Cosmic Disco

Cosmic Disco – Best Of 2008

Posted on 23. Dec, 2008 by baggy in Articles, Mixes we made, Reviews & Previews

As 2008 draws to a close and we take stock, it’s safe to say that it’s been one heck of a year at Cosmic Disco HQ. We’ve featured some rather special mixes and interviews, flown in some of our favourite bands and DJ’s and made plenty of new friends along the way. There’s going to be no stopping for the festive holiday period either as we are putting in place foundations that will ensure 2009 is going to be our strongest year yet. (More details coming soon…)

2008 has seen the Nu-Balearic/Cosmic scene in the ascendancy within the underground and some rather special music has landed on our turntables. Considering the turbulent state of the music industry at present (Numerous labels, distributors & publishers going bump.) we’d like to commend not only the artists/producers & remixers who put their heart and soul in creating the music we love but all those working behind the scenes ensuring that such amazing records are available for all us DJ’s/music lovers at point of sale – Keep the faith!

In spite of the ever decreasing number of record sales and changing consumer trends, many labels are having to adjust their strategies accordingly. People such as ourselves, who like to buy a physical product we feel more connected to, are staying positive. To prove just what amazing music is available here’s our favourite albums/compilations/12s (Also, re-issues and finds) that we’ve been feeling over of last 12 months.

In celebration we have put together a very special ‘Cosmic Disco Best of 2008′ mix that’s available to download/stream (Found at the bottom of this post). so press play, turn up your media player of choice and find out what’s been hot to trot here at Cosmic Disco:

COSMIC DISCO ALBUMS OF 2008

QUIET VILLAGE – SILENT MOVIE [!K7] Diggers extraordinaire; Joel Martin and Matt Edwards (Radio Slave) followed up a few highly sought after 12s on NYC’s WEWW (Whatever We Want) records with this full length QV album for !K7. The album has the feel of a film score and this was no more apparent than when we managed to catch them performing live at 2008’s Big Chill festival. Whilst the skies darkened and the heavens unleashed a downpour of biblical proportions, the majority of the audience were over at the main stage to watch headliner Roisin Murphy, leaving us free to position ourselves at the front of the stage where we experienced the album as it was meant to be heard. Performed in it’s entirety from start to finish (With no interruptions) whilst accompanied by a collage of stunning visuals, ‘Silent Movie’ is a serious contender for both performance and album of the year.

LOW MOTION DISCO – KEEP IT SLOW [ESKIMO] This album turned out to be the perfect side order to QV and is based mainly around the use of samples. Not a bad thing when the results are this good. Blissed out and downbeat with nods to dub and smacky post disco this is lounge music for an astronaut, listening in his space pod whilst gliding weightless though space. AOC? (Adult Orientated Cosmic) Whatever, just great head music with fantastic cover art to boot.

GLASS CANDY – B/E/A/T/B/O/X [ITALIANS DO IT BETTER] We were lucky enough to catch Johnny Jewel and Ida No perform live in Manchester during July of 2008 (As part of the IDIB UK tour) and were blown away by the combination of dark italo synths and haunting vocals. Music that’s meant to be heard at night there’s something to be said for a group who can cover a masterpiece such as Kraftwerk’s ‘Computer Love’ and totally make it their own. We like to think that Cosmic Disco’s hospitality whilst in our rainy city (Taking them for falaffel, beers and a tour of Cheetham Hill & Moss Side) has influence on future output but when the man behind your label is as committed as Mike Simonetti, as Yazz so eloquantly put it ‘The only way is up’. Label of the year for sure. Is that 2 years running?

HATCHBACK – COLORS OF THE SUN [LO RECORDINGS] Friend of Cosmic Disco – Sam Graw aka Hatchback (With guitar work laid down by Dan Judd aka Sorcerer) creates a modern piece of ambient electronica, fusing the influences of Klaus Schulze, Kraftwerk, Vangelis and Neu! for what can only be described as the sound of West Coast USA Balearica. When you’re intoxicated with sea air and blessed with year round sunshine and the sound of waves lapping against the coastline the effects are sure to embed themselves into your psyche and the inevitability of these blissed out grooves are laid down for all hear.

