Hark’s Top 50 Songs

In no particular these are some of the tunes I enjoyed this year. Starting with more gentle sounds (soul, folk, RnB and more) and working our way through the electronic specturm (house, techno, disco), continuing with bashment, reggae, rap, hip-hop and grime. Enjoy!

The Bug ft Spaceape – At War with Time

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VHj0U-jZ_nw
This combination is incredible. Two heavyweights coming together to create a haunting and honest perspective of life and time. The use of Tibetan bowls definitely got me on this one. If anything it was the powerful and honest performance by Spaceape, whom we sadly lost this year. He left us with some powerful poetry.

Andrew Ashong – Special

Lovely, gentle and full of escapism. Andrew Ashong guides us through this song with soulful folk precision. You can feel the love in his words. 

Gil Scott-Heron – Alien (Hold On To Your Dreams)

One of the forgotten legends of modern music in my opinion. An extremely wise and passionate human being. This rendition of his classic came out this year for record store day. Sadly it was limited edition for some reason. No doubt if you tracked down a copy you’ll probably have a musical orgasm. 

Seu Jorge – Faixa De Contorno

The super-talented Brazilian Seu Jorge constantly delivers singing both in English and Portuguese. I always say it, the Portuguese language must have been invented through singing. It makes so much sense even if you don’t understand a word. Too much groove.

Chassol – Music is God my Love

The Chassol album finally came out this year after much teasing in 2013. A great concept combining clever editing, classical Indian music and piano play.

Spooky Black – Without You

Most of the time when I hear music I don’t have any visual aids. I’m glad because music is often best discovered when all judgmental attributes are taken away. Also included in Luke’s list. 

Fatima – Do Better

Can’t really go wrong with a track produced by Floating Points with vocals from Fatima. Another solid collab. 

Timber Timbre – Hot Dreams

A mellow and soothing track. Loving the production and nostalgic sound on the keys. 

Tobias Jesso Jr – True Love

Sometimes all you need is a piano, great lyrics and a honest vocal performance. Great love song.

D’Angelo – Really Love

Might as well say it. Album of the year. I went with this cut. A song that been around for a very long time as I’ve been informed by Anj.

Nick Hakim – I Don’t Know

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3xt54qePa8c
A soulful new-comer. Will be interesting to see what else he creates in 2015.

Via Rosa – Luhvin Me Back

Strictly available on Soundcloud, this song is my favourite off the album. Definitely a worth a listen in my opinion. One of the underrated artists of 2014. Hopefully she gets more attention in 2015. This was also included on Anj’s list.

Michael Jackson – Never Felt So Good (Original)

I don’t have a clue why this version never came out first time round. This is just perfect. Micheal Jackson at his peak. Incredible.

Fuse ODG – TINA

Richard was in my class at school and it’s been delightful to see him achieve so much this year. Taking his vision of New Africa #TINA to so many people in such a positive manner. Can’t believe he made it on to Jool’s Holland. Well done Richard.

Kindness ft Kelela – World Restart

Never heard of this guy before, but I enjoyed this collab with Kelela. Nice little song.

Jackson 5 – Dancing Machine (Daniel Crawford Remix) (Kon Edit)

If you’ve heard of Kon then you’ll know he makes some banging disco/funk edits. This one is a stand-out for me. Silky, smooth and funky. One for the 2-step crew getting the dance floor warmed up.

Tinashe – 2 On ft. SchoolBoy Q

Certified club banger of the year. This gets everyone moving in the club. 54 million views on Youtube and still going strong. I’m pretty sure the album came out for free at the start of the year and no one wanted to know.

Kali Uchis – What They Say

Short, sweet, melodic rap from California. Chilling in the summer sun.

Luvless – Down With My Baby

Slow jazzified house that will work at sunrise or sunset. A steady roller.

Anthony Naples – Perro

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9eUxHFbXIo
I always have time for Anthony Naples who is one of my favourite electronic producers of the last 2/3 years. Hyptonic and groovy. I just get lost in the music.

Eli Escobar – Seein U (Album: Up All Night)

http://youtu.be/aqwZy8Jms6o?t=16m14s
Such a smooth house track. When that subtle drop comes in. Just perfect. A gentle track to make you float away from the dance floor. Apparently only 300 copies have been made. Someone get me a copy please.

Dan Shake – 3AM Jazz Club

Anything to come out on Moodymanns label should be taken seriously. Heavyweight riddim for the crowd that likes to dance.

Les Sins – Bother

Toro y Moi takes a break to bring us some of his solo electronic work. Good effort from this multi-genre influenced joint.

IAMNOBODI – When You Know It

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3EGmqIOvxMM
A highlight from the Soulection camp. These lot have been influencing a new generation of beat makers for the last 2 years. Music is consumed differently for the internet generation and this what we are getting. Other stand out producers include Sango, Mr Charmack and the guy below.

Kaytranada – At All

This guy had a pretty big year. Signed to XL and released some big club tracks. Album will no doubt be fire in 2015.

