Sushi’s Best of 2011
I can’t believe 2011 is almost at a close. This year has moved along pretty fast in me for some ways, but has been dragging in other aspects. Music turned out to be one of the “fast moving” items of 2011, but probably because I haven’t had this much excitement following music in a while.
UK Garage made its big return in 2011 with some impressive 2-Step releases in the UK the two previous years, along with (in my opinion) a push into the more “classic” UKG feel by the emergence of UKB. Some of the legendary producers made their return amongst the influx of new names, but most importantly, UKG, what I’d consider the “parent” genre of Grime, Dubstep, UK Funky, and Bassline, had been listening in on what its “children” were up to and took some of those cues and put them into new production.
While some debate whether this UKG revival will be short lived, given the opportunity to repeat the same mistakes the original boom in the late 90’s/early 00’s, the significance cannot be denied. While the UKG sound will always be associated with its almost mainstream past, I believe it will more importantly go down in history as one of the most significant genres as far as the development of the UK and Worldwide dance music scenes.
With that said, the following is my Best of 2011 (in no particular order). Since I’ve been messing with a bit more “open genre” mixing the past few years, there are likely releases that fall outside of the “UKG norm.” There were so many great UKG tunes this past year, it was incredibly difficult to compile this list, so everything you see here I either play regularly or has a great significance (in my opinion) to the UKG scene as a whole.
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DJ Para ft. Robbie Craig - Tell Me
Para & Robbie Craig bring the oldskool UKG vibes on this hit. If you haven’t checked out Para’s new material, be sure to keep an eye on his Soundcloud (here). Para’s been working with Scott Garcia this year, putting out big tunes and remixes, such as the one for Jammer’s “Back to the 90’s,” so we’ll definitely be seeing some big new releases in 2012.
Artful ft. Kal Lavelle - Could Just Be the Bassline
Easily one of the most recognized tunes of the year, Artful (Mark Hill from the legendary Artful Dodger) keeps the production top notch, as clean and crisp as the tracks on the classic Artful Dodger album “It’s All About the Stragglers.” The original may not the most dancefloor friendly tune, but the release contains a few remixes sure to keep the crowd moving. I’m hoping some of the tunes he’s been sharing with some of us this past year, such as the remix of Metals “Like Unlike” and “Wasteman” (featuring Donae’o) will get a proper release in 2012!
Jessie J - Who You Are (Exemen Remix)
Another veteran returning to the scene with some big tunes this year is Wookie (if you don’t know or haven’t figured it out yet, “Exemen” is one of his aliases) with this big remix! I also featured his remix of Duchess’ “All the Boyz” (featuring Scorcher) on my “Phoenix” UKG mix (available for free download on my website). I admit, I wasn’t a huge fan of Wookie during the first “wave” of UKG, but his production this year has been growing on me.
Ms. Dynamite - Neva Soft (The Mike Delinquent Project Remix)
What is there that I can say about The Mike Delinquent Project that hasn’t been said already? As if his contribution to UKG as part of Delinquent in the earlier part of the decade wasn’t significant enough, Mike has gone on to completely murder the UKG scene with his remixes this year. Now, having moved onto working on his album, it’s pretty much a sure thing that we’ll be hearing more from Mike in 2012!
Skream ft. Sam Frank - Anticipate (Cassius Remix)
Dubstep has had a big year, no matter how frustrated some people may be regarding its mainstream success. I rarely play Dubstep tunes, however, having played a significant role in the development of the genre (read: the North American underground garage scene were receiving/rinsing “dubstep” tunes before the term had even been coined), I still support the artists involved in the sound from the start. With that said, coupled with my renewed interest in 4/4 music, this Cassius remix of Skream’s “Anticipate” (featuring Sam Frank) was a must for this year.
Todd Edwards - Head Held High
Though Todd never stopped producing after the first wave of UKG lost its momentum earlier in the decade, “Head Held High” was probably his biggest tune of the year (considering it was released as a “name your own price” release on Bandcamp, I’m sure that didn’t hurt, either). You may also want to check out Todd’s foray into broken beat with his late 2010 remix of Toni Toni Lee’s “Last Love.”
Rack N Ruin ft. P Money & Koast - Signal (The Mike Delinquent Project Remix)
The Grime sound has always been a big part of my DJ career. Not only did I push the sound in the States, but it was also my favorite “battle” genre, since I always was able to give Grime the “Hip-Hop twist” it deserved in DJ battles and wasn’t as constrained with the vocals as I was with UKG. In any event, I still have a lot of respect for this genre, since there’s always something fresh going on with the lyrics or production. This Mike Delinquent Project remix of “Signal” is a must for UKG DJ’s looking for that extra edge that MDP always brings.
Vato Gonzalez ft. Foreign Beggars - Jump (Badman Riddim)
This really isn’t in the realm of UKG, but this tune has been fitting in nicely in both my UKG sets and in my Top 40 sets, as well (yes, I play “radio music,” too). First heard the original/instrumental on Rossi B & Luca’s “Springalingaling” mix from last year, but this track and the whole “dirty house” movement has definitely been making an impact on dance music, in general. Definitely will be keeping my eye out for more production from Vato in 2012, but Foreign Beggars brings the fire on the “finalized version” of Badman Riddim!
Lethal B ft. Grime Allstars (JME, Wiley, Chipmunk, Face, P Money, Ghetts & Kano) - Pow 2011
POW! Not much I need to say about this tune except that it’s nice to see all the Grime MC’s I used to watch on poor quality internet videos and DVD’s in HD! Silencer/Teddy on production, some of the wickedest MC’s ever involved in the Grime scene, and Wiley another no-show for a video shoot?—All the makings for a hit. For a more dancefloor friendly vibe, check out the Bee Q & Unique mashup of Pow 2011 with Dexplicit’s “Bullacake,” aka “Pow Cake 2011.”
Sneakbo - The Wave (The Mike Delinquent Project Remix)
ANTHEM! Since the release of the original produced by Ill Blu, this track has been getting MASSIVE airplay. As if the song wasn’t a sell enough itself with the catchy lyrics and production, The Mike Delinquent Project also did a remix of this tune with a great hybrid oldskool/nuskool 2-Step vibe! MUST HAVE FOR 2011 AND INTO 2012.
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I hope you all enjoyed (or at least got something) out of my “Best of 2011.” If you haven’t checked out Tornado’s “Best of 2011,” be sure to check that out. Also, keep an eye out for Whoa-B’s list, which will be up by the end of the year.
Musicwise, I’m definitely looking forward to 2012 and you know if it has to do with UK BASS, Brüt Force will be bringin’ it! :)
—Sushi
