1080p records
It’s been a great year for 1080p Records, which in turn has done a great deal for Canadian electronic
music. This one-man-army label, led by Richard MacFarlane, has put out some of the most colourful and enticing records of the last 12 months. While we do have a place in our hearts for all the output from this superb Vancouver imprint, these have been rumbling our speakers the most.
PROJECT PABLO
I Want to Believe
A gentle, funky reminder of how good house music can be. Its juicy bass lines and downright alabaster jazz licks make for an album that can flip between background music and centrepiece with a slight adjustment of the volume dial, which should be true of any great house record.
RAMZi
Houti Kush
RAMZi — the pseudonym of Montrealer Phoebé Guillemot — didn’t so much break the mould with Houti Kush as she did plant it in the rainforest and allow it to flourish. The album’s gooey percussion and critter-ridden chatter culminate into an organic medley that’s like nothing else.
JOURNEYMANN TRAX
Smoke Tape
Upon hearing Journeymann Trax’s inaugural release, one Exclaim! staffer remarked “Love, can you feel it?” This could indeed be the best summation of Smoke Tape, a euphoric mini- album whose acid-tinged and hazy rhythms give a subtle nod to the early ’90s rave scene.
UMFANG
Ok
An unadorned title for an unadorned album. Ok is an uncluttered display of spacey techno and Latin-inspired drums that fits into the label’s vivid aesthetic so snugly. Plus, Umfang is part of the Discwoman collective — a New York outfit who highlight and support women in the electronic music industry.
MCFERRDOG
Lawd Forgive Me
One can easily get a clear image of Max McFerren, aka MCFERRDOG, childishly giggling behind a synth and sampler combo while recording this. The record’s wonky house cuts and faux-anthemic bangers shimmer with Technicolor brilliance, while still managing to boast rugged, club-ready fare too. An album that doesn’t take itself too seriously, from a label that doesn’t seem to care for such nonsense either.