BECK – MODERN GUILT [XL] Beck has always surfed the waves of electronic and alternate music and his 2008 album sees him team up with super-producer Brian ‘Dangermouse’ Burton where they share their love for psych-rock and folktronica. It proves to be a winning appointment as their shared sensibilities complement each other perfectly. ‘Modern Guilt’ shows Beck at his inventive and eclectic best, delivering material that covers introspection and social commentary with light hearted humor all delivered with smart wordplay. Pop noir, this is an album of chuggy guitars, drum loops and his familiar cut & paste aesthetics. A lean album clocking in at a little over 30mins (It feels just about right) the dark overtones and paranoia leave you intrigued, meaning this is an album you’ll find yourself constantly returning to.

SYCLOPS – I’VE GOT MY EYE ON YOU [DFA] Presented as a ‘group’ album all tracks are written, arranged and produced by the uber-talented Maurice Fulton with the (Fabricated?) assistance of Sven Kortehisto, Hanna Sakari, Jukka Kantonen and Saveri Pyysalo. Either way this is our house album of the year, let’s make no bones about it. Classic Fulton, it’s a leftfield production in every sense of the word. ‘I’ve Got My Eye On You’ is a mind blowing album of dark, dance-floor orientated music full of wonky synths, raw drums and off-kilter arrangements leaving you battered, bruised and feeling dirtier than a sadomaschocist with little option but to submit and let it repeatedly beat you round the ears, again and again and again…Maurice is also one of the best DJ’s in the world so if in Manchester check Mr. Fulton playing at El-Diablos Social Club - Manchester on NYE!

RUBIES – EXPLODE FROM THE CENTER [TELLE] Rubies is the continuation of the much under appreciated San Fran indie-pop group ‘Call & Response’ (Think a modern Mama’s & The Papa’s who’s members also include Dan ‘The Sorcerer’ Judd). Keyboardist Simone Rubi and bass player Terri Loewenthal combine to produce sublime harmonies and a mix of electro-pop disco with an added twist of 70’s California folk-rock. After having a 12 inch release ‘I Feel Electric’ which included a remix by one of 2007’s stand out groups in Studio, the ladies went on to release their debut long player in Europe with Telle Records. Known for their impromptu live performances utilising ad-hoc musicians from whatever town they are located in at the time has resulted in the recruitment of no other than Fiest (Simone Rubi also designed the album artwork for ‘The Reminder’) and Erland Oye (Whitest Boy Alive/Kings of Convenience). Recorded in Scandinavia the album retains a distinctive Californian feel and has been a Cosmic Disco fave since it’s release back in March.

D.LISSVIK – 7 TRX+INTERMISSION [INF000] You may recognise Mr. Dan Lissvik as one half of Sweden’s most Balearic group ‘Studio’. 7Trx+Intermission is Dan’s debut solo outing and it fittingly reclines into solitude as he is removed from his collaborative output. An instrumental album with a 4/4 beatific approach the tracks are simply numbered as opposed to titled. A much sparser offering (i.e. take out Rasmus Haags synths) ‘7Trx’ focuses more on shimmering, groove led guitars and driving bass and drum patterns. As a result the album feels wide with lots of open space giving you time to really ‘hear’ the music. The experience is almost psychedelic with eastern & ethnic elements (Even wildlife snippets) brought into the western agenda resulting in a clear shift in identity. As a solo artist Dan has managed to point himself in a new direction of which we hope to hear in future Studio tracks. Released only a few weeks ago 7Trx+Intermission warrants a strong recommendation within our ‘Best of 2008′ review.

POLLYESTER – DEBUT [ERKRANKUNG] After we found out that DJ Mooner was the husband & manager of Polly Ester (Singer/bassist with Manu on drums and Kaput on effects), the lead in a band whom he described as sounding like ‘The bastard lovechild of The Sparks and ESG’ we just had to get our hands on an advance copy of their album, the aptly titled ‘Debut’. On first listen we just knew we had to bring them to Manchester as part of their October UK tour and they proceeded to blow everybody away with their performance. With tracks ranging from slo-mo disco on ‘You Are Amen’ to the infectious punk funk of ‘Beuys Boys’ this is as good an album we’ve had the pleasure of listening to in the last 12 months. It’s quite simply a killer album from start to finish. POLLYester take the best facets of disco (And all it’s off-shoots), resulting in a streamlined sound leaving you with the essentials – All wheat, no chaff. 10/10.

