Dance albums of 2010

Compiler of JOE’s weekly dance chart, DJ Craig G, takes a look back at a sterling year for the genre – and gives us his top five albums of the year.

Delphic, Acolyte. Download here.

I'm sitting in a health centre waiting to see a doctor so I can receive my annual flu jab. I have my earphones positioned firmly in my ears and my iPod at full volume – much to the annoyance of the other patrons.

The combination of Mancunian quartet Delphic's big, booming beats, chunky electro-rock riffs, soaring synths and powerful vocals make me want to dance around the waiting room like I'm in a Fatboy Slim video.

Listening to Acolyte, you can't help but feel the Underworld/New Order influence, which by no means is a bad thing.

Acolyte is a very uplifting album of great strength and character that at times is nothing short of genius. It's one of those albums that inspires you to dance like no one's watching but considering the environment I'm in at the moment, that’s probably not a very good idea.

Tinashé, Saved. Download here.

Every now and then an artist comes along and manages to capture a period of time and make it their own. This summer, Tinashé did just that with Saved. It was a lot like Florence Welch before him with Lungs and Finley Quaye with Maverick A Strike, if you see the pattern.

You can't fault the ease with which he hops from one genre to the other, his lyrical brilliance and the socially apt realist issues he chooses as his subject matter.

Saved is an album crammed full of contemporary pop music that has really grown on me, so much so it has recently made the transition into my well-thumbed classic albums section and sits alongside the likes of Massive Attack's Blue Lines, Bob Marley & The Wailers’ - Catch a Fire and Paul Simon's Graceland.

Yeah, yeah I know what you’re thinking... but it really is that good.

Shit Robot, From The Cradle To The Rave. Download here.

Dubliner Marcus Lambkin, who releases music under the moniker Shit Robot, first appeared on my radar back in 2006 with Wrong Galaxy – his first release on James Murphy's ultra hip DFA label. Soon to follow was Chasm in 2007 and then in 2009 came the 90's inspired Simple Things – which put him firmly on the map.

From The Cradle To The Rave is a mish mash of musical styles that takes in electro, funk, techno pop, disco and acid house along the way.

From The Cradle To The Rave has a list of guest vocalists that reads like a who's who of cool featuring Alexis Taylor of Hot Chip, Nancy Whang of LCD Soundsystem, Ian Svenonius of Weird War, Planningtorock, Saheer Umar, The Juan MacLean and James Murphy.

Like most producers of his kind Lambkin's journey began on the dancefloor as an Irish raver. He then followed the natural progression through DJing before taking the final step into producing. When you consider the styles and diversity featured on his debut album it's plain to see that he kept his ear firmly to the ground.

Underworld, Barking. Download here.

Underworld are one of dance music's heavyweights along with Leftfield, The Chemical Brothers, Orbital, Faithless and Basement Jaxx. They first formed in 1987 but didn't really explode onto the scene until they released Rez/Cowgirl as a double a-side back in 1993, followed shortly after by the release of the seminal dubnobasswithmyheadman in 1994.

Barking, their first album in three years, has been received with mixed reviews from their loyal fan-base. I took it in the same vein until I caught them live in the RDS back in November – when it all changed. Anybody who's had the pleasure of seeing Underworld perform live will testify to their performance being so energetic that you can almost taste the dry ice.

Barking demonstrates the fact that Underworld are not afraid to move forward and spread their wings by collaborating with current producers such as Dubfire, High Contrast, Paul Van Dyk, Mark Knight and D Ramirez. Because of this move, Barking is an utterly ripping release with the potential to knock you off your feet. It's one of those albums that unravels in your ears like a fork of Sunday roast does on your palate.

Groove Armada, Black Light. Download here.

Groove Armada have been a firm fixture on the dance music scene since the early 90s. This is a band which in the absence of a frontman has collaborated with the creme de la creme of music. They have in the past brought on board legends such as Richie Havens, Jeru The Damaja and Neneh Cherry, Black Light, Groove Armada’s sixth studio album, is no different.

Andy Cato and Tom Findlay's Black Light rages from the start with opening salvo Look Me in the Eyes Sister – a real hulking ogre of a tune. It features Jess Larrabee who helps make listeners sit up and take note. Other collaborations include Nick Littlemore of Empire Of The Sun, SaintSaviour, Fenech-Soler, Will Young and Bryan Ferry.

Black Light is a creeping, melodic cauldron of brilliantly crafted electro-pop that at times is as moody as Andy Murray when he serves a double fault. Pure audio porn.

JOE’s Dance Downloads is compiled by veteran DJ Craig G. The Dubliner has performed sets in numerous clubs during the course of his 18-year career including The Dragon Nightclub in Dublin and The Vic Nightclub in Galway. His mixes, meanwhile, have been featured on 2fm. Craig G has been working with Rampage School of Dance for the past eight years, putting scores together for their live performances. Their last collaboration enjoyed a sold-out run at The Mermaid Arts Theatre.