Night Tracks Of The Year - Numbers 30-21...

So, no doubt you've clocked numbers 50-41, and then 40-31, and you've probably guessed what comes next. That's right, it's numbers 30-21 (cue fireworks)...

30. Dub Phizix & Skeptical feat. Strategy - Marka (from Marka (Exit))

Occasionally a tune comes out that unites EVERYBODY in a scene, and this is one of those tunes. Overnight it appeared on facebook walls, blogs and forums. This is fast Skeng, and anything Skeng-like is worthy of an end of year list. Sick video too. (Buy here)

29. EPLP - Hurt (from Too Much Hope EP (Self Released))

There's not many people who get vocals down as well as Bristol's EPLP, and quite frankly, there's nobody better than him at getting just the right amount of bleeps and bloops. This track is a perfect demonstration of both those skills, not to mention those synths. Quality. (Buy here)

28. Jason Burns - Die 4 U (from See Thru U EP (Brap Dem! Recordings))

Skippy, chopped up and pitched down vocals, stabs and synths, bouncy bass. This might be labelled future garage, but it's as good as anything that came out 1998-2001. (Buy here)

 26. DjRum - Mountains Pt. 1 (from Mountains EP (2nd Drop))

One thing I really like about DJ Rum (or DjRum as he went by for this release) is that his work occupiesa strange space between garage, dubstep and dub techno. I couldn't tell you what this is, so sorry genre heads. But I can tell you one thing for sure, this is an absolute roller that keeps going and going and going, but not for a second do you want to stop listening. (Buy here)

25. Jichael Mackson - Gedons (from Bob's Your Uncle EP (Stock5))

Clocking in at almost 15 minutes, you probably won't find a longer track in this years list, although it's debatable whether you could really call this one track at all (skip to 2:30 and listen, then skip to 11:00 and listen. Still think it's the same track?). It is though, most certifiably, a techno/house epic, and on the strength of those dream-like pads up to 4 minutes in, it finds itself marking the halfway point of this year's top 50. (Buy here, I guess)

24. Synkro & Indigo - Guidance (from Guidance (Exit))

Synkro is one of the, if not THE, most versatile producers in underground music today, but he's no jack of all trades. He seems to be able to master anything he turns his hand to, and when he's making stuff with Indigo, it gets even better. Although his releases later in the year were on a more techno edge, it's this straight up beautiful piece from earlier in the year that takes number 24. (Buy here)

23. The Weeknd - What You Need (from House Of Balloons (Self Released))

I guess in a way, The Weeknd is a lot like The xx. I can't think of anybody else that has been able to convey such a mood as effectively since the 2010 Mercury Prize winners. Every track on the album House Of Balloons was aimed without fail at the night, and 'What You Need' was the stand out track that was delivered perfectly. (Buy here)

22. Essáy - Distance & Lights (from Distance & Lights (Cut))

Essáy just understands how to put across vibe. This Bloc Party sampling piece of ambient-ish dub techno represents his sound perfectly, and the production on it is perfect. A track with raw edges always sounds better than over-produced slickness. One of those tracks that shows that holding back can be more powerful than including every sound under the sun. (Buy here)

21. Ghostek - Night & Low Light (from Lost Tapes EP(Square Harmony))

I've got to admit. I was getting worried about Ghostek. I was beginning to think his many productions that flitter in and out of soundcloud might never see a release, but this year, there was an abundance, the first being his Lost Tapes EP. "Night & Low Light" had been around for some time, but I was still excited to hear this in full. Simply put, Ghostek has dominion over all drums, and they bend to his will. It's got to be the only explanation of how he creates those loops. (Buy here)

Night Tracks Of The Year - Numbers 50-41...

It's that time of year when every site gives its take on the best tracks to be released this year, and of course, Night Tracks is jumping right on that bandwagon. To avoid any bias, I haven't included anything released by Night Tracks, so read on, and check out the tunes. Maybe you'll pick up a gem that you haven't heard before, or maybe you'll just enjoy reading my rambling take on 50 tracks. Read on for the first 10, numbers 50 to 41...

50. Everlone - Starred (from 2011 (Self Released))

This track was one that I discovered some months ago, but only discovered it had been released about a week or so ago. A great track, minimal garage, with traditional distant vocals coming in amongst lush pads. A simple track, yet very effective.(Buy here)

49. Trashbat - Saraswati (Hard Mix) (from Old Manor Way EP (Dubstrict Records)

Trashbat doing what Trashbat does best, and that is ultra-dark, warping mid-range over seriously deep subs. This was on one of the most underrated releases of the year, his Old Manor Way EP, that contained 5 tracks that made it seriously hard for me to pick the best. (Buy here)

48. Kid Smpl - Gbye (from Collapse EP (Self Release))

This track almost typifies Kid Smpl's style. Immersive pads, and drums that almost sneak up on you. The slower than usual 2-step drums that come into play are a particular highlight and everything comes together in a track that has elements from the past, but is definitely forging a vision of the future. (Buy here)

47. Sweetheart Of Kairi - Approaching Farewell (from Sweetheart Of Kairi EP (Self Released))

Two of the most dynamic producers in the underground today, Owsey and Sorrow, came together in a series of collaborations for their Sweetheart Of Kairi moniker. Combining cinematic strings and pads with top notch swinging drums, they've come together to create something that doesn't sit comfortably anywhere, and it's all the better for it. (Buy here)

46. LV & Josh Idehen - Murkish Delights (From Routes (Keysound Recordings))

Everyone knew that an LV album was going to be good, just not THIS good. This track is one of the darker affairs on the album, Routes, located near the end, bringing you down after the many highs of the album. Makes for a perfect outro though, and Josh Idehen's delivery only adds to it. (Buy here)

45. Krytikal - Selfish Way (from Area Music Vol. 1 (Area Recordings))

For me, this was the standout track from a seriously impressive release by the Birmingham based Area Recordings. Nobody gets the eyes down, tribal dubstep thing as well as Krytikal does, and this track is no different. (Buy here)

44. Dorisburg - Transform (from Tundra/Transform (Aniara Recordings))

Perfectly straddling the line between UK Garage and Techno, this track from Sweden's Alexander Berg completely blew the A-side 'Tundra' out of the water. Whilst this hasn't taken off yet, I can see this being the sort of track collectors franticly dig for in years to come, only to find it available exclusively on discogs for £40. (Buy here)

43. Silent Mind - Farwater (from Farwater (Self Released))

 

Dreamy, minimal dnb as it should be done. Silent Mind is on to something here, and its great to see him amongst a group of producers that are doing something different in a scene that some say is saturated with sound-a-likes. (Buy here)

42. Benton - Skeptics (from Skeptics/Thermo Stellar (Black Box))

Black Box might've been pushing records since 2009, but 2011 was the year they really made their mark, thanks in part to badmen like Benton, who took things darker than ever before. (Buy here)

41. The Weeknd - The Morning (from House Of Balloons (Self Released))

Abel Tesfaye was a veritable force in 2011. Some love him for shaking up a boring RnB scene with innovative production from Illangelo, and lyrics that at least attempted to differentiate themselves from the standard. This track just oozed soul, and that's something that's always going to go down well. All for free too. Big up. (Buy here)

So that's all for now, the first ten tracks. Take some time to listen to them all, who knows, maybe even buy some of the ones you like? Check back soon for 40 to 31...