My friends and fellow Andrew Weatherall obsessives over at The Flightpath Estate spent 2025 picking up more DJ work, and consequently developing their turntable chops. These polished skills certainly showed in the track-list for their second compilation album, Sounds From The Flightpath Estate Volume 2, where the tunes were all aimed at the dance floor. The team, Martin Brannagan, Mark “Rude Audio” Ratcliff, Barry Smith, Dan Snape and Adam “The Bagging Area” Turner, must also be thanked for playing a major part in convincing Jagz Kooner to put the Sabres Of Paradise band back together.
We’ve already heard from Adam – and we’ll be hearing from him again soon – but here Martin, Mark and Dan share a few of their favourite releases from the last 12 months.
Fabulous finds and pithy prose care of the mighty Flightpath Estate.
MARTIN BRANNAGAN
Top 7 Compilations
I thought I’d focus on some collections as 2025 seems to have been incredibly strong. Not withstanding a certain ‘Sounds From The Flightpath Estate Volume 2‘ that was released in the summer, there have been a fantastic selection of exclusive collections, label focussed compilations, both physically and digitally. Here’s 7 that have featured strongly in my listening habits and occasional DJ forays over the last year. Honourable mentions also to All The Young Droids, Volcanic Tongue, Telepathic Fish, Somewhere Soul Rituals, Pornographic-Time and 10 Years Of Rotten City.
A Love From Outer Space (Material Music, February)
A celebration of the ALFOS sound. A concept conceived by Sean Johnston and Andrew Weatherall and continued on with passion and gusto by Sean for the 5 years since Andrew’s passing. Lovingly curated by Sean and Material Music, collecting ALFOS classics, some previously unreleased, plus and exclusive new content, this compilation makes a superb bed fellow to Andrew’s 2012 Masterpiece album. Across a 12 track double LP and a double CD – one 19 track mixed, one 12 track unmixed – the sounds are still never knowingly above 122bpm and display a variety of forays into Balearic, post-punk, goth, motorik, Middle Eastern, nu disco and more in between. You have to look further than Neville Watson’s finally available Blow Monkeys rework, but it’s very hard to.
Ein Null: 10 Years Of Sprechen (Sprechen, September)
Lots of label anniversaries in 2025. Manchester’s Sprechen, run by local legend Chris Massey, have been ever pervasive this year in particular, hosting a number of both small and large events throughout the city. September saw the release of their compilation celebrating 10 years of doing the business, bringing together exclusives and originals from all manner of artists. The raw ambience of Utopia Strong‘s ‘Old Mathers‘ is an incredibly powerful opening but A Certain Ratio, Pyschederek, Lindstrom, PBR Streetgang, Chris’s own Thief Of Time and Massey & Supernature amongst others, create a strapping, diverse package over the course of the 9 track LP.
Fifteen Years of Leng Records 2010-2025 (Leng, November)
The latest compilation, and celebration, from the always excellent Leng Records. There’s a nice variety of tracks, some leaning more into house-ier domains and some firmly chugging. All new and exclusive takes. Flying Mojito Bros refix of Joe Harvey Whyte & Bobby Lee was a highlight for me, along with Payfone who is making some of the finest tracks at the moment. Spread across a lovely 2×12 and with an additional 10″ vinyl offer.
Resonance: 10 Years Of Vibrational Sounds From The Heart Of Invisible Inc (Invisible Inc, May)
Resonance: 10 Years Of Psychedelic Sounds From The Soul Of Invisible Inc (Invisible Inc, October)
The earliest of the label celebration packages on my list and Glasgow’s Invisible Inc hit 10 years and decided to flood us with vinyl. First up a ‘Vibrational‘ double album in May and then closing 2025 with a ‘Psychedelic‘ single LP in October. Andrew was a champion of this label from its inception, and it’s easy to see how many of these tracks would have appeared in his live sets or on his MNFE radio shows. Hard to pick favourites from this real all over the place bag but Hena on the Psychedelic, and Girls Chat Room on the Vibrational makes me think Woodleigh Research Facility every time it comes on.
