THE SOUND OF PLASTIC LOVE / 2011

2011 was a fairly big year for us, we hosted several of our own parties (including Ame's live debut!), made treks south of the border to Mexico to play at the Sunrise Music Festival, provided a home for some fantastic up and coming as well as established DJs on our podcast (a rather BUMPING old school set from Germany's Snuff Crew), made lots of awesome new friends, and of course found lots of awesome new music. Here's a list of our favorite tracks, EPs, albums, and record labels from the last year that really helped shape our sound.

Favorite Tracks //

Julio Bashmore - Battle For Middle You: Bristol has been making some serious noise lately, and it's easy to see why Julio Bashmore is leading the charge with this slice of modern house music. People get up, stomp your feet...indeed Mr. Bashmore.

Julio Bashmore - Father Father

Osunlade - Envision (Ame Remix): It's not very often that Ame does a remix or an original track (their quality control limits them to about 2 per year), but when they do it's always an absolute smash. When we brought Kristian out in June for a DJ set, this was definitely one of the standouts that had people singing for week if not months. Definite big summer tune for us.

The Rapture - How Deep Is Your Love (Populette Remix): Max Pask and Andrew Potter, aka Populette, are some damn fine producers as this remix of The Rapture's first single of their latest album (In The Grace Of Your Love) clearly shows. Taking what was once a piano and saxophone laden (new wave?) gospel tune and transforming into an analog monster club jam should definitely cement Populette in the minds and ears of everyone. Already big favorites of ours for their releases on New York's Throne Of Blood, 2012 should prove to be even bigger for these two and we can't wait to hear what else is in store. Make sure to check out their latest EP, Lasers Are Forever, out now on Throne Of Blood.

J Phlip - Fever

Steffi - Yours

Virgo Four - It's A Crime (Caribou Remix): Taking a break from what seemed to be a hectic 2010 (his Caribou album and accompanying live tour), 2011 saw Dan Snaith, aka Caribou, embark on a more DJ based route. Knocking out remixes and original music as both Caribou and his more garage inspired moniker Daphni had the man picking up gigs all across Europe. His remix of this classic Virgo Four track popped up in our sets all over the summer.

Tevo Howard - Without Me (Marcus Worgull Dub - Dixon Edit)

Lucky Paul - Thought We Were Alone

Russ Yallop - Crossroads (Fur Coat Remix)

Maceo Plex - Falling, Can't Leave You, Her Security: You really couldn't step foot into a club in 2011 without hearing something from one of Crosstown Rebels' darlings, Maceo Plex. Already a favorite among DJs as Maetrik, Eric Estonel's work as Maceo Plex really saw the artist shine as a producer, DJ, and live act. With a slew of releases and a full album under his belt in one year, his hard work has paid off in spades. 

Russ Yallop - I Can't Wait

Benoit & Sergio - Everybody

Todd Terje - Ragysh: Todd Terje is always the right choice and when teamed up with Gerd Janson's Running Back he's an even better choice.

Todd Terje - Snooze 4 Love

Larse - The More I Want: Summer jams and disco vibes all over this tune, this track made us stand up and take notice of what Larse was doing and led us to his outstanding EP on Disko (another big EP for us this year). Be on the lookout for his remix of Gavin Herlihy on Culprit, out in January.

Deniz Kurtel - The L Word (OG & Guy Gerber)


SBTRKT - Pharoahs

Miguel Campbell - Something Special

Intruder - Amame: The minds behind Murk return to their Intruder moniker with a new long overdue EP to remind everyone why they are one of the kings of house music.

Tale of Us - Dark Song

Aril Brikha - Forever Frost/Tundra

Maxxi Sounsystem - Make Or Break

Plastikman - Krakpot (Moby Remix)

Waifs & Strays - Be Patient

Inxec & Droog - Unhinged

Manuel Tur - Most Of This Moment (Isolee Remix)

Infinity Ink - Games: Love or hate Hot Creations, 2011 was definitely their year. Tracks from label bosses Jamie Jones and Lee Foss as Hot Natured, Ali Love, Waifs & Strays (another Bristol act with something to say), MANIK, Danny Daze, Clockwork, and others made this one of the most club and party friendly labels of the year. With music like this it's hard to see where the haters would come from, who doesn't like to party?

Bicep - EP2: It was hard for us to choose a favorite cut on this EP, so we threw on the whole thing. Two of our favorite producers, DJs, and gym buddies are Andy and Matt aka Bicep. Their penchant for creating fresh sounding music with a classic take makes their tunes pump like Arnold in the 70s. Acid basslines, analog drums, and infectiously groovy rhythms made their 2nd EP on Throne Of Blood one of our favorites of the year.

Storm Queen - It Goes On

Jullian Gomes - Love Story 28 feat. Bobby (Ewan Pearson Remix)

Saarid - Future Lately

MANIK - She Watches Me

Cosmic Kids - Reginald's Groove EP: Our love affair with Throne Of Blood isn't something we pretend to hide. We chart nearly every EP, put them in all our sets, and really try to spread what we think is quite amazing music. Too many EPs from the New York camp to pick an absolute favorite this year, but Classixx's remix of Cosmic Kids' Reginald's Groove was a big jam for us. Be on the lookout for Cosmic Kids in 2012, if 2011 is any indication of what's to come they're going to be a hit (especially with a remix of The Rapture already on its way).

Nikko Gibler - Hide From No One

Suzanne Kraft - Morning Come

FaltyDL - Make It Difficult

Agoria - Singing (Dixon Remix)

Fink - Move On Me (Marcus Worgull Rework)

Metronomy - Everything Goes My Way (Ewan Pearson Rave Dub): The year wouldn't be complete without jams from Ewan Pearson. Absolutely one of our favorite producers and DJs, his output is unmatched. The aptly titled "Rave Dub" suits almost any occasion, even raves!

Favorite Albums //
Holy Ghost! - Holy Ghost! [DFA]
Massimiliano Pagliara - Focus For Infinity [Live At Robert Johnson]
The Rapture - In The Grace Of Your Love [DFA]
Scuba - DJ-Kicks [K7!]
Gatto Fritto - Gatto Fritto [International Feel]

Tiger & Woods - Through The Green [Running Back]

Various Artists - Above The City [Culprit]

Favorite Labels //
Culprit
Throne Of Blood
Rush Hour
Running Back
Wurst Music Co.
Crosstown Rebels
Innervisions Records
Philomena
Praterei
Live At Robert Johnson
Needwant Records
Under The Shade
Wolf Music