So yeah as we were saying, this Top Ten thing didn’t really work out as originally planned. The mix, that idea was quickly binned for the reasons below. And shortly after, once it became clear our shortlist of 43 tracks really wouldn’t divide into ten, the entire Top Ten thing was shelved too, to be replaced by a rather random Top Fourteen. That’s just the crazy way we roll folks, we don’t live by anybody rules – not even our own..
Here’s the remainder of our absolute favourites from 2011. Completely essential one and all, and with a couple of downloads for you too! Enjoy.
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INNER CITY | PENNIES FROM HEAVEN (Offamycloud Edit)
Offamycloud is Michael Reid, a New York graphic designer by day and producer of rather splendid edits by night. This one in particular is just ridiculous. One of our favourite old school tracks by one of dance music’s finest ever bands, there hasn’t been a dancefloor we’ve tended year that hasn’t completely lost their mind to the truly wonderful breakdown that Michael has expertly teased out. Decent quality VBR download below, courtesy of Offamycloud Soundcloud, where you can also pick up a few other lil nuggets.
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GET DOWN EDITS VOL2 | TRIBUTE (DEEP & DISCO REWORK) (Get Down Edits)
We’re huge fans of the Get Down Edits crew, and everything that Darren Daz Dalton & Martin Roche have turned their hands to. DJing, producing and promoting throughout the southern tip of Ireland for more years than the guys will want to admit, they’ve also brought the likes of Greg Wilson and 6th Borough Project to our shores.
2011 was a big one for the fellas – their fantastic Get Down Edits Vol1 (wax | digi) compilation was universally lauded, and followed up in the fall by Vol2 in the series. Out of the four super cool reworks, this one stood out immediately for us – such a proper singalong party starter. Watch out for some more Get Down Edits in 2012.
[audio:http://www.isodisco.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/02-Tribute-DeepDisco-Rework.mp3|titles=Get Down Edits Vol2 - Tribute (Deep&Disco Rework)]BUY | WAX ONLY
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PSYCHEMAGIK | FEELIN’ LOVE
Nottingham duo Psychemagik are another outfit to have had a stellar 2011, their remix and edit work making its way into the sets of the scene’s biggest hitters. Think this one kicked off life as a killer personal edit of a decent enough Paula Cole single, quickly gathered 13,000 listens on their soundcloud and a mental clamour for a proper release. Another one that will get the girls on the dancefloor – and we all know who follows when that happens.. Super track.
BUY | DIGI ONLY
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HOLLYWOOD SEVEN (DISCONET DILEMMA EXTENDED EDIT) (Perseo Records)
This one was one of the year’s memorable wtf moments for us. We were waiting to play in a back room at an ace little festival in Donegal alongside a brilliant line-up of Irish talent when our buddy Mike from Belfast Music Club dropped this absolute beauty.
Check the link below for the full release wax – the story goes that the legacy of Hollywood Seven, a dollarbin dancefloor weapon of Mike Simonetti’s DJ sets for almost six years, was kept alive by various cover versions which went on to become hits in Australia & Europe. On the flip side of this 12″, and after intensive editing & mixing by the folks at headquarters in Rome, Perseo compiled some of the more hard to find versions found around the globe for the ultimate Hollywood Seven release.
Quite possibly the most fabulous track of the year, in the gayest possible sense of the word dahling. 320 below, courtesy of Perseo’s Soundcloud.
[audio:http://www.isodisco.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Hollywood-Seven-Disconet-Dilemma-Extended-edit.mp3|titles=Perseo - Hollywood Seven (Disconet Dilemma Extended edit)]BUY | WAX ONLY
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SAALIM | WHAT YOU SAY (Boredaudio)
Probably our BIGGEST secret weapon of 2011 from homeboy Saalim. The second of two awesome Boredaudio releases we’ve gone for, this one spends a few minutes slowly garnering intrigue on the dancefloor and then, ever so subtly, blows their fucking heads off. There wasn’t a single time we played this on 2011 – and we played it a LOT – that didn’t get queues of punters scribbling down its name on their phones & cigarette papers. Fantastic release from a supremely skilled producer – follow Saalim on his Soundcloud page for more cracking tracks and mixes.
[audio:http://www.isodisco.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/What-You-Say.mp3|titles=Saalim - What You Say]BUY | WAX ONLY
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SOHO808 | TURNING SLOW (DiKSO)
Two things about this release defined 2011 for us – DiKSO, and Soho808 – the most consistently brilliant label of the year, combined with the most awesome producers would only ever equate to something truly special.
