Pinch
Underwater Dancehall [Tectonic]
30hz (Lot49): “The best thing in dubstep this year. Think Basic Channel meets Massive Attack with a hint of Horsepower Productions. Two CDs – one intrumental, one vocal – mean everyone's a winner.”
Dean Muhsin (Codex): “I'm a little biased here as I know Pinch, but this album is a superb example of future dub. I personally opt for the instrumentals but the whole package is a sterling example what can be done with a bit of feeling and passion. It's the seamless mix of vibes that makes this album stand out above others in the genre, for me anyway.”
Christian Prommer
Drumlesson Vol 1 [Sonar Kollektiv]
Thugfucker: “A really great album on the always superb Sonar Kollektiv. It's jazz covers of classic dance tunes from the last 10 to 15 years. There have been tonnes of other great releases in 2007, but this is a proper album that you can listen to from start to finish. Put it on in the background as you serve up hors d'oeuvres and cocktails, or light a spliff and listen with it turned up to 11. Works either way.”
Quince
En-Vi-Sion [Delsin]
Ben Sims: “Debut LP from a very promising young Dutch artist on this great label – definitely someone to watch over the next few years. Classy, well-executed electronica and techno with more than a hint of Detroit's golden years.”
Radiohead
In Rainbows [XL]
Elite Force (Used & Abused/Lot49): “By and large it's still the established artists that make the best albums, coming as they do from a time when albums were the real apotheosis of a recording career, and this new offering from Radiohead is the best thing they've done in years since losing the plot with the yawnsome indietronica of the past few albums. Yes, I did pay for it, and yes, it was worth it.”
Also nominated by James Zabiela
Rancho Relaxo Allstars
The Answer Is Always Yes [Abe Duque Records]
Mark Broadbent (We Love): “Wicked acid cowboy concept album from Abe Duque and friends, perfect for getting rid of talking heads on coke or chilling by the campfire. Spooky and eerie at times, funny and fluffy at others. Best bit of chill out since the KLF.”
James Ruskin
The Dash [Tresor]
Ben Sims: “Further proof of why Mr Ruskin is one of the UK's finest techno artists. A mature album of forward-thinking electronics with a healthy mix of machine funk and deeper cuts that's as happy playing in the car as the club.”
Henrik Schwarz
Live [!K7]
Kraak & Smaak: “Wonderfully put together mix copllection that only he could come up with. Eclecticiscm has never sounded that natural before.”
Shape Of Broad Minds
Craft Of The Lost Art [Lex]
James Mowbray (Four:Twenty): “I've not tired of this deep, jazzy hip hop project from Jneiro Jarel. Also check the Beat Journey album under his Dr Who Dat? alias.”
Bob Sinclar
Live At The Playboy Mansion [Defected]
The Jinks: “Ultimate collection of Disco and House classics, beautifully mixed. A worthy follow up to Dimitri From Paris's legendary mix in the same series.”
Slam
Human Response [Soma]
Silicone Soul (Darkroom Dubs): “The guys deliver a beautifully crafted techno album – the perfect antidote to this summer’s minimal overkill.”
Smackos
Computer Day [Strange Life Records]
iamelectron (Mighty Robot Recordings): “My favourite CD from a whole bunch released on Strange Life this year. Danny Wolfers aka Legowelt soundtracks the journey of a bearded recluse as he buys a computer from Radio Shack, takes it home to his misty mountain retreat, sets it up, then ponders on his lost love. Genius. If Wolfers isn't doing music for major motion pictures in two years time I'll eat my knees.”
Soul Of Man
Relicked [Finger Lickin' Records]
Believe: “It’s been 10 years in the making, and its been worth it. Jem and Justin have turned in what can be only described as the ultimate Finger Lickin' album – not really surprising really when they started and still own the label. This record is a sublime introduction to the label and a perfect for folks like me who just can’t get enough of that Finger Lickin’ sound. Without Soul Of Man, you just simply would be missing one of the greatest chapters in dance music history. So I raise my glass to another 10 years from the finest duo and label around. Let’s hope they will be just a fun packed and messy as the last 10.”
Stars Of The Lid
And Their Refinement Of The Decline [Kranky]
Black Dog (Soma): “A beautiful album used to blank out the real world, airports and other people.”
STL
Night Grooves [Something/Hardwax]
Prosumer (Panorama Bar): “Even though you know the record and the crowd, you are still taken by surprise every time you play tracks like Something Is Raw in the club – everyone goes mental. A very unique album with a great variety.”
