Hi Everyone,
Seeing as the best of 1999 has been and gone and all that's going to be released
from now on is basically the usual Christmas cash-in bull, I just thought I'd
share my favourites of '99 with you.
I stress that this is just my opinion and I'm only sending it as the list has
been 'sparse' of late. If you want to discuss or post your own then I'd be interested
to see them. I've actually thought about this for the past few years, but never
got around to writing them up.
The categories are:
ALBUMS [Top5] - COMPILATIONS [Top, um, 1] - TRACKS [Top10]
Here goes then:
ALBUMS:
#5 HYBRID - Wide Angle
I've only had this for a little over a week now, and it certainly doesn't seem
to be grabbing me like it does other list members. It's cool though and I'm
glad I have it. Like BT [first album was good, second and third were stunning],
I'm sure albums 2 and 3 will show us what Hybrid are really capable of. We [ie
me] want more in the "Theme From Wide Angle" style.
Please?
PS - Lyrics in French, not big or clever. Sexy? Non. Papa. Nicole. "Arse".
#4 - The HERBALISER - Very Mercenary
I'm not really sure how to describe this album, the least well-known of those
on my list. On the Ninja-Tune label, home of DJ Shadow and Coldcut, that might
give an idea of what to expect. A Slow [and fast], lazy, sleazy, scratch-driven,
funky journey with a fair few samples and the odd slice from the horn-section.
Vocals by Blade, Dream Warriors and Roots Manuva, amongst others.
Bought the album at one of their gigs. One of '99s nice discoveries. They've
a few tracks available for (legal) free download on the internet [www.cductive.com
amongst others].
However, I'd recommend getting the CD on your stereo, crack open a can, relax,
and enjoy some top tunes that none of the majors have ruined.
#3 - JAMIROQUAI - Synkronized
An unusual choice many of you might think, and 12 months ago I'd have thought
the same. This is one of those "blame the girlie" selections. She's always been
a big Jam fan, so I promised to take her to the gig they were doing in Glasgow,
June 17. Synkronized was released June 14th. So, for 4 days solid, there was
nowt but Synkronized played over and over in our flat in order to let us recognise
the tunes and hopefully learn some of the words. And having been forced to listen
to it over and over, I'm converted. It is a really good CD. Plenty of top funky
tunes, a good times album. It's what you need sometimes, a bit of uplifting.
The concert was even better though. Absolutely stunning, the crowd was so up
for it and the band delivered, and then some more. It would have been the #1
event of the year, had we not got engaged 20 minutes afterwards, still on a
high...
One thing that constantly annoys me about Jamiroquai is their label. Sony Soho
Square. Where would our friends Sunscreem be if they'd had the same support
from S2 as Jam gets?
#2 - LEFTFIELD - Rhythm & Stealth.
1999 finally gave me that album that I'd been so desperatly waiting for since
I innocently picked up Leftism in 1995 because "I remember Open Up, it rocked".
>From that moment on I've watched the music press and read with disappoint the
news of delay after delay. I never lost faith that they'd deliver a killer follow-up
though. Then in September, it finally graced us. Rhythm & Stealth.
After repeated listening, and as much as I don't want to, I'm going to have
to side with the majority and say "Not as good as Leftism". However, that doesn't
mean it's not a stunning album, because it is. Sheer class. So different from
Leftism, you'd never think it was them on first hearing. I certainly didn't
know it was them doing the Guiness Ad.
In all honesty though, it matters not which of Leftfield's albums is the best.
All that needs to be said is that they are both superb and essential to anyone
who classes themselves as a 90's kid.
I'm sure others may disagree [that being the whole point of opinions], but R&S
missed out on #1 because of "6/8 War", "Dub Gussett" and "Chant...". Even the
strength of "Phat Planet", "Swords", "Dusted" and "Afrika Shox" can't quite
make up for them. Still a stunning album though. Most other artists would kill...etc..
I doubt that there is any album better than this for a blast around the countryside
in a car with decent stereo and a bit of kick under the hood.
#1 - BT - Movement In Still Life.
The boy Transeau's done it again. This gem of a CD crept out a few monthsback
without any real publicity or media interest [as opposed to Leftfield].
That's not what it's all about though. Great tunes. Full Stop.
There's nothing on here that's definite stand-out "single" material just because
it's ALL so good and flows together really sweetly. Sure, there's the obligatory
end of CD slow-down track, but I can't even fault that. Well done BT. Album
of the year is one thing. Album of the year when Leftfield are in the area is
quite different.
DISAPPOINTMENT OF THE YEAR:
CHEMICAL BROTHERS - Surrender
Sure, the 3 singles released have all been stunning top-of-the-pile Chems stuff
[as shown in the TRACKS chart]. Except for "Under The Influence", The rest of
this is utter gash. "Dream On"?? "Asleep From Day"?? "Surrender"??. It's hard
to belive this lot came from the same stable the brought us "Leave Home" and
the almighty "Private Psychedelic Reel".
