Little White Earbuds January Charts


Chart courtesy of The Economist.

01. Intrusion, The Seduction of Silence
[echospace [detroit]] (buy)

Dub reggae has long been the lens through which Stephen Hitchell (Soultek, cv313, Echospace) has interpreted techno music, and with the Intrusion project those influences step to the forefront of his production style. His gorgeous debut album, The Seduction of Silence, invites listeners to sway and even dance to an inviting 80 minute meditation on dub sonorities and rhythms. Its upstroked chords, rippling hand percussion, roving bass lines and exceptional vocals (provided by living legend, Paul St. Hilaire) are meticulously teased and stretched sans sequencer, conveying a very human warmth often suppressed in dub techno records. The Seduction of Silence is a fitting follow up to chilly ambience of The Coldest Season, as well as a much needed opportunity to thaw out in the dead of winter.

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02. D’Julz, “Fleurette” (tobias. remix) [Circus Company] (buy)
Is there any stopping Tobias Freund’s streak of flawless originals and remixes? If his stunning take on “Fleurette” is any indication, there’s no end in sight. His most cheerful production in recent memory is jammed pack with aural sweets: a flattened, seesawing piano riff, snappy percussion of all timbres, gasping vocals, and rolling bass lines with articulated blurts of 808 bass. Absolutely dwarfing D’Julz simplistic original, Tobias’ remix feels effortless, dynamic and unlike anything else. If he has as good a year in 2009 as in 2008, we’re all in for a slew of top notch tunes.

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03. Ben Klock, “Subzero” [Ostgut Tonträger] (buy)
As a prelude to Ben Klock’s forthcoming album, One, “Before One” is a smashing success, with four quality cuts all sure to ratchet up excitement for the debut full length. It’s difficult to choose a favorite from the three EP-exclusive tracks, but the subdued grace of “Subzero” wins by a nose. Klock crafts an enchanting progression and its harmonic twin to slide just beneath the skin, their path cleared by a flurry of brushed hi-hats, static crackle and distant, industrialized claps. And just when they threaten to penetrate and drench dancers in melody, scythe-like slices spin across the stereo spectrum and force their retreat. Another indication of Klock’s talent for detailed sound design and the most enticing lead-up to his album.

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04. Portable, “The Shallow Final” [Musik Krause] (buy)
One of only two 2008 releases from Alan Abrahams’ Portable moniker, “The Emerald Life” is just as potent as his Perlon 12″ but arrived so late in the year it was all but overlooked. Its bombastic and explicit A side is a sure floor filler, but I have to nominate “The Shallow Final” for the superior side. It’s more of a deep-house song than a track, lifted buoyantly by soft pulses and sustained piano chords and led around by Abrahams’ soulful, double-tracked vocal narrative. And there’s grit to it, too, raw edges shaped by dense metallic percussion and a gruff beat. As “The Shallow Final” draws to a deconstructed close, you might just wonder how something this captivating escaped your ears. Don’t miss it the second time around.

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05. The Village Orchestra, “Dwyer” [Stuffrecords] (buy)
This is the first record by The Village Orchestra to reach my ears, but it’s one that has me wondering what I’ve been missing. “The Dark Is Rising,” TVO’s latest, is a varied package including a peppy remix from 2562. “Dwyer” is the track I return to the most, in no small part because of its delightful contrast between multiple layers of frenzied percussion and widescreen placid tones. Despite the hectic rush the track never loses its cool, and even though it would never fit into my DJ sets I’d love to attempt airing it out. The space between techno and dubstep grows more attractive with each new release.

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06. EQD, “Equalized #002A” [Equalized] (buy)
07. John Roberts, “Bodywork” [Feel Music] (buy)
08. Matthew Styles, “Palladium” [Horizontal] (buy)
09. Chaton, “+91 Ahead” (Agnès Kingston-Geneva Rework) [Plak Records] (buy)
10. Rustie, “Zig-Zag” [Wireblock] (buy)

Check out staff charts after the jump.

Staff Charts

Bill Bearden:

01. The Qemists ft. Wiley, “Dem Na Like Me” (King Cannibal remix) [Ninja Tune]
02. Maniac, “Salt Fish” [Earth 616]
03. Davinche, “What Is Mine” [Earth 616]
04. DZ, “Break It Down” [Badman Press]
05. Tinchy Stryder, “Rollin” [Universal]
06. Toastyboy, “On Something” [Halo Beats]
07. 2562, “Embrace” [3024]
08. Bar 9, “Murda Sound” (Cluekid remix) [Z Audio]
09. F-One & Kromestar, “Tek-Nik” [K Star]
10. Instra:mental, “Futurist” [Naked Lunch]

Shuja Haider:

01. Patrice Scott, “Far Away” [Sistrum Recordings]
02. Moody, “Hello 2morrow” [KDJ]
03. Scott Grooves, “Coco Brown” [Clone]
04. Delano Smith, “Cosmos Revisited” [Third Ear Recordings]
05. DJ Bone, “The Vibe” [Subject Detroit]
06. Theo Parrish, “Chemistry” [Sound Signature]
07. Tim Toh, “Three” [Philpot]
08. Kassem Mosse, “No Peace/No Love/No Unity” [Mikrodisko Recordings]
09. Mr. White, “Aeroplane” [Alleviated Records]
10. Anton Zapp, “Lovin U” [Quintessentials]

Todd Hutlock:

