To mark the end of the year, we thought it would be worth asking Strut’s Quinton Scott to pull out a few of the albums that have been on repeat at the label HQ during 2014. Hope you enjoy this round-up of archive African gems, soul stompers, DIY electronics and more.
For more updates on our favorite music, make sure to follow our Original World Funk and Death Disco & Jacking House Spotify playlists.
Big thanks to everyone who has supported the label this year and wishing everyone a really happy and peaceful Christmas.
10 COMPILATIONS / REISSUES
V/A – Haiti Direct (Strut)
Hugo Mendez collects together stunning set of compass and twoubadou rarities.
Nana Love – Disco Documentary: Full of Funk (BBE)
Essential oddball West African disco set.
Grace Jones – Nightclubbing (Deluxe Edition) (Island)
Well curated deluxe version of classic album with massive previously unreleased cover of ‘Me! I Disconnect From You.’
Les Ambassadeurs – Les Ambassadeurs De Motel De Bamaco (Sterns)
‘70s Malian legends celebrated in a superb Stern’s deluxe package.
V/A – The Tabu Records Box Set (Tabu)
Early Jam & Lewis slick soul genius from Brainstorm, SOS Band and more.
K. Leimer – A Period of Review (Rvng Intl)
Superb previously unreleased ambient pieces from US artist Kerry Leimer.
Cybotron – Enter (Fantasy)
Juan Atkins and Richard Davis with their seminal ‘human life meets technology’ opus from ‘83.
V/A – Suburban Base Records: The History Of Hardcore, Jungle, Drum & Bass 1991-1997 (New State)
Always a favourite rave label during the original days. Brilliant, raw, DIY dancefloor bombs and long overdue comp.
V/A – Northern Soul: The Film Soundtrack (Harmless)
Fantastic collection of gems soundtracking Elaine Constantine’s film. Great for connoisseurs and newcomers alike.
V/A – Science Fiction Park Bundesrepublik (Finders Keepers)
Dark and strange DIY electronics from ‘80s West Germany.
10 New Albums
Todd Terje – It’s Album Time (Olsen)
The master Terje flexes his production guns with a great mix of disco, exotica and soul on his full length debut.
Meridian Brothers – Salvadora Robot (Soundway)
Surreal soundscapes from Colombia. Future music genius.
Andy Stott – Faith In Strangers (Modern Love)
Brilliantly bleak and blown out electro / drone soundscapes.
Fumaca Preta – Fumaca Preta (Soundway)
Primal and bonkers album mixing Caribbean and Brazilian rhythms with properly wigged out psychedelics.
Caribou – Our Love (Merge)
Expertly crafted lush synth-meets-falsetto set.
Nils Frahm – Spaces (Erased Tapes)
Completely obsessed with Frahm’s music and ‘Spaces’ is minimal, spiritual majesty from start to finish.
Clap! Clap! – Tayi Bebba (Black Acre)
Futuristic Afro sketches touching on electro, juke and hip hop.
Fhlostom Paradigm – The Phoenix (Hyperdub)
Kept going back to this album in 2014. Quality atmospheric soundtracky house-scapes. Fantastic production.
Orlando Julius with The Heliocentrics – Jaiyede Afro (Strut)
Massive honour to work with the Afro-soul legend this year. New album found him on top form, revisiting compositions from his youth.
Freddie Gibbs & Madlib – Piñata (Madlib Invasion)
Forward thinking beats and hard-knock raps. Madlib still untouchable.