Theo Parrish – Footwork

The legend that is Theo Parrish. Some great interviews from him this year. Very on-point opinions about club-culture and how much is consumed these days. Top tune from his recent album. Check out the moves in the video.

Moodymann – Lyk U Use 2 (feat. Andrés)

Nothing sounds like Moodymanns album, dropping at the beginning of the year. This tune is sick. The man is a don. Artwork for the album is on point. Good to see him and Theo playing all around Europe this year.

Deadbeat – Woah!

This is taken off the Ryan Elliot Panorama Bar mix which I really enjoyed. Woah! was one of the releases following the mix. A rolling and hypnotic dance-floor warmer.

Delroy Edwards – What’s Your Hood Like

Some kind of house/hip-hop. Whatever it is I like it. Nice and fresh ironically.

Leon Vynehall – It’s Just (House of Dupree)

This guy is just solid with his output. Didn’t know which song to pick off the release. It’s Just was a standout in my opinion. A classic Dilla sample right?

Head High – Hex Factor

Shed one of my favourite producers. No one does the rave-techno sound better in this day and age.

Randomer – Percussion Work Out Part 2/

Just relentless. Funky. Groovy. Tense. Three drops leave you in a percussive heap by the end of the tune. Such a Berlin sound. Sure to leave you in a hyperactive mood. Video is jokes.

Mick Jenkins Ft. Jean Deaux – Healer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxDg2ZQ0DuQ
One of the best rappers of the year with one of the best albums. No doubt he’s been over-looked for obvious reasons. Such a shame. Check out Jean Deaux who just dropped her album on Soundcloud.

Fly Union – Right Here

Out Lee who put me on this song. This and the song below are both included in his list. You could say this is a love/heart-break hiphop song. Tune.

Freddie Gibbs – Robes

For all the people who say they like ‘real’ hiphop, whatever that is, this album is for you. Now shut up. Standout album of 2014. Great beats, rappers, lyrics and collabs. Also included in Anna’s list.

Isaiah Rashad – RIP Kevin Miller

Came out early in the year but it stayed with me throughout the year. Never heard this played in a club. Ended up seeing this performed live when he supported Schoolboy at Brixton Electric.

King Louie – Banana Boat Ft LeekeLeek

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eunrYoHavRA&spfreload=1
Never heard a rap song like this before. This sounds fresh and new to me. It’s like a stoned, melodic drill, Atlanta style track. That probably doesn’t make any sense, but you know the track does.

Schoolboy Q – Man of the Year

One of the club bangers of 2014. Song-a-long jumping-up-n-down crew this is for you.

Vic Mensa – Down On My Luck

A rare example of a rapper performing a credible dance track. More of the soulection infleunce. House meets hiphop.

Johnny Cinco – No Choices

Been feeling a few tracks performed in this style. The flow works and it just represents the state of America’s streets. It is what it is. I never understand the people chasing this so called real hiphop. My man is rapping about the choices he had in life. The choices are real fam.

Young Thug – Danny Glover

Another hands-down banger of 2014. This popped off hard in the clubs. This just shows how divided America is when it comes to music and society. Young Thug does things his own way and has a completely different lifestyle to that of rappers from the previous generation. Maybe they’re more real. Who knows. Also check out Try Me and Eww.

Alkaline – Gyal Bruk Out

I’d say this was the biggest dancehall tune of the year. I heard this blarring out of cars around South London all summer (depends which part of South London you live in). Huge bashment tune to shut-DOWN the dance.

Popcaan – Everything Is Nice

Nice to a hear a reggae artist like Popcaan showing us a different side to bashment. A big hit this year. This probably reached broader audience than some of his other tunes.

Protoje – Who Knows ft. Chronixx

Loving the new wave of conscious reggae artists. I like my 70/80’s reggae. This was a summer hit in my eyes. Pure vibes and on point. Also Chronixx definitely broke through to a bigger audience.

Zikomo – Champion Riddim

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zIMCyevkhZQ
This is a banging roots influenced tune. It sounds too familiar, if you know what I mean. Not sure if it’s original or heavily edited. Either way it just reminds of going to see Channel One every month. No worries in the dance.

Skepta – That’s Not Me (All-Star Remix)

The biggest grime tune of the year. Let us ride the all-star remix. Salute! Original on Dan’s list.

Wen ft Riko Dan – Play Your Corner

One of the stand out 2nd wave of Dubstep producers collabing with a grime veteran Riko Dan. Strong!

The Square – Peng-a-leng

I’d say this is the strongest crew I’ve seen come through in grime. Let’s see if they can make it. If you wanna know what it’s like to going to school in the ends, then this is a glimpse. Don’t forget these man are young.

Novelist and Mumdance – Take Time

This was a big tune. Probably the hipsters choice for grime tune of the year.

Stormzy – Not That Deep

Stormzy is from my ends and they filmed this pretty close to where I live. No choice but to support and represent. I think Teddy is on the beat. I wanna see something stronger in 2015.

Wiley – On A Level

The godfather of Grime dropped his album this year. On A Level is probably the stand out track on a pretty average album for Wiley.