01. EQD, “Equalized #002A” [Equalized]
02. Intrusion, “Seduction” (cv313 Morning Dub) [echospace [detroit]]
03. Carl Craig & Moritz von Oswald, “ReComposed” (Villalobos “Uli, Mein Ponyhof” Rmx) [Deutsche Grammophon]
04. Ben Klock, “Subzero” [Ostgut Tonträger]
05. The Mole, “For the Lost” [Internasjonal]
06. IMPS, “Almost Live But Definitely Plugged” (Move D Remix) [Mule Electronic]
07. Sideshow, “Television” (ft. Cortney Tidwell) [Aus Music]
08. STL, “2 Deep” [Something]
09. Theo Parrish, “Chemistry” [Sound Signature]
10. Matias Aguayo, “Walter Nuff” [Kompakt]

Will Lynch:

01. Del Shannon, “Gemini” (Pilooski Edit) [Discograph]
02. Others, “Take 1/Take 2” [Musique Risquee]
03. Flying Lotus, “Robertaflack” (Martyn’s Heart Beat Mix) [Warp Records]
04. David Pher, “Harare” [Glückskind Digital]
05. Anton Zap, “Groovin” [Quintessentials]
06. Wireman, “Armour” [Prime Numbers]
07. Leif, “Warm Shoulder” [Thinner]
08. Delano Smith, “Something For Myself” [Third Ear Recordings]
09. Seuil, “Dipsie” [Minibar]
10. Chardronnet vs Afrilounge, “Just For a Little Peek” (Gabriel Ananda Rmx) [Sportclub]

Tsiridis  on February 6, 2009 at 8:14 AM

Yeah Dwyer’s great! I get tons of stuff through listening to it here first, but im proud to say i had Dwyer in my charts before hehe 😉 Great tracks, love the Equalised release also.

petepete  on February 6, 2009 at 9:50 AM

I know you’re all big fans of Tobias at LWE, but I wouldn’t say that his remix ‘completely dwarfs’ the original. I think the original is great, I really like the sounds that D’Julz works with, and these sounds are what makes Tobias’ mix stand out. Without those sounds it’s just a standard Tobias mix. Just my opinion. Nice chart btw.

eric cloutier  on February 6, 2009 at 10:07 AM

that ben klock track has been blowing my shit UP for a few weeks now, and i cannot get enough of it.

hutlock  on February 6, 2009 at 10:29 AM

Eric: Have you heard the whole album yet? GOOOOOOOOOD stuff.

Adamm  on February 6, 2009 at 11:52 AM

Nice to see the Kassem Mosse in there (although, I do prefer 578) and the Move D remix of Almost Live But Definitely Plugged.

Is this the reader’s chart thing?

Sam  on February 6, 2009 at 11:59 AM

The Village Orchestra, “Dwyer” = a really great track!

Too bad you don’t think it would “fit” into your set – I’d love to hear a DJ play that kind of thing…

littlewhiteearbuds  on February 6, 2009 at 12:06 PM

@ Adamm

No, the reader charts will be posted separately from our official charts.

eric cloutier  on February 6, 2009 at 1:00 PM

hutlock : yep, had it for about a month now. almost as “shedding the past,” but not varied enough. still amazing though.

Will Lynch  on February 6, 2009 at 1:06 PM

Honestly I think the new Ben Klock album could have been better. Don’t like any of the vocal tracks at all. The EP is great though, and I agree with everyone about Sub Zero.

hutlock  on February 6, 2009 at 1:54 PM

I agree that it’s not as HOLYSHITAMAZING as Shed’s album, but I think there’s something to be said for its focus — I don’t hold the lack of variety against it.

Joe H  on February 6, 2009 at 2:57 PM

i think the album could have been better. i’m enjoying before one more than one & his latest klockworks is a good ep. i hope there are some decent remixes to come of the album, i’d like to see shed & dettmann on remix duties.

this dwyer track is next level shit.i would also love to hear it out.

Nightowl  on February 7, 2009 at 12:40 AM

definitely agree with the portable & ben klock tunes – they’re amazing productions! staff charts look interesting, shuja haiders could be mine :).

Simon  on February 7, 2009 at 4:14 PM

Agreed with everyone else that Subzero is shit hot.

It’s just great techno music, full stop.

tom/pipecock  on February 7, 2009 at 11:22 PM

is Shuja the same Shuja who does bass and superstructure? when did he/she (sorry if their gender was mentioned somewhere) become part of LWE? did i miss something?

littlewhiteearbuds  on February 8, 2009 at 11:51 AM

Shuja (yes, of B&S) made his first appearance on LWE with his great review of Tokyo Black Star’s latest. LWE is always open to new writers with fresh perspectives.

tom/pipecock  on February 8, 2009 at 6:42 PM

ah, there was no introduction here and it wasn’t mentioned on B&S. i totally didn’t even look at who wrote that review when i read it! wildness.

littlewhiteearbuds  on February 8, 2009 at 6:48 PM

Yeah, we’re backing away from introducing staff and moving towards straight up expansion.

Moka  on February 9, 2009 at 5:20 PM

Please more stuff that sounds like Dwyer!

RAW  on February 12, 2009 at 3:14 AM

Given the no. of comments about Dwyer, I figured it was worth mentioning that DJ Goodhand (Stuff Records) is a resident at the ill-ec-tro-nic night – 2nd Thursday of every month @ Cafe1001, Brick Lane, London – that’ll be tonight folks!

Flylife  on February 13, 2009 at 11:24 AM

hi steve or anyone who can help

can anyone tell me what the track at the very end of tobias’ live set @ watergate from 07? i think it’s mixed in with ‘balance’ all the way

littlewhiteearbuds  on February 13, 2009 at 11:41 AM

Haven’t heard the set so I’m of little use. Anyone else?

Eduardo  on February 16, 2009 at 9:05 AM

Can Portable do anything wrong? Good call on “The Shallow.”

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