Monday 22 February 2016

Cream Of The Crop - Blink And They're Gone Vinyl Chart


The number 1 slot this time around goes to a Japanese 10" that was pressed in 2012. Described on Discogs as 'A stunning disco break re-edit by Japan's finest' and with Juno listing the label as 11154 and earlier releases on the Tide label being attributed to DJ XXXL, all evidence suggests this is likely to be the work of DJ Muro.

 At number 2 Mike Huckaby is back with another gem on his Synth label. My current favourite is 'Let The Dancer Do His Thing' which reminds me of his 'Analog, Tapes & Things' killer from the NDATL Special Edition 2014 EP. There is also another more expensive 12" limited edition hand numbered version that comes with a CD.

REKchampa aka Stefan Ringer takes up the 3rd and 4th spots with an LP and 12" on Peoples Potential Limited. The 6 track Dream Sequence LP is a limited test pressing, whilst the 2 track Fried Chicken Skin 12" features Personal Trainer. REKchampa takes influences from many styles to deliver some of the freshest electronic music I've heard so far this year. Definitely one for fans of Moodhut, Max Graef, Church and Rhythm Section International.

In at number 5 is the forthcoming Mall Grab - Sun Ra EP on Church. Produced in Melbourne, the whole EP has the deep jazzy kind of vibe that I love and for me sits somewhere between deep house and decent bass music. My personal favourite is the piano led 'Down', but everything from the Burial-esque 'French Girls' to the Alicia Keys-sampling 'Cant' works for me.

And that's just the Top 5. Follow the link below to listen to this month's Top 30 picks.

http://www.juno.co.uk/charts/dj/536543-Paul_Thornton_itch_Dig_Deep/1789547-Chart/

Friday 5 February 2016

Cream Of The Crop - All Killers No Fillers Vinyl Chart


First chart of the year and I can honestly say every one of these records is a gem. Boogie Funk Techno Soul Ethiopian Disco Broken House type thing.

This times number 1 spot goes to the North West's top funk and soul outfit, Templebys. The 7" comes as a double A Side and includes the soul shaker that is 'Good Fight' and the uptempo funk workout 'Funkaphrenic'. Already getting support by the likes of Craig Charles who featured it on his BBC 6 Music radio show in his 'What's Big' in 2016 tips list.

At number 2 we have a reissue of Brenda Harris' out and out disco dancefloor bomb from 1978, 'Making Love Will Keep You Fit'. An 11 and a half minute epic of funk licks, throbbing bass and wonderful horns that is available in both black and blue vinyl.

Number 3 goes to Connie Cases's Miami funk chugger 'Get Down'. Originally released in 1982, the remastered Electro Disco vibe fits in perfectly with the newer stuff I play, whilst 'Flowing Inside' on the flip has a nice Balearic vibe.

Apron Records new signing Shamos snaps up the number 4 slot. It's the deep and twisted groove of 'Training Day' that is doing it most for me, but also check 'Ode To Lynch' and the acid based 'Cranbourne Road' for another couple of winners.

The Melbourne-based Chicagoan Casey Rice aka Designer and Four Tet team up to steal 5th with the edgy arpeggio led 'Mothers' keeping it fresh for the slo-mo deep house and techno crew - this is where experimental electronica meets clubland. Meanwhile B Side track 'Dark' does what it says on the tin whilst piling on the funk to deliver a breakbeat laiden bass track that is as fresh as they come.

And that's just the Top 5. Follow the link below to listen to this month's Top 30 picks.

http://www.juno.co.uk/charts/dj/536543-Paul_Thornton_itch_Dig_Deep/1775372-Chart/