With December here, Ban Ban Ton Ton is looking back on the musical year. Since Japanese superstition holds 7 as her luckiest number, we’re gonna try to keep each selection tight to this total, in the hope that our conjuring of 7 X 7 X 7 X … will collectively manifest some magic for 2025. You may witness some attempts to creatively bend the rules, blur / invent genres and rinse formats, in order to squeeze in as many great releases as possible…
For me, this year, Tornoto’s Spiritual World came out of nowhere. Having been tipped to N1_Sound’s magical Mantras by Tom Dubwise, I subsequently picked up everything on the Toronto-based label. Terrific E.P.s from T3AL, Y’Know, more from N1_Sound, all of it blurring the boundaries between dub, funk and soul. On Friday they announced an essential new remix release featuring an amazing line-up that features Om Unit, SKRS International, and Frankie Downbeat. Here, N1_Sound selects a lucky 7 of his own favourite tracks from 2024.
Super selections and words care of N1_Sound.
My favourite voice in the Toronto reggae scene.
Local legend. G-funk chest-bump approved dance floor banger.
Shawty Pimp / Stackin What U Lackin
Not a new song, but this sound is IT.
To know him is to love him. Big things coming in 2025 from Raf Reza.
Seekersinternational & Juwanstockton / Mercury Rising
Every new SKRS release is a blessing. This one hits that fully freaked dub meets R&B tip a little harder.
We’ve never met in person, but I feel a musical connection with this crew. I think we’re pulling from the same places and headed in complimentary directions.
Tony Price / Requiem for the Ontario Science Centre
Textural perfection. Conceptually on point. Tony does it again. That’s just what he does.
T3AL’s future classic first E.P. has just been repressed. It comes together with a 12 of brilliant new remixes. You can pick both up from Spiritual World.
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