THE GLIMMERS – THE GLIMMERS ARE GEE GEE FAZZI [ESKIMO] Signed copies were kindly sent to us by a PR agency responsible for the San Miguel ‘Hidden Depths’ tour where the guys performed in Manchester back in July. This is the Glimmers debut album that was distributed exclusively at their concerts & gigs and features tracks born out of jam sessions with Lindstrom & Prins Thomas, Foxylane and Anu Pillai. Those with an ear/eye for detail will also notice that no other than Raj Gupta (Ray Mang) is all over the tracks on production and mixing duties with Richard Sen also lending a helping hand on ‘Time For Action’. The 90’s ravers out there will also spot the fantastic cover of Chimo Bayo’s Spanish favourite ‘Esta Si, Esta No (Asi Mi Gusta a Mi). Nu Disco at it’s finest.

WINDSURF – COASTLINES [INTERNASJONAL] Windsurf is the collaboration of two of our favourite solo artists (Can you guess?) of whom get their respective hands dirty on several of the projects featured in this years ‘Best of’ review! The two artists in question are Hatchback & Sorcerer and what a combination ‘Coastlines’ turns out to be (All the makings of a Balearic super-group on the cards here…) Once again, their distinctive west coast sound is prevalent and finds a perfect home on Prins Thomas Internasjonal label. As with ‘Colors of The Sun’ the focus is strictly on making sure you end up in a fully reclined position as opposed to throwing yourself onto the dance floor. These two guys have an unmistakable talent for painting soundscapes and vistas with their electronic productions. Subtle, sensitive and emotive this will keep you warm through the cold winter months.

WOOLFY Vs PROJECTIONS – ASRTAL PROJECTIONS OF STARLIGHT [PERMANENT VACATION] After an 8 year working relationship Simon ‘Woolfy’ James and D-Hastie saw the release of the highly anticipated long player ‘Astral Projections of Starlight’. After several earlier releases being featured on numerous compilations we had high expectations from the get-go. We need not of worried as it turns out to be one of the albums of the year that keeps disco beards all over the world very happy indeed. Balearock, Psychdisco and weirdo-beardo this is the slow burning chugger of ‘08.

MORGAN GEIST – DOUBLE NIGHT TIME [ENVIRON] Linear notes read: ‘This album goes out to everyone who got me through it’ we’ll take that as a thank you then? Filled with Morgan’s signature cosmic disco sound this is ultimetly an album with a pop sensibility at it’s core. By joining forces with Jerry Greenspan (Junior Boys) Geist assured himself of one of the most compelling voices in pop. After his essential Metro Area release back in 2002, Morgan follows up with a solo project of blue eyed, electronic disco. The album glistens with a wide range of analogue melodies and R&B grooves resulting in a mature collection of modern synth-pop.

DJ CAM – LOST & FOUND [INFLAMABLE] Laurent Daumail aka DJ Cam is one of a growing number of French artists updating Hip-Hop for the chill out/downbeat audience. Cam has already produced the likes of Nas, Cypress Hill, Macy Gray and even Michael Jackson. ‘Lost and Found’ finds DJ Cam in top form experimenting with soulful jazzy rhythms, laid back electronica and smooth downtempo vibes. One for the headzzz.

PROSUMER & MURAT TEMPLI – SERENITY [OSTGUT] With the assistance of Elif Bicers vocal talents ‘Serenity’ shows a renewed focus on the sounds that have influenced the duo. That sound is Chicago house. Sparce and more polished than an infantry soldiers boots on parade, Prosumers soothing vocals stunningly contrast with that of Bicers soprano, not forgetting the purr of the warm basslines that roll underneath. Due to the harking back to it’s roots there’s some that will point out that this album isn’t exactly breaking any barriers but it accomplishes its aim in such style that those new to the genre will be able to take a snapshot of those early jacking warehouse parties and emerse themselves in the feeling last felt in Chicago’s Music Box. ‘It’s a house thing’

