Night Tracks Of The Year - Top Ten

So here it is, you've read 50-41, 40-31, 30-21 and 20-11, and now we've finally reached the top ten. The ten tracks I feel were the best ten released this year that really fitted the Night Tracks vibe. I'm not trying to be a tastemaker or anything, just merely showing you my favourite tunes, maybe some you didn't know. Drop me a comment below and let us know YOUR favourite Night Track of the year. Anyway, we start off with...

10. Burial, Four Tet & Thom Yorke - Ego (from Ego/Mirror (Text))

This release appeared out of nowhere, announced and sold out all whilst I was on lunch, and it's easy to see why. 3 giants from separate areas, Burial from Garage/Dubstep, Four Tet from a more electronica/IDM scene and Thom Yorke from one of the biggest bands of the last 20 years. This was the stronger side of the two, as I feel it represented all 3 of the artists more completely than the flip. (Buy here unfortunately)

9. Joy O - Jels (from Wade In/Jels (Hotflush Recordings))

Joy O returned to Hotflush, the home of his immense debut, with this 4x4 monster, that showed even the club has room for Night Tracks. Whilst there has been a lot of "Acid House" released this year, this was one of the stand out examples of that sort of sound, but the thing that clinched 9th place for Jels was THAT PIANO that really should've made an appearance well before the last minute of the track. (Buy here)

8. Drake - Marvin's Room (from Take Care (Young Money))

I know, I know, a music blog proclaims Marvin's Room to be one of the best tracks of the year. Hear me out though, check the atmosphere on this track. Noah "40" Shebib has killed it, and in an almost Weeknd-ish way, hearing the lyrics sung by Drake makes the story more believable. Chart music has had a seriously weak year, but if there's more like this from the bigger artists like Drake, then maybe there's a light at the end of the tunnel. (Buy here)

7. Clouds - Rest Of The Cycle (from Lots Of Calls From No One Pt. 2 (Deep Medi))

In a year that has seen the likes of Pinch, Skream, Goth Trad and Vivek release on Deep Medi, who would've thought that it would be the understated and much underrated release by Finland's clouds that would be the label's best in 2011? This eerie number, with the flickery, ghost like drums was to me more powerful than any of the rib-shaking, earth-quaking releases that Deep Medi put out, and that is high praise, as tracks like Swish and The Big Bang are not to be sniffed at. This release is just another marker of Mala's impeccable tastes. (Buy here)

6. Cairo & Svpreme Fiend - Untitled (from Other Heights White Label #2 (Other Heights))

It was another great year for one of my favourite labels, and a label that definitely deserves more credit and exposure overall, Other Heights. This was my favourite release put out by them this year. This stripped back, garage-y roller had perfect piano melodies over the top and ghostly vocals that make it a perfect Night Track, and I'd definitely suggest getting your hands on this release before it's too late, and definitely, definitely keep an eye out for Other Heights next releases! (Buy here)

5. Be-1ne - Cane Cutter (from Cane Cutter/Soar (Area Recordings))

Simply put, the best "pure" dubstep release of the year. Area Recordings always had consistent quality coming out, but this year saw Be-1ne's crowning moment so far. After those ghostly chimes keep you on edge for the first 50 seconds or so, the track gives way to one of the best drops in dubstep history. I'm struggling to find the right words about the drums on that drop, so I won't even bother, just believe me, they're good. Something that really impresses me with Be-1ne's releases, and most primarily with this release, is the way he engineers the bass so that you don't just hear it, but it seems to fill your whole room, seeping into every corner. Buy this, and watch it become one of your most played pieces. (Buy here)

4. Zomby & Reark - Natalia's Song (from Natalia's Song (4AD))

EDIT: Read this. (Buy here)

3. Bonecold - Rekca (from Somnipath (Broken Bubble))

This track first reared its head (as far as I'm aware) on a mix by Ghostek a few years ago, and I instantly tried to find out anything about Bonecold that I could, but there was little out there. You can imagine my joy when I sit down at work one monday morning, and check out some of the new releases. I spy an email from the label, Broken Bubble, announcing an album by, yep, you guessed it, Bonecold, and there, right at the end of the tracklist was Rekca. This tune is ambient without being ambient, with bass warps, and jangly hats and snares in all the right places. Just listen to it, you won't regret it. (Buy here)

