Best Tracks Of The Year
Arma, “Favela” [Artifice]
DJ Tuco & Allmostt, “The One” [Top Billin]
Hodge & Randomer, “If I Could Stop” [Clone Basement Series]
Gibson Brothers, “Ooh What A Life (Gerd Janson & Shan Edit)” [Running Back]
Jensen Interceptor, “Not Phased” [Central Processing Unit]
The Juan Maclean “Can You Ever Really Know Somebody (LA-4A Remix)” [DFA]
Mark Broom, “LX” [ePM Music]
SCB, “Acid Bath” [Hotflush]
Sly One, “Drum Party” [Lobster Boy]
TC4, “Play Samba” [Heka Trax]
Best Albums Of The Year
Jefre Cantu-Ledesma, On The Echoing Green [Mexican Summer]
Kamasi Washington, Harmony Of Difference [Young Turks]
Power Trip, Nightmare Logic [Southern Lord]
Rainforest Spiritual Enslavement, Ambient Black Magic [Hospital Productions]
William Basinski, A Shadow In Time [2062]
Best New Artist
Yaeji
One of the year’s most surprising breakout acts is Yaeji, whose blend of R&B and house sounds so at ease despite the two genres typically being so incongruent. “Raingurl” sounds like an obvious hit record without being forceful or gimmicky, a rare occurrence in the pop landscape.
Label Of The Year
Dekmantel
Holland’s Dekmantel were burning on all cylinders to celebrate their tenth anniversary. Part of the celebration includes a 10 part EP series that, throughout the year, has featured Egyptian Lover, Levon Vincent, Palms Trax, and Shanti Celeste among many others. They also delivered full length albums from Anthony Parasole, Juju & Jordash, and Robert Hood. Their Selectors series rolled on with three expertly crafted compilations from Joy Orbison, Marcel Dettmann, and Young Marco. All of this on top of running one of the best best music festivals in the world. Dekmantel make being the best look easy.
DC Artist To Watch
Djoser
In February, Egyptian-born / DC based artist Djoser’s propulsive “Doha” appeared on 1432 R’s Extended Family Comp 1. Over the summer, he appeared on bills alongside Batu and Randomer. I hope to hear more tracks and see him on more lineups in 2018!