Influences: Kyla - Daydreaming (Lil Silva Mix)

I was about to head out driving and as a last minute decision I decided to take a mix CD that my brother had bought back with him from South Africa. It was a mix CD that he had bought out there when he was there to see the World Cup in 2010. It consisted of a mix of Kwaito, South African House and UK Funky tracks. It is interesting to note that with the preponderance of Euro-infused House that dominates the charts UK FUnky never really made it to the mainstream. If anything the chances of that happening now are better than ever, considering Afrobeats has managed to make a breakthrough in the UK in 2012, and it shares many similar elements to UK Funky. I first remember hearing it on a drive down to Brighton, where my mate would regularly play tunes that I hadn't heard. I remember thinking that this blend is amazing! There are so many elements, particularly in the drum patterns that share a common thread with Afrobeats and this Lil Silva mix of Daydreaming by Kyla is a great example of that. The 4x4 kick, combined with the Afro-percussive rhythms. I love Kyla's gentle, dreamy vocal that floats along the beat which stays really funky throughout. Lets hope 2013 brings funkier tunes such as this one along! Lightning out.

Disclosure - Please Don't Turn Me On

It looks like 2013 is going to be a big year for Disclosure. The release of their first album will be an interesting moment in dance music. And I think that is the case because they are bringing back the sound of 2step/garage. They are also from near where I live, literally 20 minutes away. They are barely into their 20's, but garage is such a Croydon sound I know they would have heard this sound all around them as they were young. I know I did! (Weirdly enough I ran into a mate of theirs when I was DJ'ing at a wedding over the summer in Surrey. Small world) So they have updated a classic by Artful Dodger, which in my opinion highlights who they are and what they do. I remember when Re-Rewind dropped and you would hear it everywhere. "Please Don't Turn Me On" wasn't such a big-hit, but it was more gentle. I always got the feeling from the lyrics that it wasn't going to matter anyway; they were still going to end up together, despite his pleadings. I love the classic four-to-the floor sound, combined with the synths that beautifully dive in and out. If Disclosure have success, then that could set the template for pop music for the next couple of years. Kind of like how David Guetta's success a few years ago is still being felt today. Hope 2013 is a successful year for Disclosure!

Diplo - Set It Off/Katy B - Light As A Feather

It is always interesting when you hear something different being done with an original tune, so that it could become a pop hit. Something Diplo is familiar with, when Major Lazer's "Pon De Floor" morphed into Beyonce's "Run The World". This is a prime example as a tune from Diplo's "Express Yourself EP" turns into a sultry effort from Katy B. I have always thought that she was great. It is interesting to think it would have been quite easy for her to go the Skrillex/Calvin Harris route, but instead she returns on this EP with something slightly different. It feels like a summer tune with the dreamy nature of the synths and the relaxed beat, but it still feels awesome as the UK is weighed down by rain and wind!

BBC Sound of 2013 - Laura Mvula

With the new year fast approaching it is always with great anticipation that a music fan awaits the announcement of the annual Sound of poll as released by the BBC. Looking at the Sound of 2012 poll it is interesting to note the impact made by the winner, Michael Kiwanuka, the runner-up, Frank Ocean and number 4 Skrillex. I would not doubt that Azealia Banks has made an impact too, but the influence of Niki and the Dove hasn't really penetrated past the internet world. Skrillex (who came fourth) has had a significant influence with his records and his sound too. In fact at a Prodigy gig on Dec 18th that was all the warm-up DJ's seemed to be playing! The question that is always asked is that is this poll a reflection of all we are about to see in the forthcoming year, or a list of successful acts that become successful primarily because they will be listed on this prestigious poll?

In my opinion it is a bit of both. Because there are acts that will be launched in the fallow months of January and February that will be successful, but then there are acts that can be listed that will not ever release anything (Joe Lean and The Jing Jang Jong and Sadie Ama are the two names on the list that spring to my mind from previous polls). For me the most intriguing act in this year's list is Laura Mvula. Her songs sound like an orchestra of voices, with aspects of The Beach Boys in her sound. Check out her uniqueness...