Urban75 Album of the Year 2021

[hitmouse]

I've sent a list of the 20 albums that I've played the hell out of this year, because that's what really counts.

While we wait for the results here's a list of 10 compilation albums I've enjoyed this year, which I haven't voted for because I know that makes belboid sad:

Nancy Sinatra ‎– Start Walkin' 1965-1976 - there's loads of Nancy Sinatra compilations, but if you haven't got any Nancy in your life, this is the one. I love Nancy.

Ooh, only one I know is the best of Nancy and Lee, is there much overlap with that?

 

[Spandex]

Ooh, only one I know is the best of Nancy and Lee, is there much overlap with that?

Yeah, quite a bit of overlap - Summer Wine, Sand, Some Velvet Morning are all present and correct. But there's people in this world who only know her for These Boots are Made for Walking and they're missing out on how awesome she is, so they should go and buy, borrow or steal this now.

 

[Fez909]

I've sent a list of the 20 albums that I've played the hell out of this year, because that's what really counts.

While we wait for the results here's a list of 10 compilation albums I've enjoyed this year, which I haven't voted for because I know that makes belboid sad:

Disco75 - does the world really need another disco compilation? On the evidence of this 3CD deep dive into disco tracks from 1975, which covers well known classics and obscurities I've never heard of, the answer is a resounding YES!

Curses presents Next Wave Acid Punx - a CD of 80s alt-dancefloor classics - EBM, New Beat, Yello and Colourbox; a CD of recent dance tracks inspired by that sound; and (what makes this set so amazing) a CD of all brand new tracks in the same style. I was originally going to just download any tracks I wanted, but then I found I wanted all of it, so I bought the thing.

AKO150 presents Defender - an album of new jungle tracks that is as good as any jungle compilation that's ever been released. Thanks for bring this to my attention ska invita - I've had a bit of a jungle revival this year thanks to this.

It's A Good Good Feeling: The Latin Soul Of Fania Records - all the latin soul singles that Fania Records released between 1967 and 1975. The box set is on my Christmas list. Hope I've been good enough for Santa this year.

Italians Do It Better - an album of Madonna covers from artists on the IDIB label. Some are quite faithful, others are unrecognisable. All are worth hearing.

Nancy Sinatra ‎– Start Walkin' 1965-1976 - there's loads of Nancy Sinatra compilations, but if you haven't got any Nancy in your life, this is the one. I love Nancy.

Driving Blind Vol 2 -all killer no filler album of house/electro/breakbeat/trance/acid/techno from French label les Yeux Orange.

Foundations (Deewee 200) - electro disco and synthpop from Soulwax's latest label.

DJ Athome presents Spaced Out! - remember the early 90s when crusty festival acts started making ambient techno? Here's a compilation of the stuff. I wasn't much of a fan at the time, preferring banging dance tunes, but I quite like this comp. Trigger Warning: contains Ozric Tentacles.

Now Thing 2 - follow up to 2001's showcase of instrumental dancehall tunes. Worth the wait.

Some more comps:

Awesome, don't know anything about music from this region, so all new to me

Various - Habibi Funk - An Eclectic Selection Of Music From The Arab World, Part 2

Explore songs, recommendations, and other album details for Habibi Funk - An Eclectic Selection Of Music From The Arab World, Part 2 by Various. Compare different versions and buy them all on Discogs.

www.discogs.com

Techno essentials, and a few new remixes/tunes

Various - Tresor 30

Explore songs, recommendations, and other album details for Tresor 30 by Various. Compare different versions and buy them all on Discogs.

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Worth it for the Depeche Mode alone

Arthur Baker / Shep Pettibone - Dance Masters: Shep Pettibone (The Classic Master-Mixes)

Explore songs, recommendations, and other album details for Dance Masters: Shep Pettibone (The Classic Master-Mixes) by Arthur Baker / Shep Pettibone. Compare different versions and buy them all on Discogs.

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Guts' comps are all worth checking out

Guts - Straight From The Decks 2

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New Detroit techno and house

Various - Unity Vol. 1

View credits, reviews, tracks and shop for the 2021 Vinyl release of "Unity Vol. 1" on Discogs.

www.discogs.com

Various - Unity Vol. 2

Explore songs, recommendations, and other album details for Unity Vol. 2 by Various. Compare different versions and buy them all on Discogs.

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DJ Harvey - nuff said?

DJ Harvey - Mercury Rising (Volumen Tres)

Explore songs, recommendations, and other album details for Mercury Rising (Volumen Tres) by DJ Harvey. Compare different versions and buy them all on Discogs.

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I've not actually listened to this one yet, but if it's anything like Divine Disco, it should be ace.

Greg Belson - Divine Funk (Rare American Gospel Funk And Soul)

Explore songs, recommendations, and other album details for Divine Funk (Rare American Gospel Funk And Soul) by Greg Belson. Compare different versions and buy them all on Discogs.

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Techno. From/played in Berlin. It's got good stuff on.

