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.

Some of my favourite artists, tracks and labels from the past year.

1. The Black Dog - UV Sine (Soma) Info

2. Henrik Schwarz - I Exist Because Of You (Innervisions) Info

3. Kuniyuki Takahashi - The Session (Mule) Info

4. Deadbeat - Grounation (Wagon Repair) Info

5. Sis - Trompeta (Sei Es Drum) Info

6. Etienne Jaumet - Repeat Again After Me (Versatile) Info

7. Mike Edge - Walking Alone (Sistrum) Info

8. Moritz Von Oswald - Watamu Beach (Desolat) Info

9. Martyn - Vancouver (3024) Info

10. Shackleton - Blood On My Hands (Skull Disco) Info

A few of my favorites from 2006.

Artist - Track (Label)

1. Fat Eyes - Assult Rifle (Soul Jazz) - Buy

Soul Jazz effortlessly puts together 25 years of dancehall in all it’s style’s and connects it to today’s dub step/grime/digital scenes. The Rekid album also on SJR was another highlight of the year.

2. Alice Smith - Love Endeavor (BBE) - Info

Maurice Fulton gives us a beautiful dubby disco/boogie rework of Alice Smith.

3. Owusu & Hannibal - Lonnie’s Secret (Ubiquity) Buy

Great album from Danish duo. Skillfully produced futuristic soul music.

4. 3 Chairs - BABO (3 Chairs) Info

Out-there Detroit house - how can a 3 chairs record not be in my best of the year?

5. Nomo - Nutones (Ubiquity) Buy

Another one from Ubiquity. Tight afro beat outfit from Detroit.

6. Rhythm & Sound - See Mi Version (Burial Mix) Buy

Rhythm & Sound’s ‘See Mi Yah’ album gets remixed, with highlight’s from Carl Craig, Sleeparchive and Hallucinator. Mark and Moritz don their Basic Channel guise for remix duties as well.

7. Kode 9 & The Spaceape - Victims (Hyperdub) Buy

Hyperdub released 2 widely acclaimed albums in 2006. Both the Burial and Kode 9 lp’s are dark, menacing and deeply compelling.

8. Cobblestone Jazz - Dump Truck (Wagon Repair) Buy

Superb record from Cobblestone Jazz - quirky electronics, with nice keys on the latter half of Dump Truck.

9. F.S.T.R. - Basic Track (Unrestricted Access) Buy

Shelter keeps up the pressure with a solid amount of releases from Quentin Harris, Filsonik and Timmy Regisford with more of an emphasis on the tribal tracky side of house - just the way I like it.

10. A Guy Called Gerald - Sweet You (Laboratory Instinct) Buy

Acid house pioneer Gerald Simpson goes back to his roots and gives us 24 raw club tracks inspired by 80’s Chicago & Detroit.

11. Omar S & Shadow Ray - Oasis Collaborating (FXHE) Buy

A second round-up of releases from FXHE - one of the most interesting labels in Detroit right now.

12. Martin Buttrich - Full Clip (Planet E) Buy

Great release on Planet E. Programmer sounds like an updated ‘Acid Eiffel’. Buttrich’s ‘Cloudy Bay’ release on Poker Flat was also excellent.

13. John Tejada - The End Of It All (Palette) Buy

Solid release from John Tejada’s Palette label. His remix of Jimpster’s ‘Square Up’ was also superb.

Direct download: Just_Good_Music_1_22_07_-_Best_Of_2006.m4a

A few of my favourite tracks from 2005

Title - Artist (Label)

1. Damien “Jnr. Gong” Marley - Welcome To Jamrock (Ghetto Youths) Info
Bob Marley’s son gives us a dancehall monster. Using a classic, driving Sly & Robbie rhythm (from Ini Kamoze’s “World Of Music”).

2. Stromba - Tickle Me Dub (Fat Cat) Info
Fat Cat have a knack for releasing interesting music, whether it’s pounding dancefloor tracks or ethereal pop. Stromba’s debut album ‘The Sitting Room’, is a lesson in eclecticism. Dub rhythms, twisted jazz and afro beat all combine to make a coherent, solid listen all the way through.

3. Jah Warrior - Heartical Dub (Deep Space Media) Info
A small taste of Francois K’s popular party in NY, featuring an impeccable and eclectic mix of tribal house, heavy dub, lush techno, nu disco and a touch of drum n’ bass, as well as excellent new productions by Francois K.

4. Konono No.1 - Kule Kule (Crammed Discs) Info
The traditional African instruments used by this 12 piece Congolese band were modified with used car parts, old amplifiers, and other parts found in the junk yard. The result being music that sounds like nothing else. Raw, distorted, highly infectious and very danceable. This album is truly remarkable.

5. Recloose - Dust (Peacefrog) Info
The debut single from Recloose’s 2nd album is funky as hell. A bumpy, off kilter house track with lush vocals and hints of afro-funk. A party tune, that will get everyone on their feet.

6. Jill Scott - ‘Not Like Crazy’ (Shelter) Info
2005 was a prolific year for Quentin Harris. It seemed like he had a release or remix every week and all consistently good. Crossing genre boundaries, this is not your run of the mill house remix. Just as good, if not better than the original version.