Top 10 Albums of 2024 – DJ Swingsett

A true joy to compile a list of my 10 of my fave releases (and some Honorable Mentions beyond that!). Not in any absolute order here, but I must say that Sticky Dub’s mini album on Eglo Records UK is probably one of my top of the year for radio air play and at dances, events and clubs. Such an original blend of Jazz, Dub, Breaks, Bruk/Broken Beat, House, and Hip Hop! And with dynamic lyrics and a message in the Music.

My list for the year includes plenty of Soulful House and Dance from Brooklyn based duo “musclecars”, Detroit’s own Brian Kage, and a bit of House-tempo on the eclectic, genre-bending album from London’s Galliano, a band that started in 1989/1990 and released this beauty after decades of missing them since they were foundational influence on “Acid Jazz”, with dozens of releases on Gilles Peterson’s former Talkin’ Loud label, now on his completely indie label, Brownswood! The “Halfway Somewhere” album is a magical mix of Soul, Jazz-Funk, and Dubwise/Roots elements, including even a couple songs sounding (in the best sense) similar to Talking Heads.

I love soulful, jazzy, melodic Jungle aka Drum & Bass as a genre, and “Liquid” as a sub-genre. Wales’ own High Contrast is one of the pioneers and stalwarts of this groove driven yet highly charged Dance Music. His Restoration LP of this year is in a masterpiece!

I’ve included some pure Soul, Hip Hop and Leftfield Soul here as well. Marc Mac’s VISIONEERS LP is sublime Hip Hop Jazz of the highest order, including a few covers versions/re-makes, such as Pete Rock’s “T.R.O.Y” (one of the greatest Hip Hop songs ever made), sampled from Soul Jazz Saxaphonist/Composer Tom Scott’s dusty gem “Today” from way back in the day. Speaking of Pete Rock, his album with Common “The Auditorium Vol. 1” is already a certified 100% classic. The best of what Hip Hop can still be!

Irish-Australian Vocalist and Producer Erin Buku’s self-titled LP is well written, heartfelt, full of conscious lyrics of Soul with plenty of Jazz, Hip Hop and Funk influences. It’s a breathe of fresh air and upliftment from Inner Tribe Records, a label she and her Producer Hubby, Inkswel, own and operate out of Adelaide.
Next up is UK born and Australia based Steve Spacek aka Spacek. He’s one of the most forward thinking and “way ahead of the curve” modern electronic/beats Producers of my lifetime. Music which is haunting, soulful, futuristic, lushly layered Soul and Hip Hop is all over his mind-blowing “Spaceshift” LP, released on his new label, SPA Records.

Rounding out my list is First Word Records’ “Love & Purpose” compilation of Various Artists, which connects and features generational Soul/R^&B Artists including Neo-Soul/Street Soul from the 80’s/90’s pioneers & icons: Omar, 52nd Street, and Robyn, paired with newer vibes of Lovers Rock from Children of Zeus, heavenly Soul Jazz from Gareth Donkin, and new takes on throwback styled Boogie of Lynda Dawn. This compilation LP should bring real joy to anyone who digs Soul Music.

*** Honorable Mentions. It’s very tough to choose only 10 LP’s. lol So, here’s more: Gavin Hardkiss “Inheritance EP 1 & 2” (Hardkiss Music); – Steve Cobby “F**k No* (Self-released); – DJ Zinc “Bass Love” (Bingo Beats); – Quiet Dawn “Celebrate” (First Word); – Nookie presents Binary State “InterFEARence” (Metalheadz)