Chart courtesy of The Economist

01. Gerd, “Time & Space” (Original Dusty Tape Mix)
[Clone Basement Series] (buy)
If anyone needed more proof of the enduring quality of Gert-Jan Bijl’s productions, check the latest single from Clone Basement Series. Purportedly found on a “dusty DAT tape,” likely from the ’90s, “Time & Space” is a rousing house song that fits as easily into the present as it does its original context. The interplay between its stalking synth sounds, spare but jabbing percussion, and evocative vocals is haunting, because it’s both startlingly catchy and somehow seems aware of its own portentous nature. In addition to two splendid remixes by Duplex, the single includes Gerd’s “2011 Rub” of the track. Although its beefed up drums and longer runtime will certainly appeal to DJs, it almost seems unnecessary when the original was convincing enough when it was first made. Makes you wonder what else is hidden away on dusty DAT tapes.

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02. The Weeknd, “What You Need”
[self-released] (download)
It’s increasingly common for for bass music to puncture the pop music sphere, but it’s understandably less expected for pop to make its way upstream to bass music. I’d argue that’s exactly what Toronto’s Abel Tesfaye, Doc McKinney and Illangelo, who make up The Weeknd, have done with “What You Need,” a twilit R&B slow jam that doubles as fodder for bass music DJs who wade into the slower end of the spectrum. Opening with Aaliyah’s “Rock The Boat” vocal, the track lays out lush chords and understated drum programming on which Tesfaye’s honeyed vocals writhe. Musically it’s appealing enough, but its disquieting lyrical pathos — insisting “he’s what you want, I’m what you need” after describing himself as “the drug in your veins” — is what grabs your attention by the lapels. There happens to be an incredible amount of hype surrounding The Weeknd, in no small part because he’s been cosigned by the rapper, singer and fellow Torontonian, Drake. And while their free mixtape, House Of Balloons, isn’t quite as “next level” as some want to suggest, songs as arresting as “What You Need” make them impossible to write off.

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03. Tazz, “Underground 12” [Tsuba Limited] (buy)
Besides a commitment to house grooves, Kevin Griffiths’ Tsuba Records has been somewhat tough to pin down in its six years of operation. So perhaps it wasn’t entirely surprising when two-time Underground Quality artist Tazz released his third single on Tsuba’s vinyl-only Limited sub-label. B-side “Underground 12” continues his streak of immaculately arranged house cuts, offering varied, muscular percussion patterns, yearning strings, and a granular synth progression that ingratiates itself with each repetition. This blend of lo-fi textures and near cinematic arrangements is quite affecting, burning into listeners’ memories more like a smouldering look than a burning building. Limited to 500 copies, it’s not the kind of record that will hang around on stores’ shelves very long. Let’s hope that if Griffiths narrows Tsuba’s focus he chooses to release more material like “Underground 12.”

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04. FaltyDL, “Voyager” [Planet Mu] (buy)
As per its title, FaltyDL’s You Stand Uncertain finds New Yorker Drew Lustman returning to the many sub-genre nooks he’s explored over the last year without settling in any of them. The end result is an enjoyable if dizzying LP, that, contrary to some overreaching critics, is perfectly workable in DJs’ sets. The album’s most subdued moment, “Voyager,” is also its most gorgeous point, a boogie-compatible tune whose nimble melodies seem held together by tense, rubberbanded percussion. Managing to be mellow and breezy, it’s the kind of track that cries out to warm up a dance floor. We should be thankful that Lustman took so many approaches or we might’ve missed out on something enticing as this.

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05. Sven VT, “Sunday Funk” [Suol] (buy)
When the only thing you know about a producer is their work as part of a group, it’s always interesting to see what they come up on their own. As half of the BPitch Control-affiliated, tech-house duo Zander VT, Sven von Thülen didn’t leave many hints as to his solo aspirations: a debut EP for the Hong Kong-based Suol imprint that draws heavily from funk sample sources to make its point. Offering both party-starting cuts (“Ever Since You Came”) and more introspective moments (“In Our Garden”), my favorite splits the difference between these modes. At first “Sunday Funk” seems simple — rolling hand drum percussion, a funky bass line, and spoken vocals that “make you feel that way” — but it blossoms at the arrival of teasing organ riffs which hang in the air like smoke from a spliff. Perfectly nailing the relaxed, afternoon house session vibe, “Sunday Funk” is a great first outing from Sven VT and another welcome release from Suol.

