Best Singles of 2008

On a Wednesday in December

Right down to the wire for our second best of 2008 post. This list of original music is a little longer than our best of remixes run down. There were just too many to widdle it down!

As with the previous list, all of these tunes are A1 quality bad ass shit and should be purchased. Bitrates have been dropped down to a level which comes across as decent for casual listening but will sound like complete ass when being played out. If you’re a DJ, please use the buy links provided and support these artists. They are the cream of the crop after all!

Without further adieu, the best original singles of 2008 (in no particular order).

 

• Jan Driver - Rat Alert

Lurking somewhere between face melting electro, uk funky and Berlin style house, Jan Driver hits the mark spot-on with this Made To Play heater. We posted this earlier in the year and generated some interesting comments. Maybe not everyone’s cup of tea but it stood out for us no question. [buy]

Jan Driver - Rat Alert

 

• Riva Starr - War Drums

With releases coming out almost every other week for twelve months straight, Riva Starr really did have an impressive year. Out of the mountains of music released this year, Riva’s Kindisch 12” really stuck out. The discombobulated rhythmic voodoo percussion creates so much tension and mood you literally feel like you’re in some Port-au-Prince back alley with Baron Samedi on your ass. [buy]

Riva Starr - War Drums

 

• Joker - Snake Eater

With all the focus on Dubstep’s future sound, there’s some likelihood that the genre can fall into a similar trap that Drum and Bass did, with people anally focusing on perceived originality over effectiveness. Thanks to Joker for injecting a bit of reality into things. Sometimes, all it takes is a big boy 808 and a killer hook to get the job done. [buy]

Joker - Snake Eater

 

• J. Phlip - Rumble Rumble

Not much of a surprise that we’d chart more Dirty Bird music. J. Phlip’s Rumble Rumble had the community a buzz since videos of Claude VonStroke’s live set at WMC started popping up online last spring. Massive subs and pop-n-click percussion here for the win. Please note, this was released as single song only (no b side). We’ve done some scissor work with the clip to ensure the label gets theirs. [buy]

J. Phlip - Rumble Rumble

 

• Christian Martin - Elephant Fight

This one really stood out for us. I know it’s labeled as house, the artist makes house and it’s played with other house music. But seriously, is this REALLY House? I’m convinced the Martin’s are so close to creating some new spin off genre with this sound. [buy]

Christian Martin - Elephant Fight

 

• Seth Troxler & Patrick Russell - Love Spray

The man of much hype in 2008 blessed us with the disjointed techno banger on the massively successful Circus Company imprint. Much like CVS’s rework of War Paint in our best of remixes list, this one takes a few listens to really understand how absolutely cool it really is. [buy]

Seth Troxler & Patrick Russell - Love Spray

 

• Hercules & Love Affair - You Belong

Hard to make a best of list without including anything form Hercules & Love Affair. Although many a lists are championing Blind and its remixes, we’ve opted for the original of You Belong. This one was responsible for a number of sing-a-longs on summer road trips this year. Call me sentimental but looking back at 2008, I’ll defiantly be remembering this one for years to come. [buy]

Hercules & Love Affair - You Belong

 

• The Juan Maclean - Happy House

Another official anthem for road trips, cottages and bon fires. Leave it to DFA to provide the soundtrack for my summer. You brought me home to this happy house, you’re the reason for the width of my smile… [buy]

The Juan Maclean - Happy House

 

• The Martin Brothers - Rocket Surgery

Yet another Dirty Bird listing. We made some bold claims about this Martin Brothers EP back in July and still stand by every word of it. Without a doubt, one of our favorite releases of the year by some of the most forward thinking artists in dance music today. [buy]

The Martin Brothers - Rocket Surgery

 

• Zomby  - Strange Fruit

A phenomenal year for Zomby wouldn’t you agree? The arp laden Strange Fruit shows us how diverse this artist really is. Up until the Ramp release, Zomby was traditionally known as a Dubstep artist (spliff dub anyone?). Strange Fruit showed the world the many layers to the mysterious producer only to be reinforced with the critically acclaimed Where were U in 92 LP. [buy]

Zomby - Strange Fruit

 

• D1  - Ongie Bongie

Wow do I love Tempa. Not only are they more or less responsible for Dubstep music’s massive world wide success, but they continuously up the ante with border defying releases. Nothing can be further from the truth with D1’s Ongie Bongie. Is it Dubstep? Is it Funky? Whatever it is, it’s incredible. [buy]

D1 - Ongie Bongie

 

• Math Head X Passions  - Turn The Music Up

The dread bass that destroyed dancefloors for the better part of 2008. Looking back on the year, this one really needs to be highlighted as both original and devastating on the crowd. I must have been asked at least three times per show what “the song with the big dread bass and rave pianos” was before this was released. Such a huge tune. [buy]

Math Head X Passions - Turn The Music Up

 

• Headhunter  - In Motion

More Tempa music here. Sadly, we ran out of time to post our “best albums” and “best artwork” lists before years end but let it be known, Headhunter’s releases on Tempa trumped them all. Nomad summarized the love affair between Dubstep and Techno with class and the artwork on his Initiate EP gave anyone familiar with the artists BMX background a chuckle. [buy]

Headhunter - In Motion

 

• Kode9 Vs. LD  - 2 Bad

As Kode9 began to explore funky house with his Frankie Solaar moniker, it was only a matter of time before releases on Hyperdub reflected this sound as well. Although in true Hyperdub form, 2 bad is a fusion of sounds with an end result being completely unique. [buy]

Kode9 Vs. LD - 2 Bad

 

• Mujava - Township Funk

Biggest tune of the year? It’s hard to imagine there’s anyone that hasn’t heard Township Funk or any of it’s remix spawn over the last year. When a tune gets this big, it must be built on a foundation of quality. Nothing is further from the truth with Mujava’s run away anthem. [buy]

Mujava - Township Funk

 

• Blackdown & Dusk - Focus

My personal favorite tune this year. Tucked away as the last song on Blackdown and Dusk’s Margins Music LP, this may be off the radar of a few people out there. Whatever you do, do not sleep on this! I must have listened to this five hundred times over since it’s been released. [buy]

Blackdown & Dusk - Focus

 

• Appleblim & Peverelist - Circling

Skull Disco, Skull Disco, Skull Disco, Skull Disco, Skull Disco, Skull Disco, Skull Disco, Skull Disco, Skull Disco, Skull Disco, Skull Disco, Skull Disco, Skull Disco, Skull Disco, Skull Disco, Skull Disco, Skull Disco, Skull Disco, Skull Disco, Skull Disco…. Nuff said. [buy]

Appleblim & Peverelist - Circling

 

• Martyn - Vancouver

With only a handful of releases, Martyn showed us why he’s the man to watch this year. That’s quality you just can’t fuck with. Pulsating bass, funky shakers, dub delays and haunting vocals. This one has it all. [buy]

Martyn - Vancouver

 

• Loco Dice - M Train To Brooklyn

It’s surprisingly difficult to pick one single song form Loco Dice’s debut LP 7 Dunham Place to include here. The release as a whole is jam packed with gems. M Train To Brooklyn stood out for us for many of the same reasons anything off Burials LP’s would. As a musical interpretation of an artist’s physical surroundings, it’s really quite amazing. [buy]

Loco Dice - M Train To Brooklyn

 

• Robert Dietz - Shunsower

Another personal favorite. Depending on what’s in your iTunes most played list, this may have been off radar for some. Class act deep house with a minimalist touch. Not sure what else sums up this year better to be honest. [buy]

Robert Dietz - Shunsower