randombeats.com

Another year, and time again to celebrate my favorite tunes of the year.  This is the 3nd annual Recap, having done the first one in 2010, followed by another in 2011.

Like all of the previous posts, I’m using this space to highlight some of my own influences – which have come in the form of individual tracks as well as mixes from standout DJs on podcasts and promotional mixes around the web that I’ve listened to through the year.

Please enjoy this selection of mixes and tracks from these hardworking artists, and if possible, support them any way you can.  These lists are in no particular order.

Top 5 Tracks:

1. Eric Prydz – Every Day - Without a doubt, my most favorite release of the year.  I could write several pages about why I think it’s the best house track to be released in years, but let me leave it at this:  House works best when it’s kept simple.
2. Masamune – Knockin – I believe this just showed up in my Soundcloud feed one day, as part of a greater compilation called Heavy Electronic Music vol. 1.  Although not a major release, I liked the subtlety of this track and found “Knockin” to be a profound dubstep release this year.
3. Wideboys – Addicted to the Bass(Tantrum Desire mix) - This track was my first exposure to Tantrum Desire, although I was surprised to find out this artist had been around for a while.  Along with other releases, this track put him in good standing to replace the Pendulum-sized hole in my heart.
4. Doctor P & Elite Force – Watch Out(Revamp) - Elite Force released a great follow up to his novel RVMPD albums this year, called RVMPD2.  The whole album had several songs I liked, but “Watch Out” stood out for me.  The original lacked a sense of pace that Elite Force managed to really nail down in this version.
5. Alex Clare – Too Close (Theory’s Room To Breathe Dub) - The original was a big hit that many people might be familiar with; frankly I didn’t care for it.  However, this, like most any musical problem, was fixed with an injection of laid-back dub reggae.

Top 5 Mixes:

1. Autechre – Live at Flex 1996 - Obviously, this was not a mix released this year.  However, I found it notable for two reasons:  One, I have been exposed to very little Autechre over the years and found it to be a good introduction to their body of work; and two, I was able to give this mix my full attention for the duration of the  set, and I can describe it only as hallucinogenic.
2. Super 8 and Tab – Data Transmission Podcast 208 - These two represent a new wave of big-room trance.  Joining Above and Beyond’s Anjunabeats label surely gave these guys the recognition they deserve.  I’m a big fan of their “SuperTab Radio” podcast, but the mix they did for Data Transmission early this year was what caught my attention.
3. Bad Boy Bill – Behind The Decks Radio Show 12 - As one of Bad Boy Bill’s biggest fans, I was so happy when he started this new podcast series.  Podcast mixes like these are such a great way for artists to modernize and connect more directly with fans.  There’s not a single one of this series that I haven’t liked – but this one sounded the most like a “classic Bad Boy Bill” mix with a fast pace, tight scratching, and a mix of old and new sounds.
4. Resident Advisor RA.326 – Apparat - Sounds like lo-fi electro and 80′s pop without the vocals.  Incredibly dreamy, laid-back, and pleasant.
5. UFO! – Radio UFO! Momba Mix – UFO! has always been one of my favorite drum and bass artists for the diverse perspective he brought to the table.  He’s been a major player in the “Moombahton” scene for a while now, and this mix brought forth some of the elements that are familiar to the D&B UFO! fan, like his signature use of film samples.

Well, it’s the end of the year again, meaning it’s time for me to link-dump my favorite tunes and mixes of the year for you.  This is the 2nd annual Recap, having done the first one last year in 2010.

Like last year’s post, I’m using this space to highlight some of my own influences – which have come in the form of individual tracks as well as mixes from standout DJs on podcasts and promotional mixes around the web.

Please enjoy this selection of mixes and tracks from these hardworking artists, and if possible, support them any way you can.  These lists are in no particular order.

Top 5 Tracks:

1. DJ Fresh – Louder(Doctor P & Flux Pavillion remix) - I’m not normally into the super-heavy dubs like this, but with people making videos like this with this track, how could you not fall in love?  The original mix is a killer as well.  Respect is due to Sian from Kosheen providing the vocals on this one.




