Chart courtesy of The Economist.

01. Âme, Fabric 42 [Fabric] (buy)
While few mixes have received many repeat listens at LWE HQ this year, Âme’s Fabric 42 has proven to be a huge exception. Not only does the mix mirror the sounds inspiring Âme’s own music, it’s woven together with a definite narrative and purpose, flowing from the ethereal strains of Linkwood to the incisively incredible Mixworks “Berlin Dub” to the obscure yet thriving KB Project. Although the a cappellas have rankled some, I find their choice in messages (“Accept yourself” from Moondog, “stand up for yourself” via Sharvette/Armando, “face the truth” from Those Guys) to be both compelling and providing a nice brainy balance to a mix that would have dancers turning off their minds to concentrate on dancing. Hands down my favorite mix of the year.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

02. Paul Frick, “Knock On Wood, Babe” [Kalk Pets] (buy)
Our favorite avant-garde composer-cum-house producer, Paul Frick, is back with his second EP for Kalk Pets, the punningly titled “Knock On Wood EP.” Although the whole EP is a treat, especially the sample heavy and hilariously narrated “Steal My Heart” (hear it on Kalk Pets’ Myspace), “Knock On Wood, Babe” is the cut that will land this in DJs’ crates. More energetic and challenging than “Rasmus Farber Plays the Marimba,” Frick chops up Matthias Engler’s propulsive marimba runs into tinkling icicles and deep, syncopated chords under which his house beat snaps open and shut. Another clear sign Frick is not to be slept on.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

03. Wink, “Stay Out All Night” [Ovum Recordings] (buy)
It took a bit of trainspotting to realize that the record I kept hearing in mixes and in the club was Josh Wink’s newest. Not being to much of a Wink fan, I was pleased that his move to the deep end of the pool was both relatively restrained and seemingly genuine. Its core organ riff lingers in the mind as if it’d been lurking there for ages and works a treat with the jazzy noodles and acid syncopations. Fizzy and ripe for mixing, “Stay Out All Night” might be one of Wink’s best tracks in ages.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

04. Quenum, “Mokossa” [Thema] (buy)
After his huge debut for Cadenza, Philippe Quenum sort of fell off most enthusiasts’ radar in spite of singles for Num, Plak, Platzhirsch and Orac. His latest, “Vault Elements,” is from May but still warrants attention, not least because of the supplemental digi-only track “Mokossa.” Quenum guides listeners through an incredibly diverse journey through jacking rhythms, tribal percussion, disoriented skat vocals and gurgling pads, all while maintaining a loose and low slung stance and swagger. The original EP is well worth a listen as well, especially the hymnal house chords of “Venice.” A solid reason not to let Quenum (or Thema, for that matter) stray too far from your line of sight.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

05. Mathias Kaden, “Perclue” [GS] (buy)
Mathias Kaden has proven ahead of the curve in his concerted interest for tribal percussion, and “Perclue” from his split with Knor finds him still a few steps in front of the crowd. That he’s able to precisely blend a seemingly endless array of hand percussion without suffocating dancers is impressive, as are reverent vocal surges and bass plucks which keep proceedings fresh. Kaden is definitely one artist young producers should look to before wading into the land of all things bongo.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

06. SIS, “Nesrib” [Cécille Records] (buy)
07. DOP, “I’m Just A Man” [Eklo] (buy)
08. DJ Koze, “Let’s Love” [IRR] (buy)
09. Kuniyuki, “Dear African Sky” (Henrik Schwarz remix) [Mule Musiq] (buy)
10. Model 500, “Starlight” (Echospace Unreleased remix) [echospace [detroit]] (buy)

Check out staff charts after the jump.

Staff Charts

Jeremy Cohen:

01. Stimming, “The Anger” [liebe*detail]
02. Sascha Funke, “Mango Cookie” (DJ Koze’s Pink Moon Remix) [BPitch Control]
03. Shed, “That Beats Everything!” [Ostgut Ton]
04. Barbara Morgenstern, “Come to Berlin” (Single Mix) [Monika Enterprise]
05. Gabriel Ananda, “Mahatma Regatta” [Platzhirsch Schallplatten]
06. Move D & Benjamin Brunn, “Love the One You’re With” [Smalltown Records]
07. Lee Jones, “Weisses Kanninchen” (Bugnology Version) [Poker Flat Recordings]
08. The Mole, “Ain’t the Way It’s Supposed to Be” [Wagon Repair]
09. Eyerer & Namito, “Feuersee” (Sunset Mix) [Great Stuff Recordings]
10. Eve White, “On the Move” [Contentismissing]

Nate DeYoung:

01. SIS, “Nesrib” [Cécille Records]
02. Soundhack, “Soundkit EP” [Soundhack]
03. Sten, The Essence [Dial]
04. Stimming, “Una Pena” [Diynamic Music]
05. Shed, Shedding the Past [Ostgut Ton]
06. Melchior Productions Ltd., “Who Can Find Me EP” [Cadenza]
07. DJ Koze, “Let’s Love” [IRR]
08. Radio Slave, “Eyes Wide Open” [R&S Records]
09. Model 500, Starlight [echospace [detroit]]
10. DFA Presents Supersoul Recordings, Nobody Knows Anything [Death From Above]

Todd Hutlock:

01. Stimming, “Una Pena” [Diynamic Music]
02. Melchior Productions Ltd., “Choir” [Cadenza]
03. Shackleton, “Shortwave” (Pole remix) [~scape]
04. Petar Dundov, “Rain” (Echospace Reduction) [Music Man Records]
05. Väth vs. Rother, “S’kränkt” [Cocoon Records]
06. Donnacha Costello, “It Simply Is” [Minimise]
07. Fuck Buttons, “Sweet Love For Mother Earth” (Andrew Weatherall remix) [ATP Recordings]
08. Minilogue, “Snake Charmer” [Wagon Repair]
09. SIS, “Dim Dim” [Cécille Records]
10. DOP, “I’m Just A Man” [Eklo]

Will Lynch:

01. Bruno Pronsato, “Nobody Calls” [Hello? Repeat]
02. Melchior Productions Ltd., “Who Can Find Me? (I Can’t)” [Cadenza]
03. Shackleton, “Shortwave” (Pole remix) [~scape]
04. TRG, “Soho Girls” [[NakedLunch]]
05. Luke Hess, “Platte” [Echocord Color]
06. SIS, “Dim Dim” [Cécille Records]
07. Christian Burkhardt, “Contemporary Box” [Oslo]
08. Brendon Moeller, “Electricity” [Leena Music]
09. Petar Dundov, “Oasis” (Substance & Vainqueur remix) [Music Man Records]
10. Lee Jones, “Safari” (Stimming remix) [Aus Music]

Colin Shields:

01. Guillaume & the Coutu Dumonts, “Can’t Argue With Silence” [Circus Company]
02. Melchior Productions Ltd., “Who Can Find Me? (I Can’t)” [Cadenza]
03. Sascha Dive, “Deepest America” (Moodymann remix) [Ornaments]
04. Shackleton, “Soundboy’s Suicide Note EP” [Skull Disco]
05. Bodycode, “The Centre of Time” [Yore Records]
06. Trus’me, “W.A.R. Dub” [Prime Numbers]
07. Bovill, “Low Pressure” [Meanwhile]
08. A Guy Called Gerald, “In Ya Head” [Perlon]
09. Various Production, “Lost” (Actress Mix) [Various Production]
10. Martyn & Marcus Intalex, “J.W. On A Good Night” [Revolve:r]