I wrote this a month or two ago but hadn’t got round to posting. Exams and dissertation are hitting on me hard but will be back banging out posts soon…
Without too much hyperbole, I can say hand-on-my-heart that Cottam’s three Untitled EPs, released last year, are one of the best series I’ve ever heard: uplifting, original, throwback … all in one breath. Cottam is an up-and-coming UK producer, who rides dirty house grooves and beefy slabs of percussion. But what really invogorates them is his fresh use of samples, traversing hip hop soul and african roots music. You could do worse than spinning all three EPs back to back, and then all over again. They’re that good:
Rough vintage percussion topped by delicious African vocals: funky, elated and impossibly upbeat. This was at the top of my March chart, although it was released last year:
Cottam – 002 B [pelski highly recommends] [removed on request, buy 12" here]
Swinging, chunky house beats dominate Side B of EP number three, drenched in yet more soulful afro-vocals. This is slow burning deep-house that packs a real punch:
Cottam – 003 B [pelski highly recommends] [removed on request, buy 12" here]
As they’re released solely on 12″ so I don’t feel too guilty for posting 320s (a rubbish justification that I might be punished for by the DMCA). Nevertheless, any Vinyl DJs out there should pick up each 12″ right away: Cottam 1, Cottam 2, Cottam 3. All six tracks are highy recommended. Also cop another of his standout tracks Down Low on the new Wolf Music EP, released last month.
For more on the evasive Cottam check out his Resident Advisor interview.
