We asked some of the best independent record stores in the UK to tell us about their favourite ten releases of the year; be it what's sold well in store, what the staff have loved listening to, or both. Today's list of the top releases in 2013 comes from Well Rounded Vinyl Vendors. Although the Well Rounded label is wrapping up for the forseeable future at the end of 2013, the shop lives on, tucked away in Brighton's lanes. For the records, you'll just have to pop in-store.
Bob Moses - 'Far from The Tree' EP [Scissor & Thread]I'm just getting to know this label from NYC. I would tentatively say they have an 'indie' aesthetic; with vocals and well-crafted songwriting, directed through loosely deep house-style creations. A seductive listen throughout, but my personal favourite is "All I Want". The vocal melodies really enhance the melancholy music. Bit of a shoegazer/contemplator this one.Another one where I've barely got past the A1 track. It's a really minimal almost dubby house tune with guest vocalist Rock Star delivering these uplifting lyrics ("Put your hands in the air and let 'em stay there, it's time to groove") which seem almost completely at odds with the music and yet it works really well.C.O.N.E. - 'Doppa' EP (Loungin')This is a mad four track EP, one side kind of deep house and the other kind of UK funky/ grime type stuff but every track is a totally twisted take on each style. Loads of big whomping bass and bendy chords and pads. Solid.Onoe Caponoe - 'Djrum vs Ep' (2nd Drop)Unique 10'er that stands out. One side is a developing beat that floats out of a clever grime influenced start into something more refined, whilst a real MC lets rip. The flip is a gorgeous piano jam, it unravels from a murky start into a deep, deep house track with varied and interesting sound choices. Brilliant record.
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Colluctor - 'Instead (Emanative Remix)' [On The Corner]I guess this is a form of jazz-house, but it makes me imagine Moodymann's MPC jamming with some Ethiopian Jazz musicians. Electronic and organic, with live performed and programmed parts all sitting together wonderfully. And i'd dance to it.MIDLAND - 'Drumtrak' [Graded] This is what I'm after from modern house-related tackle. Keeps the production values in-sync with the current demands of our dancefloors whilst pushing some more twisted musical flavas than most would appear to dare.Joey Anderson - 'Above The Cherry Moon (Vakula Remix)' [Avenue 66]We discovered Joey's unusual techno at the start of the year and are pleased to say his music is picking up a fair bit of interest in our store. Vakula we have loved for time and the results of his remix are so beautifully celestial and lysergically uplifting - it's a heady concoction for techno romantics.El Prevost – Ash EP [Third Ear Recordings]This came out fairly early in the year and I remember Donga putting it on in the shop and we both just instantly got into the A1 track 'Allez Ally'. It has a prominent and strange vocal but plenty of the other elements serve to give it a really unusual quirky house vibe. Tbh I've barely checked the other three tracks which is terrible but that one is a total winner and I've played it in several DJ sets this year.Big Strick – 'Groove' (7 Days Ent.)
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Federsen - 'Point Reyes' / '50 Hz' (Interval) Sparse, sombre but sick dub techno. The A side 'Point Reyes' is a rolling dubbed out number, a warm and embracing listen on the dance floor and at home. The B features '50 Hz' a track with serious clout on the bottom end and a scrabbly drum pattern that keeps you coming back for another listen. A savvy, spaced out remix from Isodyne rounds things off.Archie Pelago - 'Subway Gothic' / 'Ladymarkers' (Well Rounded Individuals)I can choose this one as I wasn't part of the WR set upwhen this jazzy, bassy, crazy record was released. 'Ladymarkers' is a bubbly tune that could be used as an anti-depressant. Whereas 'Subway Gothic' is bat shit crazy, a bright optimistic opening gets brushed aside by dark rising, live, strings that then ominously stop & drop into a frenzy, before somehow peace is restored to close. Large.