COMPILATION:
Prodigy present THE DIRTCHAMBER SESSIONS VOLUME ONE.
Although Global Underground have done a cracking job with their lot this year,
I'm delving back to the dark ages of February for this one. 48 Tracks in 51
minutes. Sure you don't get a good listen of them all, but that's not the point
of a compilation like this. A rough, screwed up mix of some classic tracks.
Many of them fairly elderly, but still cutting it despite their age. As a mix
though, this just p*ssed on the summers crop of "The Best Ibiza Trance album
in the world ever..[99 was really bad, wasn't it? 30 tunes shared among 20 mix
sets].
I, a huge Prodigy fan, would be happy enough to have the next album delayed
for another one of these. And thankfully a second instalment is planned. The
Prodigy albums keep getting better, l'd be surprised if the mix sets do too.
I can but dream.
TRACKS [Not, only singles, album tracks too. Sometimes the real crackers never
make a single release]:
#10 BLANK & JONES - Cream
The only Ibiza style tune that really did much for me. One of the first, and
still my favourite. Deserves to be remember more than most of the fluff from
99.
#9 - SUNSCREEM - Coda\Good Times
Yes, yes. 2 Tracks, but I can't decide between them. Both gorgeous, and they
give us a sharp slap in the face and tell us not to lose faith or forget about
Sunscreem. Think, if this is the stuff they're giving away free and dropping
from the next album, just how GOOD is O.O.T.W. going to be?
#8 - PAUL VAN DYK - Avenue
Much better than the A side status that "Another Way" was given. Sure, nothing
really new and different to it. Fairly simple, fast and it works. Hits the spot.
#7 - JAMIROQUAI - Supersonic
So very not Jamiroquai it's unreal. The best track off Synk, bar none. Not in
their usual style and almost instrumental. Like a tortilla, wrapped and grilled
with cheese, salsa, chilli, jalepenos, peppers and chicken, extra spicy. You
either love it or hate it, and I think it's magnificent, Gringo.
#6 - LEFTFIELD - Swords
The best track from R&S that isn't "Afrika Shox". Immensely powerful and it
just kinda draws you in to it. Also features in best movie of the year ["Go"],
so bonus points there.
#5 - CHEMICAL BROTHERS - Out Of Control [Sasha Remix]
#4 - CHEMICAL BROTHERS - Hey Boy Hey Girl
You know these. HBHG speaks for itself [anthem anyone?]. Sasha does the almost
impossible and makes OOC even better. Top track, top remix.
#3 - LEFTFIELD - Afrika Shox
I don't think this one needs explaining, do you? Leftfield's first proper single
release in 37 years, and they chose a belter. I nearly caused a pile-up on the
M5 the first time I heard it. Evil.
#2 - BEDROCK - Heaven Scent
#1 - SASHA - Xpander
Both absolutely stunning, blatant full-on dance tunes. Done, however with copious
amounts of class and sheer sexiness. I really couldn't decide which of these
to make number 1, but I'll honour Sasha with it, just because Digweed and Muir
kept me waiting months before the actually released the damn thing so us mere
mortals were able to get our paws on it.
HONOURABLE MENTIONS & NEAR MISSES:
SUNSCREEM - Exodus '99. Top Tune, Top Mixes, a great start for FiVe AM.
UNDERWORLD - King of snake. Their best track to date, they've done it correctly.
PAUL VAN DYK BOOTLEGS - Found An Angel. Is this not just gorgeous? For an angel
with sexy vocal over the top. Yum Yum.
CHEMICAL BROTHERS - Let Forever Be. A Killer track, wicked video and great for
all occasions. Perfect results every time.
LEFTFIELD - Dusted. None of the remixes really matter. The original album cut
is all that's required. Sultry and powerful. Essential.
GRATUTIOUS F--K OFFS:
YOMANDA - Synths & Strings.
The twat that did this pitiful money-grab is also responsible for Lolly [if
you don't know; don't ask!]. Please revert to your previous job as a painter
or whatever and leave the rest of us in peace.
LIQUID CHILD - Diving Faces
Enough Already! Heard it in January or something, and it's still doing the rounds
in October. STOP please! Fair enough if it was a decent tune in the first place...
The GALLUP CHART chart people, or whoever it was that decided on the shitty
20 minute per CD single rule. Thus completely robbing us non-vinyl people of
Bedrock's "Life Line", which wasn't allowed on their CDS.
A CD single costing 4.49 is OK, yet a CD single with 21 minutes of music isn't?
Get a grip, we pay your wages.
So. That's what I think. How about you?
All the best for the forthcoming drinking season [as that's all it is now..]
Gav
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