BLACK DEVIL DISCO CLUB – EIGHT OH EIGHT [LO RECORDINGS] French library producers Bernard Fevre and Jacky Giordano recently reformed as Black Devil Disco Club (Originally Black Devil) after 2004’s re-release of their 1978 debut album ‘Disco Club’. Featuring their trademark kick drums, basslines and weird noises this album stays just the right side of camp. Word has it that this will be Black Devil’s final ever album so get a taste whilse you can…

LADYHAWKE – LADYHAWKE [MODULAR RECORDINGS] New Zealand born Phillipa ‘Pip’ Brown aka Ladyhawke (Named after the Rutger Hauer film) encompasses vintage pop, electro, rock and song crafting of the highest order to leave you with pangs of nostalgia not last felt since the 1980’s when pop music ruled the world. With a stunning voice and choruses to die for, Ladyhawke produces one the the stand out electro-pop albums of 2008.

HOT CHIP – MADE IN THE DARK [EMI] Their third full length release and follow up to the critically acclaimed ‘The Warning’. Quirky, wonk-pop ‘Made in the dark’ sees the band venture into songs that feature an even heavier use of electronics. Quite avant-garde in places the band never stray too far away from a stunning melody even if you can’t digest every facet of their personalities. For us, this record sees Hot Chip fill in the missing pieces that were evident in their earlier efforts and as a result have had quite a considerable impact on the charts with a finely tuned pop machine that’s chugging nicely into gear. Hot Chip are certainly still quirky, just they’ve managed to turn that quirkyness into an accomplished pop sound all of their own. 2009 could be very big for Hot Chip.

HERCULES & LOVE AFFAIR – HERCULES & LOVE AFFAIR [DFA] Based in New York H&LA are a creative mix of night crawlers that include lesbian singer Kim Ann Foxman, tranny pop princess Nomi and Antony Hegarty, all revolving around DJ/songwriter/producer Andy Turner. If you were going to concoct a disco/dance act surely these are the perfect elements for success? Clearly influenced by disco & house with a dash of Greek mythology thrown in for good measure Danny Wang passed on a couple of demo’s onto DFA who signed them up as a result. Jackin’ house a-la Frankie Knuckles and tops off Disco a-la Diana Ross (Smacked out on quaaludes i.e. her track ‘Mirror Mirror’. Youtube it…) gives you an album that does the almost impossible of being both artistically credible and appealing enough to crossover to a more mainstream dance audience. H&LA/DFA on fire!

MGMT – ORACULAR SPECTACULAR [COLUMBIA] If LCD Soundsystem set the trend in ‘07, 2008 is surely the year where we found groups who were unashamedly wearing their influences on their sleeves. When you find one that does this so blatantly and still manage to create a sound of their own that’s fresh, it’s the sign of a band destined for greatness. Kicking things off in T-Rex/Bowie era 1970’s MGMT have the ability to infuse melancholic pop the likes of Fleetwood Mac and glide effortlessly into the 80’s, flirting with New Wave and even take a bash at experimentation reminiscent of early synth-pop bands. What’s the catch you say? Absolutely nothing. These guys even have the ability to sculpt an insanely catchy tune. Top marks.

TV ON THE RADIO – DEAR SCIENCE [4AD/INTERSCOPE] The follow up to 2006’s ‘Return To Cookie Mountain’ this is much catchier whilst being edgier than it’s predecessor. Antibalas Orchestra provide the brass whilst dual frontmen; Tunde Adibimpe & Kyp Malone shine with their shared responsibilities. TVOTR are primarily an art-rock group making a pop album, even though they discuss death at every opportunity. Big choruses and power chords remind you these guys are a rock outfit who can build tracks that explode with orgasmic joy (You’ll know what we mean when you hear the lyric ‘I’m gonna take you, gonna shake you, gonna make you cum!’). An intelligent group TVOTR capture the disillusioned state of mind that’s sweeping it’s way across the American psyche at present.

COSMIC DISCO SINGLES OF 2008

Single of the year HAS to be M.I.A – Paper Planes (DFA Remix). All three of us have hammered this record and heard it played out almost everywhere and rightly so, it’s quite simply a brilliant remix.

