So this is hilarious, looking back on this blog to check what the last entry was, guess what? It was my 2022 rundown, then before that 2021’s effort. Very poor effort, especially given the number of times I’ve said to myself “I am definitely going to put more effort into the blog this year!”.
Anyway, maybe as some kind of minor redemptive effort, here goes 2023’s review…and maybe 2024 will see something a bit more regular. Either that or I’ll see you same time next year.
It was a very different and exciting year in many ways on the music front. The radio thing went up a few notches with joining the Voices night time crew. More of a lurker on the WhatsApp than contributor, but glad to be part in a small way of such a vibrant community of likeminded heads. Passionate and reaching in what they do.
Loose.fm continued to be a monthly fixture, the guys there making the break for financial stability and a new studio to continue their journey too. More news to come on that in 2024 hopefully. For my show I tried a few different things and was lucky enough to have the company of Stuart from Emotional Rescue, Kevin from Isle of Jura and Mark Seven as well as Ornella from Sounds Familiar for some musical chit chat. They are all people whose musical output I have really admired so being able to grab some of their time and get to know them a bit was really special. All were great interviewees and very much forgave my lack of experience but I think the end results stand up.
Finally Vinyl Night Radio was the weekly fixture on Tuesday nights. It’s a bit closer to home and the community behind it of music lovers continues to be warm and genuine. Two years in now and only a handful of missed shows means over 100 episodes now. Crazy.
Big plans afoot for 2024 there too, more live and more joined up efforts to expand and reach the station’s potential. Now on 24/7 and with new DJs joining plus live events in the wild – there’s plenty of irons getting hot.
The other big musical thing was my joining up with Test Pressing. As something I have avidly read over the years, to be asked to be a part of it was pretty incredible really. Paul has been so welcoming and supportive and trusting which is just a really empowering feeling. To have that encouragement from someone you really respect has certainly fired me to put myself out there and just get stuck in with the radio and gigs.
“Always push”
Evolving the format is what it’s all about so below is my end of year post match analysis and run down of the highlights of 2023.
Radio of the Year
As usual it was hard to look beyond NTS for groundbreaking radio. From the now sadly departed Zakia on Thursday/Fridays, Macca on Saturdays and then the likes of Ross Allen, John Gomez and Ruf Dug, plus Apiento (of course). It’s hard to identify another station with the breadth and adventurism of NTS. Let’s hope the changes in ownership don’t impact its approach.
Closer to home. Loose marched onwards and upwards, it’s Friday all day shows unmissable. Of course I am biased but Mark and the team keep pushing new and exciting music from a huge range of DJs, some of the TP crew included – Joe, Tom amongst others.
Internet radio is a wild and diverse place. Not all survive, Rainy City gave me a brief home and I am grateful for the hook up there while it lasted.
Voices and of course VNR are now fixtures too. And the variety of folks and tastes involved keeps those groups vibrant and welcoming.
Radio DJ of the Year – Zakia Sewell
Nights of the year
Age and something resembling responsibility means the big night outs are a bit more sparse these days but I managed a few here and there.
Luke Una at one of the many SK1 street parties and the Aficionado 25th birthday both highlights. No surprise that man like Jason Boardman was involved in both. Along with making an appearance at the Hacienda revival at the Warehouse Project. The man was almost Zelig like in his ubiquity. And that is a serious compliment.
On a more low key note, the Levy Downlow parties at the Talleyrand were considerably smaller in scale but with no less passion and dedication to that forgotten element of going out. Fun.
Going out DJ of the year – Jason Boardman
Night(s) of the Year – SK1 street parties
Gigs of the Year
Did ok on this front this year. Despite saying I’d do one a month, which didn’t really happen but wasn’t far off. More for 2024 required though. There really is nothing like it.
Ezra Collective were passionate and intense. Yazmin Lacey was laid back and engaging. Alfa Mist just an incredible musician with plenty more to come. Say She She showed why they went on to become something like media darlings. Sakamoto ‘live’ and Angelique Kidjo at the MIF again demonstrating that the festival can provide something new and unseen. Finally Eddie Chacon, to call him a renaissance man is to do disservice. Classic soul voice with a forward thinking approach to song writing and production in collaboration with John Carroll Kirby. What more is there to want?
Gig of the Year – Eddie Chacon at Yes
Releases of the year
Doing reviews for TP opened up a whole extra chunk of the musical universe. Being fortunate enough to be sent music as well as seeking it out is an amazing privilege. Still can’t beat the buzz of discovering that artist or record for the first time though.
So much great music has come out this year, new or reissued picking individual tracks or albums is very difficult. So I’ve basically cheated and done a mix of the 50 or so tunes I came back to this year.
Anyway it is a year end rundown so after much deliberation and with no justification these are my picks.
Artist – Cleo Sol
From the double drop of instant classic albums to the Albert Hall and Sault live shows. The hype is not even worth discussing. The talent and pure soul is real. Just a joy to be able to watch an artist grow.
Compilation – Skyrager presents Traces of Illusion
Ridiculous year for compilations really, Nado 25, Paul Hillery’s output was unbelievable. Folk Funk 2 a highlight. Plus more Future Bounce. Happy Land, more from Sound Metaphors uncovering Goa’s dance legacy. Transmission 3 just incredible dub foundational music. Sounds Familiar up to number 2 of 3 and no sign of stopping. Plus of course Orpheu’s Love International set. It was very difficult to pick one.
Single
Still buy vinyl. Have to really kind of a muscle memory that isn’t going to go away. However being in the bandcamp means just more to access. Quantity doesn’t always mean quality. There’s a limit to how many edits of 17 Days you can want. But it’s instant and exciting mostly. But still not a record. Again, a very lazy observation that it was a good year but there were some excellent stand alone pure dancing records as well as songs. I can’t really look past Payfone though for single of the year. But very honourable mentions go to the artists below. Al Wooton and Jack J along with Mark Seven bringing the Vibes.
