At the 1051 Magazine office we are not very fond of end-of-year lists, but as this is our first 365 days of existence, we are going to go with the cliché but in our own way (like everything we do).
That’s why we’re going to make our own lists, the best tracks and the best albums (here we’ve also included what we used to call mini albums, or EP’s of at least five tracks).
In order not to bore people, we have reduced it to 15 positions for each category.
Today, from 10 to 6, and the next week, the rest. We hope you like them as much as we have liked them.
TRACKS
10. ARTEFAKT – CHIMES AT MIDNIGHT
Sound of Berlin, the label from the German capital, continues to have its sights set on some very interesting productions, and their new reference, Chimes At Midnight, is the latest work from Artefakt, the Dutch duo’s artistic name. Chimes At Midnight is a narcotic Techno trip through hypnotic landscapes, commanded by a bassline that will not leave anyone immobile on the dancefloor. You can read the full review here
9. JOHN TEJADA – ARISE AND RUN
In the 1051 Magazine office there are guilty pleasures and one of them is good, high quality Drum ‘n’ Bass, the kind that leans more towards that Soulful, elegant and hypnotic side. John Tejada could navigate any electronic ocean with success, and in the case of his return to D’n’B he once again demonstrates his enormous experience and tons of elegance. Full review here
8. TIM SEAN LEE – SYSTEMATIC SEDUCTION
Nowadays, it is not easy to hear good Electro tracks, and Tim Sean Lee certainly knows how to make them. Systematic Seduction, where Tim’s dark vocals combine with a minimal base and bass to create a sonic artifact full of energy that will devastate any dance floor. It´s released on Electric Appliances Label, a sublabel of Moodmusic Records.
Full review here
7. BENJAMIN FRÖHLICH – HOW MUCH ARE THEY?
Back in the day, the original release was a tremendous mix of Kosmische Musik and Dub, a psychedelic trip that immediately became a cult track. Benjamin Fröhlich’s reinterpretation appears on LAGASTA‘s 10th anniversary compilation. It now receives a well-deserved solo release. Full review here
6. GROOVE ARMADA – A LITTLE LONGER (feat. PARIS BRIGHTLEDGE)
Tom and Andy are going to say goodbye to the year 2021 with the release of an EP on Origins Records with four house bangers to dance to, with the same quality and elegance as always. The EP opens with the silk-titled A Little Longer, featuring the extraordinary vocals of Paris Brightledge and demonstrating how the London duo can make you dance under 100 BPM.. Read the review here
ALBUMS
10. VA – SNICK SNACK VOL.1 | SOUNDS FROM THE NORWEGIAN UNDERGROUND
What started out as a vessel to release their own music, Ost & Kjex + Trulz & Robin’s Snick Snack Music is steadily becoming an outlet for Norwegian electronic music in the widest possible sense. The creative energy currently flowing from all corners of the country is something the boys couldn’t resist tapping into, leading to the release of Snick Snack Vol. 1 – Sounds from the Norwegian underground, a compilation aiming to show some of the diversity found throughout the country’s vibrant and freewheeling underground scene. Read the review here
9. VA – SONNTAGINSTITUT 001
After more than 5 years of collective work, the Sonntagsinstitut Crew from Berlin creates its own record label with a digital release in solidarity. All proceeds generated by this EP will go to Women in Exile e.V., an initiative of refugee women fighting for their rights. But not only its purpose is highly interesting, because its content is even more so. Full review here
8. OH MAMA – BLOKKIR
From a home studio, great results can be achieved, and the fundamental ingredients for this are originality and creativity, something Oh Mama have in abundance. The album is packed with quirky house, nu disco sounds, breaks and even ambient delirium. On first listen, part of this second album brings to mind vaguely those early Röyksopp recordings, for example.. The review can be found here
7. VA – STEM SELL (REMIXED BY PLAID)
Andy Turner and Ed Handley, the London duo best known as Plaid, released a new remixes album called Stem Sell. It´s a very limited edition, just 300 cd´s and 300 vinyls (also available on digital download), and the benefits of this release will go to the MacMillan Cancer Support. This non-profit organisation provides with fundamental and invaluable support to people affected with cancer.In Stem Sell, a lot of artists provided as well their tracks for free, like Max Cooper, Detroit Grand Pubahs, Red Snapper, DJ Tennis, Sun Electric or John Tejada, among others. Plaid remixes the 28 tracks, and the release has a superb design by Grid Pattern . Full review here
6. THIRD ATTEMPT – QUARANTINE REMIXES
Torje Fagertun Spilde, aka Third Attempt, a self-taught producer, composer and DJ born and based in the Norwegian capital, Oslo, although he grew up in Asker, just outside the city. At only 23 years of age, Torje has shown in a very short time that he has something special that sets him apart from the rest. House, Balearic, Lounge, Trip-Hop, Ambient, and the more electronic aspects of Jazz and Funk filled Quarantine Remixes, which as its title indicates, is an album with remixes of Beats From The Quarantine. Taking up-and-coming names mainly from the Oslo and Tromsø scene on the remix duties, the danceable rhythm of the original album is elevate Review here
