20 artists who will make your year in 2017
Here's who will guide you through the next 12 months
12 D. Futers
Although David Futers keeps a low profile, he’s rooted himself firmly into our consciousness this year with the quality of his musical output. That he’s based in Durham is about the amount of information we have on him, but building a picture of the producer from his musical projects paints an interesting and varied figure. Previous work includes a commission from Mancunian experimental music ensemble ACM to compose a piece conceptualised around Denmark, and collaborating in contemporary classical-meets-electronica group Points Of Light. Not the type of sounds commonly heard in the club, but through 2016 Futers has marked himself out as an exciting new talent in the realm of danceflooor bangers.
In July he minted Natural Sciences sublabel Dolphin Traxx with a 12” fronted by infectious garage-house fusion ‘I Care’ which won the title of festival season anthem after receiving regular rotation by the likes of Pender Street Steppers, Ruf Dug and Beautiful Swimmers. On the flip he showcased his range, turning in the grittier ‘Never Givin’ Up’, an impressively crafted blend of full-throttle jungle beats, reverb-soaked pads and a skewed Aaliyah sample.
An EP titled ‘U Get Me’ also arrived through Ron Wilson’s prized 777 Recordings outlet, exploring lo-fi ambient, rolling acid and hip hop turntablist sounds across its four tracks. The pick of the bunch was ‘Mackin’’, which sampled both Ron Hall & The MuthaFunkaz’s soulful house tune ‘The Way You Love Me’, recognisable to fans of D1’s funky-dubstep fusion ‘I’m Loving’, and gangsta rap vocals from Lil Gin, underpinning them with a propulsive percussive line. It’s a track that epitomises Futers’ deftness at merging disparate influences into unique club thumpers. With releases on 777 and Gene’s Liquor already lined up for next year, we’re banking on him making a splash in 2017 with more thrilling, unclassifiable material. P Hinton