Another DiKSO record in our final selection, this sampler also featured the talents of Social Disco Club, Satin Jackets and Kitano and was crowned by this 5 minute groove of absolute sex from NYC’s amazing Soho808.
And to think we thought Get Up Disco could never be bettered. Soho808 approach their music like very few others. With a ridiculous level of attention to the smallest of details, you get the impression that absolutely no expense is spared in their immaculate and perfect productions. This is proper music – simple melodies, layers of gorgeous harmonious instruments, huge soul, amazing vocal. We would say another one for the ladies, but the amount of fellas we’ve had boogieing their asses clean off to this, renders that not quite the case..
Alas though, the Soho808 project is no more. Dave from the band is starting a solo project under Pipe n’ Slippers – absolutely, definitely, positively follow him up on Soundcloud.
[audio:http://www.isodisco.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Turning-Slow.mp3|titles=Soho808 - Turning Slow]BUY | WAX ONLY
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JENNIFER HUDSON | DON’T LOOK DOWN (MARK SEVEN TAPE EDIT)
Are there many cooler cats around than Mark Seven? We think not. His wax collection, crate digging and DJ sets are legendary – as are his edits, productions and ear for doing shizzle leftfield. His choice of, and work on, this edit is the perfect example – take one nice soul pop number that 99% of people you’re DJing too will never have heard, remove the warbly noodling bits, extend the undeniably fantastic bits, and we have one of our most played, most-requested (“Have you got that dooooonnn’t loooook daaoooown one mate?”) and most-loved tracks of 2011.
Decent 192 kpbs download below, courtesy of Mark’s Soundcloud.
[audio:http://www.isodisco.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Dont-Look-Down-Mark-Seven-Tape-Edit.mp3|titles=Jennifer Hudson - Don't Look Down]************************************
JOSEPH TERRUEL | THINKIN’ ABOUT YOU (In The Woods)
This sexy, jazzy, beatdown slow burner by super talented Mexican Joseph Terruel blew us away the very first time we heard it. The second release on Matthew Kyle’s new imprint (see below), this was the standout single on the three tracker. Stick this on, spark it up and everything will seem better already. Gorgeous and sublime from start to finish.
BUY | DIGI ONLY
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MATTHEW KYLE | WITH MY HEART BREAKING (Giant Cuts)
We could have compiled a Top Ten of our favourite 2011 Matthew Kyle releases, such has been his mind-blowing output and crazy workrate. Perhaps better known for his trademark beatdown soul, Matthew spent this year establishing a fantastic roster on his new label In The Woods but thankfully found the time to knock up this phenomenal slice of vocal funk on the excellent Giant Cuts.
And what an apt track to finsh our round up on – as we write, Matthew, one of our very favourite DJs, producers and people, has decided to park his production work in favour of other creative pursuits. Thankfully this will include more ITW greatness, so be sure to keep an eye on that. Best of luck with everything MK, may 2012 bring you as much joy as your work to date has brought us!
[audio:http://www.isodisco.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/01-With-My-Heart-Breakin.mp3|titles=Matthew Kyle - With My Heart Breakin']BUY | DIGI ONLY
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That’s all folks! Hope you enjoyed those selections. If not, and as always, feel free to give us grief or join in our musings and postings over on Facebook or Twitter.
Jan 02, 2012 @ 18:36:46
Hey fellas – props for keeping it slo-mo in Belfast last year and good luck for 2012. Agree with Hollywood Seven for sure, an edit that celebrates (rather than tames) the wild extravagance of the original. Here are ten of my favourite disco tracks from the year:
Maria Minerva – Disko Bliss (100% Silk)
Midnight Magic – Drop Me a Line (Permanent Vacation)
The KDMS – Tonight (Morgan Geist Instrumental) (Gomma)
Xander Harris – F**king Eat Yr Face (Not Not Fun)
Maurice & Charles – Moroder in Milan (Kinfolk)
Toro y Moi – Still Sound (Carpark)
Invisible Conga People – In a Hole (DFA)
Nicolas Jaar – Space is Only Noise if You Can See (Circus Company)
Innergaze – What’s Your Body Doing Tonight? (100% Silk)
Massimiliano Pagliara – In Order of More Depth (Live at Robert Johnson)
Good lookin out.
Jonny (Dirty Talk)
Jan 03, 2012 @ 14:17:32
Nice one Jonny, cheers for the post! Some belters there, love the KDMS and Midnight Magic tracks in particular.
All the best for 2012!