Mix)

Throwback Thursday: HAIM - Falling (Duke Dumont Remix)

With the retrospective that comes with this final month of the decade, I figured today's Throwback Thursday post would be a perfect time to shine a light on one of the most important pieces in my musical evolution.

The year was 2013 and I found myself reaching into genres that I either hadn't heard before or hadn't enjoyed much in recent years. And of course there is always an impetus to such exploration, a singular inspiration. In this case it was Duke Dumont's blissful take on HAIM's "Falling." Introduced to me as a track he'd been closing his sets with at the time, I was immediately hooked on his cherubic chord selections and ever growing atmosphere. It's pure sonic pleasure with just the right amount of dance desire. His work around HAIM's vocals, especially Danielle's breathy delivery, is simply sensational. It was quirky and captivating to me, someone who had never heard HAIM before - however this was all about to change.

Later in that year HAIM performed on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, once again captivating me with their energy, enthusiasm and all around artistry (Este's incredible bass face included). All that winter I gorged myself on other live performances, eventually playing their Days Are Gone on repeat as I rode lawnmowers and weed-whacked my way through my landscaping job the following summer.

As readers of this blog will know, HAIM have since become one of my all-time favourite bands and for that I can thank Duke Dumont. It is this kind of inspiration I aim incite with this blog and my various radio shows, as you never know where your tastes will turn or what connections will be made.FOLLOW DUKE DUMONT: FACEBOOK SOUNDCLOUD TWITTER
FOLLOW HAIM: FACEBOOK SOUNDCLOUD TWITTER

Bump In The Hump: December 4 (Season 9, Episode 9)

Tracklist

• Saint Laurent - Cold Land
• Free Download
• Alfa State & Mystic District - Let Go (ft. Meghan Tascano)
• Stream
• Jonathan Rosa ft. Kyla Millette - Daylight (Budakid Remix)
• Stream
• Weston & Teston - Black & White
• Stream
• Smalltown DJs & Torro Torro - House Shake (STRIPES 'A Little More Acid' Edit)
• Free Download
• Neon Steve - NRG (ft. Sweetie Irie)
• Stream
• Dubfire - Grindhouse (Jerome Robins 'Toronto To Tel Aviv' Remix)
• Free Download
• Kanye West - Good Morning (Cloverdale & Troy Power Remix)
• Free Download
• Anres - No Shade (ft. John Jager)
• Free Download
• Average Gypsy - Hippy Flip
• Stream
• Haus Of Panda - Bass Bitch
• Stream
• FERA - DEPRIVATION
• Free Download
• Stylust - ACTIVATED
• Free Download
• Maha Quest - Good To Me (ft. Maha & Doro)
• Free Download
• Zeds Dead & Urbandawn - Sound Of The Underground
• Stream
• Fourward & The Arcturians - Alien
• Stream
• Rezz & Yultron - Hell On Earth
• Stream
• Deadmau5 - FALL
• Stream
• Holy Fuck - Free Gloss (ft. Nicholas Allbrook)
• Stream
• The Accountant - Seeking Freedom From Ego
• Free Download
• Nathan Micay - Feed The Planetary Sharks
• Stream
• Sean Roman & Anzola - December 21st
• Stream
• Brock Edwards & RYME - Give You Feelings
• Free Download
• David Penn - Losing You (Hatiras & Andy Reid Remix)
• Stream

Bump In The Hump Sneak Peek: Fourward & The Arcturians - Alien

Drum and bass is a hit or miss genre for me, however it seems that this year has been far more hit than miss with several DnB tracks likely to appear in my forthcoming top 100 countdown. One of the best sources for quality DnB is of course the legendary UKF, who just released UKF10 what they call "a celebration of our past, our present and our future." While the past and present are strongly represented by Camo & Krooked, Mat Zo, Kove and others, the future can be found in Fourward and The Arcturians "Alien." Featuring the familiar vocals of the Kelowna outfit, the track drops its eerie atmosphere around the minute mark and proceeds to blastoff in a brilliant light-speed blitz. Catch it as part of a trio of DnB tracks on tonight's all new episode of Bump In The Hump live from 7-9 PM EST.FOLLOW FOURWARD: FACEBOOK SOUNDCLOUD TWITTER
FOLLOW THE ARCTURIANS: FACEBOOK SOUNDCLOUD TWITTER

Joey Dosik - Lakers Town (ft. Michael McBolton)

Yesterday while scrolling through Twitter a tweet from Joey Dosik caught my eye, simply saying
MichaelMcBolton.com. And here I'll confess I've been on a major Michael McDonald tilt lately, primarily as a result of watching Thelma & Louise which made use of "No Lookin' Back." But back to today where Dosik once again showed up in my Twitter feed revealing a new song and video  "Lakers Town" featuring the aforementioned Michael McBolton (also the name of new basketball podcast).

If only a cheeky promo for the podcast, "Lakers Town" is frivolous fun. If its hilarious use of the Animoji and Michael McBolton vocals don't make you laugh then its lyrics about Kawhi, the Clippers and Celtics will certainly leave you chuckling - and I'm no Lakers fan. As you can expect from Dosik, it's musically clean, ridiculously catchy and of course features some smooth sax. Bring a little levity to your day by checking out the video, and if basketball is your thing lookout for the podcast at MichaelMcBolton.com

FOLLOW JOEY DOSIK: FACEBOOK SOUNDCLOUD TWITTER

Psychemagik - Triumph Of The Gods (ft. Renate Staal Nygård)

Friday saw the release of Psychemagik's sophomore album I Feel How This Night Should Look. A smooth blend of electronic and organic instrumentation, it's got a lot to like, but for me there's no better track than "Triumph Of The Gods" featuring sublime vocals from Renate Staal Nygård. Like an opus, it's got a sensational storyline to it, opening with the piano playing out of an atmospheric darkness before being brought to bristling life by the bass and drums. Then enter the strings and suddenly the whole world is in bloom. Flowers stand tall and proud reaching towards the angelic and nurturing power of Nygård's voice. Everything seems to be in its right place having found heavenly harmony in the light of Pyschemagik and their endless and extraordinary instrumentation. I'm truly stunned at the majesty of this track and instead of going on and on about each exceptional element, I'll simply sum it all up by saying that the big pieces provide the power, but it's the little things that bring the true brilliance to "Triumph Of The Gods." Everything is in its right place and that includes it being in my ears. Enjoy!FOLLOW PSYCHEMAGIK: FACEBOOK SOUNDCLOUD TWITTER