Single of the Year – Payfone feat Kyd Nereida “I Feel You”
Album
Jazz still big in 2023 and soul. And electronic music. And acoustic stuff. Plus numerous sub-genres I am either too old or just have too few hours in the day to get across. Doesn’t mean you can’t try though right? Out of comfort zone music is a New Year’s resolution and the Haq Haq Kingdom album is a good place to start. However as mentioned Cleo has to take the prize.
Albums of the Year – Cleo Sol “Heaven/Gold”
Label
Tricky one this as the concept of labels continues to evolve and mutate. Do they still develop artists? Just promote? When so many labels are basically the artists themselves the whole world is far more complex than when an act was signed and they were off. That said there is still that cachet and mark of quality with certain labels. When you see a release by them. You just know. Plenty to choose from who fit this definition. Mr Bongo, Before I Die (Jason again!), Leng, Isle of Jura, Emotional, ESP, Death is not the End, M.A.D., Mood Hut…
This is where my pick sits squarely and rightly so. Optimo have just continued to release music you can’t imagine having a better home. Dance music in its loosest sense. Leftfield acoustic stuff. Obscure compilations. All with a sure eye for design and feel that is only theirs. Plus a social conscience with the tapes for Glasgow food bank charities. Just a superb operation.
Label of the Year – Optimo Music
Honourable mention – Mr Bongo
Shops
It never dies. I’m no digger in the sense of the Shadows and Votels of this world. I’d probably end up divorced. Kids and wife. That said they do indulge me and holidays this year did lend themselves to a little foreign rooting. Amsterdam is just as amazing as ever, Rush Hour of course but also the delights of ?? Amongst others. Lisbon too one for a return visit. But the first trip to 586 in Gateshead was such a lovely experience. Unassuming building but great boozer round the corner wonderful owner. The full package.
Shop of the Year – 586 Records
Summing up
It’s been a lot of fun, got around UK and abroad, getting this radio lark under heavy manners, started writing and played a fair bit. Saw and heard a lot of great music by artists on the up and already hitting the heights. And most of all have been very lucky to have met some amazing individuals.
Exciting times with a lot to look forward to in 2024.
See you in a year, cheers!
p
Mix Tracks
| 1 | Yu Su – Counterclockwise |
| 2 | Finis Africae – Pulso de la Madera |
| 3 | Wally B – Where Were We |
| 4 | Sewell & The Gong – Words |
| 5 | Huw Marc Bennett – Pinc Sunset |
| 6 | Grand Union – Morning Brings The Light |
| 7 | Daniel Sofer – Dewdrops |
| 8 | Greg Foat – Sis No Hyp |
| 9 | Mike Reed – Your Soul |
| 10 | Gal Costa – Pontos De Luz |
| 11 | Parbleu – Si Tu Veux Ou Pas |
| 12 | Ms Ray – Broken Heart Still Beats |
| 13 | Ari Lashell – Deny feat. Stefan Ringer |
| 14 | Cleo Sol – Gold |
| 15 | Say She She – Forget Me Nots |
| 16 | Dessus – Ghetto Children |
| 17 | Robert Minnott – Give me your lovin (Dub) |
| 18 | Cruisic – Pacific 707 |
| 19 | Sipho Gumede – City of Gold |
| 20 | Prins Emanuel – Parnassos |
| 21 | Dan Lissvick -Heads |
| 22 | Asha Puthli – Space Talk (Dimitri From Paris Remix) |
| 23 | Ruf Dug – Thru The Night |
| 24 | Freak Heat Waves – How Do We Come Alive |
| 25 | Secret Circuit – Holding Pattern |
| 26 | Malcolm Mclaren – Call a wave (Orbital Mix) |
| 27 | Discotecas – Always Forever |
| 28 | Isis – In Essence |
| 29 | 29 French Audacity Feat. Valerie – The Final One |
| 30 | Payfone – I Feel You (mudd Remix) |
| 31 | Peaking Lights – Suitcase (Massimiliamo Pagliara Vocal Remix) |
| 32 | LNS – Pizzica Tarantata |
| 33 | Escape From New York – Save our love |
| 34 | Pejzaz – Po Godzinach |
| 35 | Lexx – Gentle Rain |
| 36 | Cosmo Vitelli & Die Wilde Jagd – Elixir |
| 37 | Coral D -Shock Front |
| 38 | DJ Nivea – Somos People (Caliente Mix) |
| 39 | Harri Pierson – Bananas |
| 40 | Mark Seven – Sunsplash Vibes |
| 41 | Jo Sims – Bass The Final Frontier (David Holmes Remix) |
| 42 | Cabaret Voltaire – Soul Vine |
| 43 | Akasha System – Heat Distortion |
| 44 | K Lone – With U (Feat. Eliza Rose) |
| 45 | Chez de Milo – Geiser |
| 46 | Alexander Nut – Cherish The Day (Alex Nut Remix) |
| 47 | M Calderoni – Heavens |
| 48 | Alex from Tokyo – Wa Galaxy |
| 49 | Waq Waq Kingdom – Shogyo Mujo |
| 50 | Bianca Oblivion – Bad Gyal |
| 51 | Latrec – Kutika |
| 52 | Al Wooton – Vitus |
| 53 | MAD Edits – Cool Girls |
| 54 | Juan Ramos – Untitled Mix #1 |
| 55 | Glont.Mak – Apaya (Lipelis 12” Remix) |
| 56 | Viper Patrol Flow Motion |
| 57 | Clark Sisters – Ha Ya (Mr K Edit) |
| 58 | Nev Cottee – Ring (Stringapella mix) |
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