The Curse Of Bad Passion, Ten Years Of Not An Animal Records Part 1 (Not An Animal, October)
The Curse Of Bad Passion- Ten Years Of Not An Animal Records Part 2 (Not An Animal, November)
The last of my label anniversary roundups. Chris Stoker and Andy Bainbridge‘s Not An Animal released two digital only (boo!) collections at the end of the year. My ears gravitate towards the second more alternative collection, but the first longer, dancefloor oriented album definitely has some great moments too (the always reliable Warehouse Preservation Society in particular but most of the tracks would make a great set on darker dancefloors). However, the second collection of 11 tracks is just superb, opening with Andy Bell‘s beautiful psychedelic echoey guitar piece, Craig Richards then makes a foray into the chillout room, and DJ Chrysalis delivers a lovely piece of classic sounding ambience.
Unlock Your Mind with Morning Glory – Compiled by James Endeacott (Two Piers , September)
The only question in an end of year collection list is which Two Piers release shall I pick because they can’t all go in! Over the past few years this Brighton label has firmly established itself as the absolute finest in putting together collections – stretching particular themes and being able to license the obscure to the mainstream. Plus the collaborators they choose for this are of the highest quality. In 2025 they put out Soul Psychédélique, Pop Psychédélique: Les Extras and Strobes In Space, all of which could grace this list but I’ve edged towards including the James Endeacott compiled Unlock Your Mind With Morning Glory, which is a real eclectic selection of tracks that James encountered whilst putting together his Morning Glory show for Soho Radio. All manner of oddity is here – eastern sounds, psych, dub, `60s. I don’t listen to much jazz, so the near 12 minutes of Muriel Grossmann are a particular highlight, and Elijah Minnelli never disappoints. It’s so great to bring I Hope The Goats Come Back to more of an accidental audience. A wonderfully refreshing compilation.
VNVA A collection of works Part 2 :1990 – 2025 (Voice Notes, May)
I think Toby Tobias’ Voice Notes label might be slipping under the radar, as it’s only had a few releases in the 3 years it’s been active. Last year they put out a digital collection of new and unreleased cuts, and followed up in May with this second collection, digitally and on cassette. 16 tracks sometimes on the harder edge of things, of deep, dark, melodic techno, house and electro. Facade‘s 20241020 is beautiful, but there are also gems from Coral D, Normal, Wally Spangler, and Toby’s own material, produced under a myriad of guises. Search this out.
MARK “RUDE AUDIO” RATCLIFF
A top 10 from me… including a face saving number 10 where I still try and cram in a few more… Ask me in a day’s time for a 2025 top 10 and it’d look completely different… but if I was going to highlight 10-ish tunes from this year, as of now, it might look like list below.
In no particular order, and not including the Flightpath Estate Mix of Lickwidnitwit, which isn’t just one of the best tunes – finally – released this year but of the last 40
Crooked Man & The All Seeing I / I Walk Crooked
Stunner of a tune in any year. Slo-mo dreaminess filtered through the druggiest of jazz club vibes, this had all sorts of non-house / non-electronic heads I know in a tizz. It’s proper music innit.
Massively catchy, with an insanely hooky & filthy synth refrain going on. Was fished out NYE.
DIIV / Fender On The Freeway (Minor Science Remix)
A lovely bit of dreamy dub music. Trying to resist deploying the ambient dub label. Gorgeous clear 12” vinyl, too.
Psychemagick / Above The Clouds (Warehouse Society Preservation Remix)
Massive dub bassline and huge analogue arpy sounds made this one stand out. I’m not the biggest fan of breakbeats but they work a treat underpinning this monster.
The Johnny Halifax Invocation / Dead Swamp Hula (The Lincolnshire Poacher Mix)
Fav dub tune of the year. It’s a hooky, low slung beast with a huge bassline, crazed harmonica and Scottish vocals that sound like they were recorded in the pub.