We’ve bought quite a substantial amount of 12’s this year and here’s our choice cuts from 2008 (In no particular order):

• Marni – Marnimix [Issimo Asutria]
• Discodeine – Joystick (Tomboy Remix) [Dirty France]
• Syclops – Where’s Jason K? [DFA]
• Parlour No.1 – Amor [Parlour No.1]
• Dr. Dunks – Love Savage [Whatever We Want]
• POLLYester – You Are Amen [Love In C-Minor]
• Sneak Thief – The Apostate [M Division Recordings]
• Vastkustska Ryggdunkarsallskapet – Rock n Roll Tipsy [Vastkustska Ryggdunkarsallskapet]
• Conrad Schnitzler – Rare Tracks 1979-82 Re-edited [Erkrankung]
• Justice – DVNO [Ed Banger]
• The Diaphanoids – Escape From Martius 42 [Bear Funk]
• Chas Jankel – Get Yourself Together (Hercules & Love Affair Hercbump Mix) [Tirk]
• DFD – DFD Disco Edits [Electric Minds]
• Dolle Jolle – Balearic Incarnation (Todd Terje’s Extra Doll Mix) [Permanent Vacation]
• DJ Mujava – Township Funk [Warp]
• Laughing Light of Plenty – The Rose [Whatever We Want]
• Stax Dempsey – Monet Sky [Years Without Art]
• The Diaphanoids – Mermaids of Lunaris [Bear Funk]
• Loud-E – Robolove [Ambassador’s Reception]
• Principles of Geometrey – A Mountain For President [Tigersushi]
• Hedford Vachal – Alan Vs Gary [Tirk]
• They Came From The Stars I Saw Them – Signals (Emperor Machine Dub) [Thisisnotanexit]

COSMIC DISCO COMPILATIONS/REISSUES OF 2008

2008 has seen the welcome return of ‘King of The Compilations’ Strut (Under the helpful guise of !K7) with their literally essential ‘Essential Italo-Disco Classics’ and ‘Funky Nassau – Compass Point’ releases that we can gladly say still come complete with linear notes and imagery so comprehensive we are indebted to them for their efforts and willingness to share the knowledge. Paul ‘Mudd’ Murphy’s Claremont 56 released a great compilation with the first in the ‘Original’ series showcasing Mancunian heroes/collectors/DJ’s – Richard ‘Moonboots’ Bithell and ‘Balearic’ Mike Smith. The concept of this series is to give mere mortals such as ourselves an unprecedented peek into the much sought-after record collections of the unsung heroes of the music world. Rumour has it that Mark Seven has been lined up for the next in the series. Please let this be true! If this wasn’t enough there’s been great ‘Best of’ albums from the likes of Allez Allez & Liquid Liquid and the reissued Medium Medium album gives you a second chance to pick up hard to find music previously only available if you were a hedge fund manager or lottery winner.

• Various – Danielle Baldelli – Cosmic, The Original [Mediane]
• Various – Originals – Moonboots & Balearic Mike [Claremont 56]
• Various – Funky Nassau – The Compass Point Story 1980-86 [Strut]
• Various – Notwave [Rong]
• Various – Space Oddities – A Compilation of Rare European Library Grooves From 1975-84 [Permanent Vacation]
• Various – Computer Incarnations For World Peace II [Sonar Kollectiv]
• Various – Methods of Dance [EMI]
• Allez Allez – The Best of Allez Allez [Eskimo]
• Various – Disco Italia – Essential Italo Disco Classics 1977-1985 [Strut]
• Various – Nobody Knows Anything [DFA]
• SK200 Compiled by Jazzanova [Sonar Kollectiv]
• Justice – A Cross The Universe [Ed Banger]
• Liquid Liquid – Slip In & Out Of Phenomenon [Domino]
• Medium Medium – Hungry So Angry [Cherry Red]

COSMIC DISCO FINDS OF 2008

As much as we love new music it’s probably the sheer joy of finding a ripe second hand store just waiting to be raided or stumbling across a much wanted track stuck at the back of a flimsy cardboard box on a wet Sunday mornings car boot that gives us the motivation to keep doing what were doing and continue with our never-ending quest to find stunning music we’ve yet to hear. Here’s the standout retrospective albums we’ve found this year.

COSMIC DISCO BEST OF 2008 MIX

Finally, a very special Cosmic Disco end of year mix featuring tracks from some of the aforementioned albums & singles. Bring on 2009!

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