According to the Kellman System of Year End Categorization (KSYEC) mixes, reissues, compilations and whatnots are to be included separately from artist album list...with the exception being stuff that was only previously released on vinyl and not on CD. I don't question it, but it makes sense and thus I go with it. Fuck off if you don't like it.
But before I begin that...did anyone perchance check CBC radio2 or 3 last night (89.9)??? They were playing the Pixies live in concert, but I couldn't quite tell if it was a new recording or older one. Anyone with information on this can email me and I'll be eternally greatful. Either way, it was awesome to hear the Pixies live on the radio.
And now....on to the list...:
10. VARIOUS ARTISTS- EADEBG (12k)
One of the most exciting things about 12k is label founder Taylor Deupree's willingness to take chances on fresh new faces doing new ideas, rather than stay conservative with the usual artists and guarentee decent sales figures. This compilation takes some of the label's newest artists and mixes them with others to create a beautiful homage to guitar/laptop music.
9. VARIOUS ARTISTS- DFA RECORDS PRESENTS COMPILATION #1 (DFA)
Same neighborhood as 12k but a completely different sound finds punk rockers DFA kinda sorta ripping off post punk greats of yesteryear but doing something fresh with it. It's funny because I never ever realized how many of my favorite labels are based in Brooklyn (Environ, DFA, 12k)...Anyways, this is essential if you slept on any of the vinyl releases.
8. VARIOUS ARTISTS- ROUGH TRADE: POST PUNK COMPILATION (Rough Tr.)
Rough Trade took it back to school for many a person with this and along side the Mutant Disco comp. It's a bit intimidating and overwhelming how good this compilation is, but if you really think the DFA sound was original, you need to check this and get edjumucated quickly.
7. VARIOUS ARTISTS- POP AMBIENT 2004 (kompakt)
It's one of the weakest in this long running series, especially with a few of these songs already available on CD, but Kompakt at their weakest is still stronger than a good majority of ambient labels out there. Donnacha Costello's closing piece is easily one of his finest moments.
6. DANIEL BELL- BLIP BLURP BLEEP
Do you like minimal techno? Of course. We all do. But for me and many a person minimal techno begins with two people: Rob Hood and Daniel Bell. This collects all of DBX's finest moments onto a nice little set...with some of these gems very tough to find. Nothing less than brilliance from a man whose genius goes sorely overlooked all too often.
5. VARIOUS ARTISTS- GOOD NIGHT (Tigerbeat6)
Surprisingly, Tigerbeat6 bested Kompakt for ambient compilation of the year with this nugget that quietly went overlooked. At two discs it's a bit too much, but the lineup (Matheiu, Pimmon, Ambarchi, Hecker, Ralske, Kid606 etc) is amazing and left me wanting more with each listen.
4. AS ONE- SO FAR SO GOOD (Ubiquity)
Kirk DeGiorgio is the man. While much to the chagrin of myself (but I'm sure the glee of others) selections of his classic Planetary Folklore are not really included here. That aside this is the most definitive look at his career without having to shell out big bucks for the early rare vinyl releases.
3. MILES DAVIS- COMPLETE JACK JOHNSON SESSIONS
Jack Johnson is one of Miles' most rocking moments in his entire discography, and these sessions were included in no less than five of Miles' future albums. And while Miles is in good form througout the sessions, the real stars here are unquestionably Herbie Hancock, John McLaughlin and Jack DeJohnette. McLaughlin plays his ass off and comes up only slightly short of being the Hendrix-type Miles always wanted.
2. VARIOUS ARTISTS- LOST IN TRANSLATION
I can already see one of you wincing at seeing this placed so high. But it's good. Anything with new Kevin Shields music is golden by me. Like the movie, this soundtrack is flawless. Simply flawless.
1. SOUNDMURDERER- WIRED FOR SOUND (Violent Turd)
Until this CD, I hated jungle. I thought it best left for sports drink commercials and horrible video games. Soundmurderer changed all of that in 60 minutes and along with his performance at the Movement festival opened my eyes to how amazing ragga jungle can sound if performed tastefully. Not everyone's going to like this...but for those looking for a furious mix CD that comes at you with total fucking disaster...this is it. It's slowly becoming my favorite mix CD of all time (Theo Parrish still holds that title, for now).
That's it for today. TOMORROW: TOP SINGLES of 2003.
Posted by rob at December 28, 2003 01:04 PM