Various - No Photos On The Dancefloor! Berlin Techno 1992-Today

Explore songs, recommendations, and other album details for No Photos On The Dancefloor! Berlin Techno 1992-Today by Various. Compare different versions and buy them all on Discogs.

www.discogs.com

 

[Spandex]

Awesome, don't know anything about music from this region, so all new to me

Various - Habibi Funk - An Eclectic Selection Of Music From The Arab World, Part 2

Explore songs, recommendations, and other album details for Habibi Funk - An Eclectic Selection Of Music From The Arab World, Part 2 by Various. Compare different versions and buy them all on Discogs.

www.discogs.com

That Habibi Funk comp is brilliant

 

[hitmouse]

Yeah, quite a bit of overlap - Summer Wine, Sand, Some Velvet Morning are all present and correct. But there's people in this world who only know her for These Boots are Made for Walking and they're missing out on how awesome she is, so they should go and buy, borrow or steal this now.

God there's a lot of great Lee & Nancy songs. Did You Ever, Jackson, I've Been Down So Long... the hot new sound of 2021 right there.

 

[stavros]

My votes are into Belboid. It'll be interesting to see if any of my choices feature in the final rankings.

 

[belboid]

It is all as eclectic as fuck at the moment. having 'black' in your name seems to be key thus far

 

[billy_bob]

Shitting bollocks! I had my list all neat and ready for this thread to open a couple of weeks ago, and now I try to find it, inevitably, it's vanished

Back to the drawing board

 

[stavros]

It is all as eclectic as fuck at the moment. having 'black' in your name seems to be key thus far

I only had three of my top fifteen in that category.

 

[May Kasahara]

Shitting bollocks! I had my list all neat and ready for this thread to open a couple of weeks ago, and now I try to find it, inevitably, it's vanished

Back to the drawing board

If it's any consolation, Shitting Bollocks are a shoo in for top 3 this year.

 

[Dr. Furface]

It is all as eclectic as fuck at the moment. having 'black' in your name seems to be key thus far

But not actually being black, I suppose

 

[billy_bob]

If it's any consolation, Shitting Bollocks are a shoo in for top 3 this year.

I love a band who choose their name in full knowledge that they make such an unholy racket that they'll never have to worry about whether Zoe Ball will be allowed to say it on Radio 2 anyway. Similar 'fuck it anyway' vibe that you get from those blokes who have swear words tattooed on a visible part of their face or neck .

 

[belboid]

But not actually being black, I suppose

Good god, what do you think this is, the mercury prize?

 

[The39thStep]

I like Hania Rani and this years album with Dobrawa Czocher is good contemporary classical listening

​

 

[The39thStep]

The latest incarnation GusGus released Mobile Home. Bit uneven but some good tracks

 

[AverageJoe]

My list is in.

I knew my top three straight away but then when I listened to some of the lists of the year I found a few massive curveball that I'd never heard of and probably wouldn't listen to normally. And they went straight in.

Architects
Japanese breakfast
Deafhaven
Arlo Parks

 

[Dr. Furface]

Good god, what do you think this is, the mercury prize?

Nah, no way we could afford all the blow

 

[belboid]

Still time to get those votes in. Please do, or they'll be too many ties, and I hate that.

 

[MBV]

Thanks for reminder. Thought it was Sunday deadline for some reason.

 

[Knotted]

Well submitted mine. Absolute nightmare of a year. Nothing I absolutely love but I can't find anything that's anything less than great.

 

[stavros]

I can't find anything that's anything less than great.

Really? I can say with some confidence, without having heard it, that the recent Coldplay album was shite.

 

[Knotted]

Really? I can say with some confidence, without having heard it, that the recent Coldplay album was shite.

New releases by old bands don't count they're from the past and expected to be shite. Listening to Music of the Spheres now though. It's hooky and electronic so far. Not really my cup of tea, I don't really like that it's so trying hard to be catchy. But it's a 90's pop band what do you expect? And it's pretty good for what it is - some decent and tasteful electronic swirlings. I've never really understood the hatred of Coldplay other than that Chris Martin is a bit annoying.

I'll try the Manic's release next, the little I heard from it suggests it's a genuine stinker.

Edit: The Ultra Vivid Lament is harmless fluff. The lyrics don't fit well with the songs but I'm not going to beat up on the Manic's because that would be like kicking an old dependable dog. TBH not half as bad as I was expecting. Not as good as Coldplay though.

 

[clandestino]

Dammit, totally missed this.

Still, I trust you've all voted for the Ducks Ltd album, so there's nothing to worry about right?



Little Simz for the win, I reckon. Maybe there were a few votes for the Haiku Salut album too? It is a wonder.

 

[clandestino]

Let me know if there's still time for a list belboid

 

[belboid]

Let me know if there's still time for a list belboid

there is!

I wonder what you'll put at number one?

 

[mwgdrwg]

Is there still time belboid ? Some (happy) things in my life mean that I haven't had the chance to compile a list yet...doing it now.

 

[clandestino]

there is!

I wonder what you'll put at number one?

Haha!

 

[belboid]

Just one more sleep until the most exciting event of the year!

My earlier comment re eclecticism is still just as valid now I have tallied and googled and added all the bits and bats.

Lunchtime tomorrow seems the likely drop time.

 

[belboid]

The wait is (almost) over

Urban75 Album of the Year - The Results

Put the kettle on, settle yourself down, hell, have a small egg nog. Why not, it’s Christmas! And only five minutes to the final countdown for the biggest event of the year!

www.urban75.net