Handpicked by Alex Fox

“I am writing this on 13th December, the day after a Conservative election campaign built on lies and deceit has shattered any hope of creating a new and more compassionate Britain. The last ten years in the UK have been dominated by politics, bad politics. It is impossible to explore ten years of music without looking at this in context, apathy and resistance.

When tasked with the impossible job of picking five albums to sum up ten years of music, I set out to look at the albums I have consistently dusted off, and spun on the record player. I have looked to pick music that covers the wide range of excellent music that has been released and albums that have been important to me in that time.

I have attempted to reflect on the records that I still listen and will keep on listening to, as well as those that cover my wide interests. Many great albums haven’t made it, so I would recommend listening to as much music as you can over the next decade, because how can you some up ten years in 5 albums?”

Lau – Race for the Loser [Reveal Records; 2012] 
One of the best and most powerful albums I own. I first saw Lau at the Moseley Folk Festival in 2013 and have been going to see them ever since. This adoration peaked in a performance at Celtic Connections on Burns Night in 2017, a performance that will never be forgotten by those who were there. Collectively we sang a Hamish Henderson song, while the trio played in front of a ‘Save the NHS’ banner. This album is a journey of gentle Celtic melodies and modern electronics; it transports you to a better world.

Fatoumata Diawara – Fatou [World Circuit, 2011]
My main source of music in the last decade has been the illuminating WOMAD in Charlton Park. Fatoumata Diawara remains the most memorable artist I have ever seen there. The album is a beautiful combination of modern Malian blues and the powerful voice of Diawara. For me this is the best Malian album over the last ten years, this album is political and touches on war and famine in Mali, as well as female empowerment.

Wesseloft, Schwarz, Berglund – Trialogue [Jazzland, 2014] 
This electronic jazz album summed up a wave of minimalism that was widely listened to in the early parts of the decade. Electronic music platforms such as Boiler Room spread the music of Glass and Reich. This album, put together by three of the greatest Scandinavian Jazz artists of their generation, calls back the sounds of E.S.T., but with a more updated and modern response to the rise of techno. Although not the type of jazz that the decade would later become renowned for, the album is a modern classic.

DJ Koze – Amygdala [Pampa Recordings, 2013] 
I have selected albums that over a decade, have constantly come out. Whether we are having a relaxed dinner, hungover at breakfast or still up from the night before, DJ Koze is always appropriate. Choosing between Amygdala and Knock Knock was a tough decision. But every time I hear Amygdala I hear something new, a beat I hadn’t picked up on before, a little dip in the vocals or just an extra bleep. It’s an album that after seven years, keeps on giving.

Ethnic Heritage Ensemble – Be Known Ancient / Future / Jazz [Spiritmuse Records, 2012] 
UK jazz has become the sound of the decade, a young and vibrant collection of artists have transformed the UK. Leaders of the movement are Total Refreshment Centre and their associated event Church of Sound. Although Chicago based, Ethnic Heritage Ensemble is here to represent the innovative jazz that has been created over the last ten years. The first time they played at Church of Sound was a moving a powerful show that could raise the spirit in the firmest sceptic. The vocals of leader Kahil El’Zabar echoed round the church like nothing I have seen before, and the album reflects the powerful spirituality of that evening.