2. Run DMT – Baraka’s Theme – Anybody who knows me knows I’m a HUGE Mortal Kombat nut.  So when I found out there was an electronica album coming out inspired by Mortal Kombat(curated by JFK of MSTRKRFT), I was all ears.  “Baraka’s Theme” was my favorite cut from this album, due mostly to the slow, deliberate pace and thunderous sounds.
3. Trent Reznor and Karen O. – Immigrant Song(Led Zeppelin Cover) – This cover has a nice big sound, and definitely made me sit up straight in my chair when I heard it the first time in the trailer for “Girl with the Dragon Tattoo“.  Like many NIN/Trent productions, this sneaks up on you in the most delightful way.
4. Magnetic Man – The Bug  – British readers may note that this technically came out last year, but we here in the States didn’t get the message about this one until the spring of 2011.  I really liked this moody cut from the first and only(so far) dubstep super-group.
5. Katy B – Katy on a Mission – I picked up Katy B’s album late this year, and was very glad I did.  The album was produced mostly by DJ Zinc, which gives the young Katy some serious credibility.  This particular track was produced by Benga and quickly found a place as my favorite from this disc.

Top 5 Mixes:

1. XLR8R Podcast 200 – Richie Hawtin vs. Plastikman – How precisely does one get in a DJ battle with themselves?  And how does one go about remixing a live DJ set?  These seem to be the questions that Richie Hawtin is providing the answer to in the form of this XLR8R podcast.  Apparently, this is “Plastikman remix” of a Hawtin live set(and yes, they are the same guy).  At a minimum, this is a challenging mix that seems to gravitate even more toward the chilled-out spectrum than most of this minimal master’s work.
2. Resident Advisor RA.270 – Tokimonsta – I had been a little familiar with the artist’s body of work, but when I first learned Tokimonsta’s identity, it was much like when Neo met Trinity in the first Matrix film:  I always thought she was a guy.  Rather, she is a very female L.A. based DJ with a demonstrated understanding of hip hop.  Moody underground beats, Toki’s own tracks, and a whirlpool of dubby effects make this mix a very notable contribution to trip-hop this year.
3. Stereo MC’s – Spring Selection Mixtape – I love a mix that won’t commit to one genre or another.  Few DJs can reliably pull this off, but the Stereo MC’s have successfully made a true “mixtape” out of this mix:  Its diverse selection includes hip hop, dubstep, old-school electro, rare groove, post-punk, house, and classic rock…and yet nothing seems out of place.  This is a great mix to start your day with, or provide the perfect soundtrack to a late-night party.
4. Barcode Recordings Filthcast 033 featuring Eye-D and Hidden – Like your drum and bass hard, techy, and fast, a la Dieselboy or Counterstrike?  This mix is for you.  Only Eye-D and Hidden’s own tracks are on display here, and they represent some of the best that hardcore drum and bass has to offer this year.
5. Knife Party – Live at Space in Ibiza - Knife Party is Rob Swire and Gareth McGrillen(both of Pendulum fame)’s side project, demonstrating some tech-house and dubstep chops.  This mix showcases many of their own tunes, and their remixes of other big house tunes.  Echoes of Pendulum-esque sounds can be heard throughout many of the selections in this mix.

Yes, it’s been a while since the last update here.  That dosen’t mean I’m not working hard on bringing you some more fresh new music!

In the meantime, I thought I’d sum up our journey together so far.   It’s pretty amazing to me what has happened with this site; it’s been through a total of 3 iterations over the years, including a music-news centric site, to a dj-mix focused site, to this.  This current version of the site, focusing on production, has been the most comfortable for me.

So far, I have published 61 individual random beats spread among 5 volumes.  This alone counts for about 2 and a half hours of free music.  When you count all the EPs that have been released(both as standalones, like Red Time, as well as the 2 remix EPs for Existential Funk), the total amount of music on this site is over 4 hours. That’s not even counting the Old Tracks or any of the other material.

I hope you’ve enjoyed all of the content so far.  It is my intention to broadcast as much free material as I can for as long as possible, so be on the lookout for some new audio soon!

P.S. Got something you’re looking forward to hearing more of?  Remixes, random beats, specific genres?  Let me know in the comments!