2. Burial - Stolen Dog (from Street Halo EP (Hyperdub))

This release marked a massive departure by the ever elusive Burial from the styles that defined his album Untrue and the earlier releases on Hyperdub, and the stand out track was definitely Stolen Dog. Burial had never made anything like this before, dropping the tempo from around 140 to the 110-130 area, and working with synth melodies, which came as a bit of shock, but still retained that Burial vibe, with the mournful vocals, except they worked over shuffling, house-y drums rather than the pounding, garage-y rhythm everyone expected. Whilst most people seemed to prefer, Street Halo or NYC, it was definitely Stolen Dog's uniqueness that pipped it for me. (Buy here)

1. Sully - 2 Hearts (from Carrier (Keysound Recordings))

2011 really did belong to Blackdown's Keysound Recordings, and getting Sully on board for an entire album has got to be one of the best moves they could've made. The criminally underrated producer is responsible for Night Tracks' Track of the Year, 2 Hearts. This track burst straight out of opener (and no. 14 on this list) It's Your Love with all the swing and attitude that his previous release on Keysound and Toffee Apple had hinted at and brought everybody that listened to it back to 2001 briefly. If you read our interview with Sully back in November, you'll know that this was (at least at one point) considered by Burial for his never-to-come-out mix compilation for DJ Kicks, and that is saying something, especially as there was a collaboration between the two planned off the back of it. 2-Step drums, bouncy bassline, neon synths and a female vocal, is there a better combination? Not this year there wasn't. (Buy here)

Review the list in full:
50-41 - 40-31 - 30-21 - 20-11

Night Tracks Of The Year - Numbers 40-31....

Today is the second part of our countdown of the best tracks of the year, so if you missed the first part, I command you to read it here now! Continue reading below for tracks 40-31 and pick up the pieces you like...

40. Answer Code Request - Escape Myself (from Subway Into (Answer Code Request))

Some might call it techno, but to me, this has a raw, garage-y feel to it that sets it apart from many of the standard 4x4 techno tunes this year. Quite a menacing tune that held its own on one of the most impressive releases to land on my radar in 2011. (Buy here)

39. Volor Flex - Gloom (from Tramp (Dark Clover Records))

Ok, so it was a clear mash-up of Burial's 'Pirates' and 'Wounder' but it doesn't stop it being amazingly good. Volor Flex has perfectly replicated that urban sound that Burial did so perfectly on his debut LP, and that's certainly something Night Tracks can get down to. (Buy here)

38. Session View - Orange (from Royal Road (Enypnion))

Session View's release, Royal Road, proved to me that there was more than enough life left in Techno as long as there were stand outs like this. That bassline and those drums could've been crafted by Basic Channel and nobody would've known any better. One of those tracks where everything fits perfectly. (Buy here)

37. Burial, Four Tet & Thom Yorke - Mirror (from Ego/Mirror (Text))

When this dropped when I was at lunch at work and sold out within minutes, I spent the rest of the day searching for a record shop that had it in stock. How could this not be good? Four Tet dropping them on Rinse that night just confirmed what many already thought. (Err... buy here?)

36. Commodo & Lurka - Airtight (from Airtight/Gassin (Black Box))

Another show of Black Box's strength, this release from two of the "newer" producers was one of the high points, standing out amongst the bigger names on the label, although those in the know knew this collaboration couldn't go wrong. (Buy here)

35. Andy Mac - Everytime (from Everytime/Asteroid Belt (Punch Drunk))

Apparently a bit of anthem in the Bristol area for those lucky enough to hear it, but the rest of us had to wait for a full release to be surprised by the sort of track that really would conquer the mainstream if only Radio 1 played it. (Buy here)

34.  Radiohead - Lotus Flower (Jacques Greene Remix) (from The King Of Limbs Remixes (Ticker Tape))

Jacques Greene's remix of Lotus Flower might not have been released when the hype around this series was at its fullest, but it was certainly the strongest. Whilst others focussed on more experimental edges, Greene managed to make something so danceable. Those who held their attention during the epic build up were definitely rewarded. (Buy here)

33. Massive Attack & Burial - Four Walls (from Four Walls/Paradise Circus (Inhale Gold))

Fans had wanted this since they first heard snippets dropped by Kode 9, recorded on mobile phones, years ago. This had been "forthcoming" for some years, and many had given up. Forget the controversy about prices, forget the controversy about possible sound issues. In fact, if you haven't got much patience, forget about the first 9 minutes of this track, because even if it only consisted of those last 2 minutes, it would still be on this list. (If you're very rich, buy here)

32. Compa - Dreams (from Dreams/Them Dogs (Inna Riddim))

Compa is definitely part of a group of "up-and-comers" that are producing their own take on the halfstep variety of dubstep. Posting a youtube link of 'Dreams' doesn't really do the track justice, so I can't recommend that you buy a high quality download and turn on your sub to enjoy it. Then pray that one day Compa gives you his dubplate of his Anti-War Dub refix. (Buy here)

31. Fedbymachines - Last Stop (from First Light EP (Warminal))

Probably the most frantic drums on any release all year, that really keep you on edge, and in this case, that's a good thing. They really are the focal point, but that's only because the grainy pads and ghostly vocals lurk so deep in the ether and that's just where they're meant to be. This is music to be out on the streets to. (Buy here)

Keep your eye's peeled for 30-21, and again, if you missed the first part, 50-41, check it out here.

