Some favourites of 2011:

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Blog-wise, and I don't tend to have much time to scout round the blogs these days, but my favourite urban music blog has to be Semtex's blog: http://DJSemtex.com. In terms of useful websites that I've come across this year, We Transfer has to take the prize here: http://WeTransfer.com. There've been many albums I've enjoyed this year, but 'Watch The Throne' from Jay-Z and Kanye West, 'Take Care' from Drake, SBTRKT's self-titled debut, 'Every Kingdom' from Ben Howard and Noel Gallgher's High Flying Birds self-titled album, are all firm favourites.

This year has seen some of the artists who I've bashed people over the head with on Twitter come to see huge success, in particular, Emeli Sande and Ed Sheeran, two amazingly talented British songwriters. I'd like to say I was championing Ben Howard also, but he appeared on my radar very late in the year, thanks to Lauren Laverne on BB 6 Music. Also through her show I was very pleased to be introduced to the work of Bon Iver, Lana Del Rey, M83 and some new Friendly Fires output that I'd have probably otherwise missed out on. 

In terms of the producers who I feel have excelled this year, it's certainly worth noting what the likes of 2 Bears, RackNRuin, Redlight and of course Noah Shebib (Drake's producer) have been doing. They've all produced some great music during 2011. Music people who have been an inspiration to watch and learn from this year most certainly include Eddy Temple-Morris (for his unique, all round manner, and great CMU columns I've previously blogged about), Nick Bright (a leading light at BBC 1Xtra, in terms of quality presenting talent) and Zed Bias (the mans work rate scares me... and we get told we're super-productive! Zed is on a whole new level of the term 'productive').

I could go on, but I want to keep this short, really. It's been a great year for British music, and a great year for us as HeavyFeet. Big up 2011!

Mike HF

Filed under  //   BBC 6 Music   BBC Radio 1Xtra   Ben Howard   Bon Iver   Dj Semtex   Drake   Ed Sheeran   Eddy Temple Morris   Emeli Sande   Friendly Fires   HeavyFeet   Jay-Z   Kanye West   Lana Del Rey   Lauren Laverne   M83   Nick Bright   Noah Shebib   Noel Gallagher   RackNRuin   Red Light   SBTRKT   The 2 Bears   We Transfer   Zed Bias  
Posted December 31, 2011 by HeavyFeet 
 

Redlight - Get Out My Head (video)

New single from the man like Redlight, forthcoming on MTA/Mercury. I absolutely love the simplicity of this track. The solo percussion intro, the solo keys breakdown, the organ drop, the addition of the vocal (which is a sick topline, I've gotta say). That 90's edge is doing it big right now, and when it's Redlight delivering it, you know this is gonna be a big tune.

Mike HF 

Filed under  //   Get Out My Head   MTA Records   Red Light  
Posted December 17, 2011 by HeavyFeet 
 

Groove Armada - Red Light

As you may know, Tom and Andy of Groove Armada have been staple supporters of HeavyFeet music of late, so we'd like to invite you to check out their new release 'Red Light Trax Vol.1', and download their new track, 'RJ's Theme', for free, if you click here. 'Red Light' (nothing to do with Redlight - AKA Clipz, FYI) is their new multi-person performance outfit, which you can read more about below.

This is what their website has to say:

Lost in a submarine glow, hanging off the lasers, the unique GA house sound… Groove Armada present RED LIGHT. As a Live band they were legendary. 2011: The RED LIGHT shows open a new chapter. A 4 decks, multi FX, audio visual DJ experience. Rooted in the warehouse. Delivered stadium style. 2011 and the boys are returning to their roots. RED LIGHT, both live and in a series of dancefloor EPs, will mark a return to the spirit of the warehouses where the GA project started. This summer, the duo will return to Ibiza for a RED LIGHT residency on the Space Terrace along with a series of festival dance arena headline shows. The unique GA Edited blend of tough upfront tunes will be thrown into a 4 decks, synths and FX setup. ’Red Light Trax Vol.1′ is OUT NOW!

Check out a teaser video here:

Mike HF

Filed under  //   Andy Cato   Groove Armada   Red Light   Tom FIndlay  
Posted September 5, 2011 by HeavyFeet