2009: The Albums

So, albums that rocked TIWWD's world this year, then… artist albums first:

Faze Action - Stratus Energy

(Faze Action)

Tiga - Ciao (Wall Of Sound)

Liquid Stranger - The International Slapstick (Interchill)

Filipsson & Lindblad - A Splendor In The Grass (Nang)

Mystikos Quintet - Wup Bup

(Jersey Blu)

Snuff Crew - Snuff Crew (Gigolo)

Joey Negro & The Sunburst Band - The Remixes (Z Records)

Kikumoto Allstars - House Music (Gigolo)

Namito - 11 (Kling Klong)

ATP - Energy Currency (Vibration Records)

The XX - xx (Young Turks)

But there can be only one, as the saying goes… and while the Faze Action, Liquid Stranger and Kikumoto Allstars albums all got mucho plays, without doubt the ALBUM OF 2009 for me was

The Phenomenal Handclap Band – The Phenomenal Handclap Band (Tummy Touch)

Just ace. Rooted in disco but eclectic in the extreme, this was like the sound of the 1970s rolled into one glorious mirrorball. Saw them live and they were ace, too. If you can't be arsed scrolling down, here is what I said back in June. Still stand by every word.

Dance music revolves as much around compilations and mix albums as it does artist full-lengths, though, so here's the TIWWD selection for 2009

DJ Spinna presents The Boogie Back (BBE)

Horse Meat Disco (Strut)

Deep House Part 1 (Soulstar)

Cielo: Playtime (Tommy Boy)

Liquid Allsorts (Allsorts)

In The Night Vol 2 (Acryl)

Kevin Saunderson: History Elevate (KMS/Fabric)

This Is What The Universe Sounds Like (Universal Vibe)

Locked In The Vinyl Cellar: Joey Negro (Z Records)

Singles 2008-2009 (Soul Jazz)

West Coast Wanderers (Peng)

House Session Vol 3 (Large)

One Dub (Interchill)

But again, there can be only one winner, and the COMPILATION OF 2009 gong has to go to:

Drumpoems Volume 2 (Drumpoet Community)

The Compost-related Drumpoet Community outta Munich has been one of my favourite labels this year. If you want to know why, check for this completely blimmin' brilliant album showcase. If you claim to love house music, you need this in your life, end of!