Night Tracks Classics - Burial & Four Tet - Moth/Wolf Cub

In celebration of my second copy arriving (I have a copy of the original press, but I bagged a copy of the repress for DJ purposes), I thought I'd take the time to talk a little about one of my all time favourite releases. You may have heard about their second collaboration, in no small part due to the involvement of Radiohead front man Thom Yorke, but their first link up was the mysterious Moth/Wolf Cub, packaged only in a plain black sleeve with no information on.

Burial and Four Tet already had some common ground outside the world of music, both attending the now (sort of) famous Elliott School in London. Probably. As with all things Burial, nobody can be really sure of anything. What else was special about this collab was that they were already two massively respected producers in their own right, with more than their fair share of mainstream coverage.

Anyway, onto the tunes. Check out the A-side, 'Moth'.

Burial & Four Tet - Moth

This was the track that took the underground music world by storm. There was (and still is) a lot of speculation about this tune with regards to the input of its creator. Was this tune just Burial? Was it just Four Tet? Some suggested that 'Moth' was Burial's take on Four Tet, and that 'Wolf Cub' was Four Tet's take on Burial, but to my knowledge, it's never been confirmed. Perhaps in hindsight, now that Burial has shown his versatility with tempo with his 'Street Halo' release, it is obvious that there are elements of both producers in 'Moth'. Although Four Tet is impossible to pin down to a certain style, the synth that runs through this track has got to be his. Check out his tune 'Plastic People' from his album 'There Is Love In You' to see how he can make the same loop repeating over and over both interesting and hypnotising.

Now check out the B-side, 'Wolf Cub'...

Burial & Four Tet - Wolf Cub

For me, this is a lot easier to distinguish who put what in this one together (barring the situation above, where this is Burial's take on Four Tet). That mish-mash of looping, frantic woodblocks rolls as the main attraction over almost archetypal Burial drums, until around the five minute mark when the pads that have been threatening to emerge finally do. It's a shame almost that 'Wolf Cub' came attached to 'Moth', because I think it's massively overlooked, which I suppose is testament to 'Moth's greatness. Anyway, a much underrated track.

So there you have it, a release that I like so much, I had to buy two copies because I was so scared of messing one of them up. If that doesn't convince you to at least try and get your hands on one of the represses (Four Tet has said there will be more) then I don't know what will.

Night Tracks 010 - Night Grooves 001

Thought it had been quite a while since I put together a mix after Ollie Macfarlane's top notch guest mix so I got on making a mix that I thought highlighted more of the danceable night tracks. Check it out.

Night Tracks 010 - Night Grooves 001 by Garethom on Mixcloud

First we start off with Birmingham producer Krytikal and his track I Need. This is a sleek track, has a real Roots Of Dubstep feel to it (if you don't know that CD, it's definitely worth checking out), and as such I can't really pin this as garage or dubstep, but what I am sure of is that it's impressively well produced. This is followed by Majic's refix of Brandy - The Boy Is Mine, where he gives the original a funky shuffling twist. Next up we have the absolute stormer by Hackman, Close. I've already wrote about this track, and no matter how many times I hear it, I'm never quite ready for that drop. Following Close, we have a track from Night Tracks favourite Ollie Macfarlane, with his remix of Jacques Greene's Baby (I Don't Know What You Want) where he takes the thumping house of the original and twists it into a more garagey, snipped-up version that can definitely hold its own compared to the original. Next up was the unexpected release that was Burial, Four Tet & Thom Yorke - Ego. Every artists work is evident in this future classic. Following this is Wax with Untitled from No. 10001, with jarring chords gradually coming in over the techy groove. Next in the mix is Jacques Greene's impressive take on acid house, Sorted which moves straight into Satoshi Fumi & Steve Mill with their collaboration Night Purring (Dub Mix) with some lush pads underlining the thudding kicks. Ollie Macfarlane returns with another remix, this time of Burial's Stolen Dog adding his familiar house/trance influences to form it in his own vision. Finally, we have the classic long-runner Phylyps Trak II/II by the minmal techno gods, Basic Channel.

Hope you enjoy it!