The new Death In Vegas album is great and this is the opener – a gorgeous piece of epic ambience that conjures huge emotions and vistas.
D:Ream / Do It Anyway (Al MacKenzie’s Dubbing The House Mix)
Another gorgeous and dreamy piece of dub music, from one of my favourite producers and DJs, who has a proper understanding of dub dynamics.
Rollicking, rolling, hooky techno, with all sorts of incredible sounds peppering the mix. This should have been MASSIVE.
Getdown Services / Drifting Away
All their releases this year have been interesting – sample based indie electronica, with very suburban English raps accompanying the tuneage. Their live gigs are riotous.
So hard choosing a tenth but Carl Airsine’s Like Fire original, and some of the remixes – Ben Hunt’s, Dadhaus’ FireBreaks most notably – made for a brilliant package. Every release from Carl is interesting. And am already beating myself up for including nothing from 100 Poems, Acid Arab, Jamie Paton, or Michael Son Of Michael.
DAN SNAPE
Due to the Flightpath Estate disco deployments usually being afternoon sessions, played to a mixed crowd of walkers, pub regulars, families and whippets, I’ve focussed my 7 on the ‘less oompty’ element of our oeuvre…
These New Puritans / The Other Side
Stunning! This stopped me in my tracks when I first heard it, and still does now. Crooked Wing was one of my favourite albums of 2025 but this is a standalone piece. I get the Talk Talk comparisons, not sure I agree, but These New Puritans are another band out on their own, following their own path. This demands your full attention.
I love Maria’s material. Her show at The White Hotel was spellbinding. Projections could easily have made my list if it wasn’t released in 2024.
Luster is such a great album. Field recordings, Maria’s voice, Clannad and Cocteau Twins influences all combine. The 18 year old me would have loved it. The no-longer 18 year old me does too. Timeless music.
My top find of 2025 has been Officer John. I’ve loved all the tracks released on Wah Wah Wino as the year progressed and could easily have picked all of them to feature here. Playing this on a sunny Golden Lion beer garden afternoon was a particular 2025 highlight: people, music and environment all combined. Beautiful.
Sydney Minsky Sargeant / Summer Song
The album Lunga was a great surprise to me; it really unravels after repeated plays. The whole thing got under my skin, and Summer Song is a highlight. Folk, pop, ambient, electronic; this track distils the essence of Lunga. It’s also way too short, as that closing refrain could go on and on. Personally, hoping Syd has a 12 minute wonky version lined up for 2026
The Bug / Militants (The Rocket, Holloway)
Dub is always a heavy feature of a Flightpath Estate set, and this is some of the heaviest dub I’ve heard. The Bug and Ghost Dubs take it in turns to shake the foundations and pay homage to great sound systems they have played on. I don’t know what the soundsystem at The Rocket sounded like admittedly, but this made for a life affirming racket in Todmorden.
I’ve loved Richard’s material for as long as I can remember. To have him donate an exclusive track for Sounds From The Flightpath Estate Vol 2 was a dream come true. Mark had been teasing us for ages about some upcoming and unreleased Death in Vegas that Richard was working on; then the release of Death Mask confirmed that his enthusiasm was well placed. Richard excels at creating electronic music filled with soul, and Roseville is a perfect example of this. It just builds and builds and builds and takes you along with it. Not strictly afternoon warm up material granted – unless Adam has just dropped Rez again! – but an essential feature on my list from 2025.
Dan’s stuff would have featured on any end of year list I made over the last decade. Tremor took a while to appeal to me admittedly, due to the change in direction. That said, it is a sonic masterwork; it sounds so alive and literally comes roaring out of speakers. I Feel You is the album’s closing track and captures Dan less in the thrash metal / goth mode and more electronic and contemplative. It’s such a great track and the perfect closer to Tremor. The Midnight Version is amazing too…
(I hadn’t heard this before, and I’m getting One Dove vibes – Rob).
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