| Rec Me Garage/UK Garage/House |
| 1 |  | Luomo
Vocalcity
Gimme some of those beats where the same line is sung over and over and over and over again |
| 2 |  | Machinedrum
Vapor City
Avagantamos
While the sense of doom and chaos presented through the album cover does ring true in the music, Vapor City is worth far more than the initial highlight of the pulsating bass. Yes, it does stay as a highlight, but the sense of danger created in the atmosphere is countered by the soulful vocal samples that, for just a moment, make you forget where you are. In my vision of Vapor City, it is very similar to that of the post-apocalyptic novel/video game series Metro. Through all of the dangers, however, you still have your “safe zone” that’s lit well and is indeed safe, but still keeps you on edge. The perfect example of this is Baby It’s U where the vocal makes you feel like you have someone close to you that makes it all worth it after the chaotic Eyesdontlie that makes you forget your own life exists with the pounding bass and the sole line of “Eyes don’t lie” pitch-shifted and repeatedly said. A near masterpiece.
4.5/5 |
| 3 |  | Machinedrum
Vapor City Archives
Avagantamos |
| 4 |  | MJ Cole
Sincere
Relinquished
This is really what I was looking for when I asked for UK Garage. The standout of this whole thing to me is easily the lovely and seductive vocals of Elisabeth Troy. My top 5 songs on here in order are probably Sanctuary, I See, Hold On To Me/Sincere, Crazy Love, and Tired Games. Technically six but it’s very difficult to limit myself when the songs are of such high quality. “Do you feel the vibes” could've ruined the song but it actually fits. The vibes on that track, I See, and Sincere aren’t exactly the same but they give me a similar feeling (though Sincere to a lesser extent). It’s not a totally consistent album to me, but in the month since checking it and hearing those previously mentioned songs many times, they definitely make up for the lesser moments here. As a side note, it’s very interesting to me that Crazy Love was sampled on R. Kelly’s song Switch Up. Not one of my favorites of his, but it’s always fun to discover samples without reading beforehand.
4.2/5 |
| 5 |  | Leon Vynehall
Rojus
Relinquished |
| 6 |  | Todd Edwards
Prima Edizione
granitenotebook |
| 7 |  | Sunship
Is This Real
granitenotebook |
| 8 |  | Nero
This Way / Bad Trip
NeroCorleone80
Raw Concept - Soul Separate and Don't Do It
Dirty Angels - Gone are the Days
Raw Book - What I Gotta Do (The Raw Concept Mix) |
| 9 |  | Photek
Solaris
AnimalsAsSummit |
| 10 |  | Motor City Drum Ensemble
Raw Cuts Vol.1
Chortles |
| 11 |  | Mosca
Done Me Wrong/Bax
Sinternet |
| 12 |  | Basement Jaxx
Remedy
Sinternet |
| 13 |  | Jam City
Classical Curves
Sinternet |
| 14 |  | Bok Bok
Your Charizmatic Self
Sinternet |
| 15 |  | Mark E
Works 2005 - 2009
Sinternet |
| 16 |  | Mark E
Works 2005 - 2009 Vol 2
Sinternet |
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