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06. BNJMN, “See Thru Stars”
[Rush Hour Recordings] (buy)
07. Kassem Mosse, “Untitled B2” [Workshop] (buy)
08. John Heckle, “What Once Was”
[Mathematics Recordings] (buy)
09. Levon Vincent, “Tyner” [Soul People Music] (buy)
10. Ajello ft. Hard Ton, “Chocolate Black Leather” [Danny Was A Drag King] (buy)

Staff Charts:

Luke Hawkins
01. Kai Alcé, “Lost” [NDATL Muzik]
02. Nuel, “Untitled A1” [Aquaplano LTD]
03. Loosefingers, “Indigenous 303” [NDATL Muzik]
04. Lowtec, “Wonderkidd” [Nonplus]
05. John Heckle, “The 4th Dimension” [Mathematics]
06. STL, “Evil Smile” [Something]
07. Blawan, “Kaz” [R&S Records]
08. The Other People Place, “Sorrow & A Cup Of Joe” [Clone]
09. Omar-S/Kai Alcé, “Not Phazed” [FXHE]
10. Mokira, “Axis” (Echospace Modell) [Kontra-Musik]

Kuri Kondrak
01. Michal Wierzchowski, “Deep Roots” [Aesthetic Audio]
02. Ron Trent, “Pop, Dip and Spin” [Only One Music]
03. Walt J, “B1” [Fit]
04. Aaron-Carl, “Wallshaker (Original 12″ Mix)” [Millions of Moments]
05. Lone, “Dolphin” [R&S Records]
06. Theo Parrish, “Feel Free To Be Who You Need To Be” [Sound Signature]
07. Protect-U, “U-Uno” [Future Times]
08. M.D., “Megalopolitan Soul” [X]
09. Marcellus Pittman, “You Want Me (Never)” [Seventh Sign]
10. L.H.A.S., “Call That Jazz” [Vibrations]

Chris Miller
01. Hitsafe, “Let The Acid Out” (Tin Man Remix) [Shaddock Records]
02. Achterbahn d’Amour, “Talkin’ Acid” [Absurd]
03. Dadawah, “Seventy-Two Nations” [Dug Out]
04. Patrice Scott, “3AM” [Sistrum]
05. Dijkhuis, “My Love Is…” [Night Gallery]
06. Christopher Rau & Jacques Bon, “Anita Niesz” [Aim]
07. Fred P., “Sometimes” [Soul People Music]
08. Lowtec, “Looser” [Nonplus]
09. Pearson Sound, “Project” [white]
10. Tin Man, “Lost In LA” (Antislash Remix) [Salon Records]

Jordan Rothlein
01. Pittsburgh Track Authority, “Bloodlands” [Uzuri]
02. SCB, “Loss” [Aus Music]
03. Tin Man, “Lost In LA” [Salon Records]
04. Kassem Mosse, “Untitled B1” [Workshop]
05. Levon Vincent, “Tyner” [Soul People Music]
06. Moritz von Oswald Trio, “Structure 4” [Honest Jon’s]
07. Gil Scott-Heron & Jamie xx, “NY Is Killing Me” [XL]
08. Panda Bear, “Surfer’s Hymn” (Actress Primitive Patterns Mix) [Kompakt]
09. Achterbahn d’Amour, “Your Love (In A Jam)” [Absurd]
10. Sylvi Foster, “If Are You Master” [Cititrax]

Andrew Ryce
01. Addison Groove, “Work It” [Swamp81]
02. SCB, “Loss” [Aus Music]
03. Andy Mac, “Everytime” [Punch Drunk]
04. LV, “Northern Line” [Keysound]
05. ASC, “Revelations” [white]
06. Peverelist, “Dance Till The Police Come” [Hessle Audio]
07. Kate Simko, “Mind On You” [Hello Repeat]
08. Smash TV, “Eating Bullets” [Leena]
09. Tazz, “Underground 12” [Tsuba]
10. Hyetal, “Beach Scene” [Black Acre]