1. Radiohead - Reckoner (Fascinating Rhythms) Info
I was fortunate enough to hear Balearic Mike play a couple times over the summer and was blown away by his selections. One of the tracks that really stood out for me was this Johnny Miller remix of Radiohead’s ‘Reckoner’, which Mike subsequently used as the debut release for his Fascinating Rhythms label.

The vast majority of edits don’t do much for me except for leaving me wanting to hear the original version. The Cottam edits however, turn it up a notch, slowing the BPM and adding raw techno infused beats to the R&B and afro-beat originals. All three releases have been great - expect good things from Cottam and his Ruff Draft label in 2010.

Another couple of respectful edits and a pleasant departure from the Latin infused house that Rainer Truby is known for, although, it sounds like most of the new direction came from (the un-credited) Motor City Drum Ensemble. MCDE’s Raw Cuts #6 was also killer.

Chez Damier’s “Time Visions 1″ ep, saw the re-issue of “Sometimes I Feel” and “Teach / Keep Me” (both previously on Ron Trent’s Prescription label) as well as the  un-released “Why”. Hipnotic, mid-tempo, 3am house music. Highly recommended release from the always great Mojuba label.

Spaced-out, slow-mo techno from Lawrence, with ‘Jill’ being the highlight on his album ‘Until Then, Goodbye’. Lawrence’s Smallville imprint (which was responsible for last years ‘Songs From The Beehive’) also released a great label retrospective, ‘And Suddenly it’s Morning’ which highlighted the imprints forward thinking roster.

6. Damon Bell - Ezuzku (Deepblak) Info
Debut release from Damon Bell on Deepblak, the only American west coast label that is pushing deep soulful house & techno. Label head Aybee also released his excellent debut album ‘East Oakland Space Program’. Expect a dope 12″ from Aybee on Jus-Ed’s Underground Quality label early 2010.

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7. Floating Points - Vacuum Boogie (Eglo) Info
Hands down Sam Shepard aka Floating Points was my favourite producer of 2009. A firm fixture on my weekly radio show since Floating Point’s material started to surface late last year. His subsequent releases went from strength to strength. Bringing together house, techno, 2-step, wonky, dub-step and forging a solely unique sound.

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8. Martyn - Seventy Four (3024) Info
Like Floating Points, Martyn’s debut album ‘Great Lengths’, effortlessly hopped from genre to genre, drawing upon a wide range of sounds. The whole album was tied together by Martyn’s own unique sound and his take on the music that has influenced him.

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9. Leron Carson - Mechanism (Sound Signature) Info
Technically the tracks on Leron Carson’s ‘Red Lightbulb Theory’ are not from 2009, being recorded over 20 years ago. Finally seeing the light of day, these raw, jacking Chicago house tracks sound as relevant today as they would have in 80’s Chicago. Sound Signature also released the excellent ‘Space Station’ and ‘Blown Valvetrane’. Theo’s dope remix of DFA Soundsystem also finally got released.

10. Black Jazz Consortium - Living The Dream (Soul People Music) Info
2009 was the year that saw many proclaiming their love of deep house, however, the vast majority of ‘deep’ productions were just as bland as the minimal techno from preceding years. There was a handful of artists and labels that showed how it should be done, with Jus-Ed’s UQ crew leading the charge, especially Levon Vincent and Fred P, who’s ‘Structure’ album firmly had one foot in the past and one in the future - essential.