10 Singles You Should Own on Vinyl

We know, we know: digital killed the CD, which had killed the cassette, which had killed the vinyl record... at least in the mainstream. We remember how it wasn't that long ago (maybe six years?) that PR agencies were still sending white label promos to reviewers and DJs. The dance music scene worldwide was build on two turntables and a mixer, and while the advent of CDJs in the late 1990s helped usher in a new wave of interest, vinyl spinning is still regarded by many as an artform, to the point where a number of festivals and club nights feel the need to promote "all vinyl" areas for purists. Producers like Paradox still release music on limited-edition vinyl runs, and you can't front: nothing beats listening to properly-mastered dance music on vinyl.

That said, today is Vinyl Record Day, and we wanted to make sure your vinyl collections were properly stocked. With so much music available on wax, it can be hard to buy what you should own for records that you might hold near and dear "right now." For those of you who want to make sure your electronic music collection is solid, here are 10 tracks that you should, without a doubt, be in posession of, with links to purchase on Discogs (if available). Get your dusty fingers on.

Label: Transmat
Year: 1987
Where to Buy?: Discogs

Not only is "Strings Of Life" one of Derrick May's most recognizable tracks, it's one of the building blocks for the Detroit techno scene, and is held dear by house lovers as well. When you look back at what the Belleville Three were doing, it feels like the Afrofuturism vibe they were influenced by is directly tied to tunes like "Strings Of Life."

Label: RAM Records
Year: 1993
Where to Buy?: Discogs

Before there was "The Executioner" Andy C, before the Sub Focuses and Chase & Statuses and the era of RAM that is today–hell, before there was even a RAM Trilogy–there was Origin Unknown. While I'm not sure if Andy C and Ant Miles figured that the AA-side of the fourth RAM release would be the classic that it is, but "Valley of the Shadows," with its BBC documentary samples and sub-low bass, has been a staple since its release over two decades ago. And while the 1996 reissue (with the special "Awake '96" version on the flipside) and the 1998 reissue (with "Truly One" as the b-side) are cool, just stick to the original release.

Label: Warp
Year: 1994
Where to Buy?: Discogs

As THUMP recently pointed out, Auteche's Anti EP was electronic music release to make a statement. used as a way to speak out on the British goverment's attempts at crippling the "free party" movement, aka the Criminal Justice And Public Order Act 1994. The sticker on the packaging says it all, really:

"Warning: Lost and Djarum contain repetitive beats. We advise you not to play these tracks if the Criminal Justice Bill becomes law. Flutter has been programmed in such a way that no bars contain identical beats and can therefore be played at 45 or 33 revolutions under the proposed law.

However we advise DJs to have a lawyer and musicologist present at all times to confirm the non-repetitive nature of the music in the event of police harrassment.

Important: By breaking this seal, you accept full responsibilty for any consequential action resulting from the product's use, as playing the music contained within these recordings may be interpreted as oppostion to the Criminal Justice and Public Order Bill."

Interesting tidbit: while "Flutter" could be played at 33 1/3 and 45 RPM, the CD version only contained the 45 RPM version. Listen to the slower, more Amber-esque 33 1/3 RPM version below.

Label: FFRR
Year: 1994
Where to Buy?: Discogs

While I'm not sure how much drum & bass Pete Tong takes in these days, it was London Record subsidiary FFRR that he ran that signed Goldie in the mid-1990s. "Inner City Life" isn't the beginning of drum & bass, but it's a bit part of drum & bass as we know it, and one of Goldie's crowning achievements as a producer, songwriter, and visionary (although who knows how this record would've sounded if not for the wizardry of Rob Playford). We recommend copping the version with "Jah" on the flipside, as they're both a part of the "Timeless" suite from the album of the same name.

Label: Virgin
Year: 1997
Where to Buy?: Discogs

There could've been some bigger Homework singles we could've included, but there's something about Daft Punk's homage to Chicago house, featuring to DJ Sneak remixes on the B-side, that just makes this one a bit more of a collector's item then some of the other Daft Punk vinyl singles from their first full length.

Label: Virgin
Year: 1998
Where to Buy?: Discogs

Yes, this was the theme to House, but it's also the second single from Massive Attack's brilliant thir dalbum Mezzanine. Not too many tracks can totally change your mood, forcing you to adapt to their chill quite like "Teardrop" does. If you can find the Virgin promo version of this single, you'll get a special instrumental version of Mad Professor's dub of "Teardrop" alongside the vocal mix, the LP version, and the Scream Team remix.

Label: n/a
Year: 2002
Where to Buy?: Discogs

It actually took a bit for this one to get a proper release; I remember hitting the Sutpen's Jungle in February of 2000, and multiple DJs were rinsing this one out; proper "yes, you've definitely heard this particular bit five times tonight." Although it was for good reason; Lil Louis' 1989 original is a classic, and there was something about the way that Ed Rush and Optical, who'd been sorting out a new phase of their own sound, incorporated the charging neuro sound to this cut. That tempo shift (from fast to slow, then back up to fast again) was the key.

Label: Land of X
Year: 2006
Where to Buy?: #shrug

Yes, I know this was on a four-track EP, but if you're rating anything on it above "Rhyth & Gash, Pt. 1," you're playing yourself. Every grime MC worth their weight in cigar guts has committed memorable bars to this riddim, and for good reason. There's something about the combination thos vocals on that beat that is a great example of what grime was about when it was really progressing. Still a classic, this 10" seems to be a little hard to obtain. Happy hunting!

Label: Planet Mu

Year: 2010

Where to Buy?: Discogs

While this is in no way Rashad's first vinyl release, this ended up being his first solo release on Planet Mu, which you could say helped highlight how important Rashad and his brand of footwork was to the world. Outside of the previous Banks & Works compilation, this was one of the first glimpses that many outside of the Chicago/U.S. got to hear of proper footwork material, and was a catalyst in Rashad's progression for the four years after.

Plus, it's just dope that the title of the release is Itz Not Rite and there's a left foot on the label. Genius.

Label: Deep Medi Musik
Year: 2013
Where to Buy?: Discogs

This was a dub that was sought-after for years before Mala tacked it onto the end of his 2013 Essential Mix, thus announcing its release. It's an epic film all to itself, pure escapist beauty. It won't work on most dancefloors, but this one is truly about getting lost in the moment via a gem of a tune. And while most traditional outlets aren't stocking this single-sided white label release, Discogs has plent of singles on deck.