JAXX2008 - The Year in Review

2008 is over folks, and that's another year of Jaxx music down and out. I'd need to go back and confirm this, but I think since Atlantic Jaxx began in 1994, we've had music in the form of albums and/or EPs every single year.

This year started out slowly. After 2007's flurry of Atlantic Jaxx activity, we had to wait until April before Adele's "Cold Shoulder" singer was released with two Basement Jaxx remixes. And while they released plenty of ace music after, the Classic Remix was probably my favorite of the year. A quintessential Jaxx production with pop-friendly vocals and a low-down dirty bottom end.

Following on, a mysterious little number seemed to pop up from nowhere called "Wheel N Stop." This one featured one of Toddla T's MC's named Serocee. OK, forget what I said about the Adele remix - this is the one right here! A simple groove with a funny little nursery rhyme thrown in, and more heavy, but clean, bass.

Straight after, a new JAXL EP was announced: the Planet 1 EP. As more devoted fans are aware, the JAXL EPs are 'joint ventures' between the Jaxx's proper pop label XL and their own Atlantic Jaxx. A new JAXL EP has always meant, in the past, that a new Jaxx album is right around the corner. Planet 1 featured collaborations with Yo Majesty on "Twerk," Lightspeed Champion on "My Turn," and the epic "War." Curiously, only "War" was released digitally, so you had to be a little more persistent to track down this special yellow vinyl 12".

However, no new album was announced (at this time, or for the remainder of the year in fact). But the Planet 2 EP was. This time around, we got three more brand new tracks, plus one dub. It took us a while, but after listening, we finally realized that the it-girl of 2008, Santogold, was crooning on the hyper "Saga" (and it's dub). Another bottom-heavy stormer appeared from the remnants of Felix's remix of Kal's Mozzarella (from the Atlantic Jaxx album Balkan Bangers 2) in the form of "Facepaint." The EP was rounded out by the cumbia-house track "Shake-Up," which, surprise surprise, contained a bit of the "Wheel N Stop" groove as an interlude. I know a few clubs here in Texas that would go CRAZY for that track. No digital release at all for this one, so grab that red vinyl when you see it.

To finish up the year, the Jaxx put on their Halloween masks and released a new Nifty EP (read about that one below) and a new Banana Krew EP (see previous post).

And always willing to lend a helping hand, two Jaxx collaborations appeared on albums by Cyndi Lauper ("Rocking Chair") and Yo Majesty ("Booty Klap").

Overall, while the output was low relative to last year, Felix and Simon released some incredibly solid, quality music this year. And the best part, for me personally, was that the majority was decidedly house music in one form or fashion.

The Aussies and the Brits get tour dates this spring, and then who knows after that? Could 2009 be the year they finally decide to bring the beats to more American cities than L.A.?* Will we ever hear a new Jaxx DJ set without having to travel to Indonesia or Brixton? Just how many Atlantic Jaxx EPs can be squeezed into one year? Stay tuned for the answers.

Here's to a wonderful 2009!

*Just a quick note to any UK bands out there, doing a US tour and only stopping in LA and NYC is like doing a European tour and only stopping in Berlin and Madrid. Come on, the dollar is worth nothing, so come over and get four US tours for the price of one!