Studio
West Coast [Information]
Deportivo Street Team: “This Swedish Duo seem to have literally knitted a jumper that has Prog rocks sleeves, an electronica front and a post punk back all stitched together with lovely Balearic thread.”
Talking Heads
The Collection [EMI]
30hz (Lot49): “Brian Eno on production, David Byrne on the mic, It’s the post-funk Ghostface and RZA. Burning down the house is one of my all-time ghetto jams. THUG!”
Serj Tankian
Elect The Dead [WEA]
Pan-Pot: “Best metal album of 2007.”
Terre Thaemlitz presents...
You? Again? [Mule Electronic]
Prosumer (Panorama Bar): “To label this album, you have to invent the term ‘experimental deep house’. Sticking to the roots of house, sampling some old Rhythm Beat classics and taking it to a totaly new level is what makes Thaemlitz so great.”
Thugfucker
Full Length [Thugfucker]
Thugfucker: “OK, this is our album. And it's not even out till 2008. But we've been working our asses off on it for so much of this year and now it's finally finished, we've just got these constant post-coital smiles on our faces. Seriously, finishing this has been like a giant multiple orgasm after three months of prolonged and mildly tortuous foreplay. The fact that we still keep listening to it happily means a lot. We're like proud parents. Of an orgasm. Hmm. OK, not sure how to save this metaphor, but we think you get the idea…”
Gregor Tresher
A Thousand Nights [Great Stuff]
Gregor Tresher: “My debut album was released this year, so I have to include it here as well, I guess.”
Underworld
Oblivion with Bells [Underworldlive.com/Vital]
System 7: “A magnificent update of Underworld’s dark mysterious but super-uplifting sound, which many regard as their most innovative, most rewarding work to date.”
Also nominated by James Zabiela
UNKLE
War Stories [Surrender All]
Gavin Herlihy (Leftroom/Kindisch/Moodmusic): “There are a myriad of record company reasons why UNKLE's third album never quite hit the mark it should have. Released on an indie it was never going to reach the same audience as their debut album. But that doesn't mean it’s any less important. Taking a rockier, approach than their previous two, War Stories has all the same epic threads of songwriting completed by a cast of collaborators put together as only James Lavelle can. This year's most underrated album by far.”
Steve Lawler: “In my opinion, this is one of the best albums to come from a dance artist and especially from a DJ. It’s full of feeling, crosses the line with attitude, and borders the gap between breaks and indie rock. It’s a must have for any rock or dance music lover. James Lavelle has without a doubt produced, in my humble opinion, the best electrnonica album of 2007.”
Various
This Way Up [Passenger]
Nominated by Aquasky
Ricardo Villalobos
Fabric36 [Fabric]
Audiofly: “The king of space techno shows everyone how it's done with a compilation that goes beyond every expectation. Fabric at the forefront once again.”
Also nominated by Dan Ghenacia
Imatran Voima
Welfare State of Mind [Mighty Robot Recordings]
iamelectron (Mighty Robot Recordings): “Shameless self promotion, but this really is one of my favourite LPs of 2007. Completely original party bass with devastating sounds and weird subject matter. Stuff like this could only come from Finland. A breath of fresh air for electro.”
Joris Voorn
From A Deep Place [Green]
Nominated by Nic Fanciulli
Andy Weatherall
Sci-Fi Lo-Fi [Soma]
Silicone Soul (Darkroom Dubs): “The legend (and personal hero) walks alone with this off-the-wall, 50's rockabilly selection. A favourite from the summer.”
iamelectron (Mighty Robot Recordings): “AW's been threatening the nation with this for a good few years, and during a hazy post club chat we almost considered releasing it on MRR. A lovingly chosen selection of rockabilly, garage trash and rock n roll from a man with impeccable taste (and dress sense). This compilation made me fall in love with The Cramps all over again.”
Kanye West
Graduation [Mercury]
DJ Yoda: “As far as I'm concerned, he's one of the only good rappers left. I didn't feel this album was his best, but Kanye's less amazing work is still better than 99% of other hip hop out there.”
The Whitest Boy Alive
Dreams [Bubbles/Modular]
Deportivo Street Team: “Tighter than tight, euro pop that is so icey and meticulous it becomes warm like hug on a cold day.”
Chris Zippel
Geniune Horizon
D:Fuse (Lost Angeles Recordings): “The production on this electronic album is top notch. The use of old movie samples calls back to the 80s and early 90s yet brings it to a modern framework. Eerie percussive elements and riffs soon meld into a thing of beauty and every track tells a story.”
