05. Steffi ft. Virgina, “Yours”
[Ostgut Ton] (buy)
Taken from her faultless Yours & Mine long player from the early days of 2011, Steffi’s lead single “Yours” was not only the perfect calling card for the album but also one of the stand-out hits of the year. Easily one of the 2011’s most recognizable tunes thanks to simple yet compelling chord stabs that lead in to Virginia’s honeyed vocals, “Yours” was so popular it eventually became a victim of its own success. At its height, “Yours” could be heard in almost every house and techno set, sometimes being played multiple times in one night as each successive DJ took to the decks and waited for the time when they could drop the tune. Finally becoming too played out, DJs took the track off of its high rotation, but not before it had been indelibly embossed on everyone’s aural memories. A near perfect example of how to write an instant hit dance track, “Yours” takes relatively standard elements (the aforementioned chord stabs, understated, swinging percussion and chord variations) and marries them with an unforgettable vocal that never veers towards being too saccharine or diva-like. A soft shot to the heart of sonic serotonin, “Yours” provided one of the eyes-closed, melting moments of the year. (Per Bojsen-Moller)
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04. Kassem Mosse, “Untitled-A”
[Workshop] (buy)
Kassem Mosse has never been afraid of going abstract, but the untitled opening track of Workshop 12 shows him working at new levels of trippiness. The nearly 14 minute piece is almost entirely underlined by a vocal loop that ends up sounding like several different words at once; it’s repeated so frequently that the elements he throws on top — a bulbous bass line, shuffling percussion, strained horror movie strings — seem almost totally commanded by it. He deftly plays with time, interspersing the rhythm so delicately that the effect is somewhat dissociative. It’s hard to say where the “track” even begins, and as if to prove the bizarre hypnotic power of his mantra, the last three minutes consist of just the vocal. In a catalog that oscillates between sinuous, low-slung house and heady experiments, the two have never been so convincingly, intoxicatingly combined. (Steve Kerr)
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03. SCB, “Loss”
[Aus Music] (buy)
Even though you might associate Paul Rose in 2011 with the endlessly controversial trance-baiting “Adrenalin,” the much more universally loved “Loss” was inescapable for a good half of the year, whether it was seeping into sets from house, techno, or bass music DJs. There’s a reason: unadulterated accessibility. Released under an alias more often reserved for stripped-down techno, SCB’s first go on Aus Music is gleeful, candy-coated tech house, still built with the familiar Scuba elements — jaunty bass line, leaden percussion, and syrupy synths — but arranged with a disposition much sunnier than usual. Rose has always had a way with repetitive vocal samples, but “Loss” wins you over with pure infectious delirium, completely unintelligible but no less singable. It might all be a little simplistic were it not for those iridescent synths that pipe through the track’s peripheries, overwhelming it for a good old-fashioned Scuba-style breakdown before chugging back to life in earnest. Sure, it’s odd to hear the perennially-downcast Scuba this unguarded, uplifting, and, cheery, but no one’s going to question something as potent as “Loss” — that it came from such a surprising corner of the dance music world only added to its unique, irresistible charm. (Andrew Ryce)
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02. Tin Man, “Nonneo”
[Absurd Recordings] (buy)
Tin Man has long been spoken of with hushed tones and beatific language, but in 2011 Johannes Auvinen went straight for the jugular. More than peek his head out of the realm of nightshade-crooner-techno he seems to perpetually inhabit, “Nonneo” saw him return to the acid house of his first couple records but with a brightness and groove very much in contrast with those early, austere Roland jams. Uptempo, vaguely tribal percussion and punchy, beaming chords give an almost sunny disposition to the track, but the masterstroke of a 303 line that is the tune’s centerpiece is moody and glum enough to make it clearly a piece of Tin Man’s storied oeuvre. That bass line, easily my most listened to and loved of 2011 by a very generous margin, twists and turns through “Nonneo”‘s length, turning up the psychedelic cutoff and emotional resonance with each iteration. It didn’t get played out a whole lot, and I would like to think that’s because this one lay a bit too close to our hearts: playing it out would mean bearing our souls a little too much. During Tin Man’s staggering live set in New York earlier this year, the whole room certainly felt when that bass line came in, and I don’t think I was the only one with a glimmer in my eyes. (Chris Miller)
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01. Omar-S, “Here’s Your Trance, Now Dance!!”
[FXHE] (buy)
Sometimes the track of the year truly defines it. (See Kassem Mosse’s “Untitled,” our top pick from last year, which seemed to neatly summarize everything that was happening in dance music in 2010.) But Omar-S, as high as his stock rose in 2011, has always existed a bit out of time, a scene and subgenre of one. Truth be told, “Here’s Your Trance, Now Dance!!” — first issued on a single-sided 12″ (that decoy side was truly a brilliant touch) earlier this year before presiding over Omar-S’ It Can Be Done But Only I Can Do It full-length — could have come out at any time for the last few decades, and it likely would have topped any year-end list it was a part of. It doesn’t reinvent the wheel or, as Machinedrum seemed to do this year, rip the wheels off the car and install magnetic levitators; rather, it invites us to revel in the power of a supremely well-oiled machine, and that’s no small feat. For while it may not ask much of us intellectually (as the title implies, there’s really only one reaction it’s after), “Here’s Your Trance” truly couldn’t have been made by a lesser producer: it’s as if Omar-S has spent his entire discography sorting out the very sounds bodies require to be set in motion, and we revelers are currently proving his hypothesis. And how lucky we are to be part of this experiment — the sort of chain reaction one imagines won’t be slowing down for some time. (Jordan Rothlein)
<< 10-6
<< 15-11
<< 20-16
<< 30-21
++
Staff Charts
Per Bojsen-Moller
01. Omar-S, “Here’s Your Trance, Now Dance!!” [FXHE Recordings]
02. Steffi ft. Virginia, “Yours” [Ostgut Ton]
03. James Blake, “The Wilhelm Scream” [Atlas Recordings]
04. Eduardo De La Calle, “Disco 05A” [Analog Solutions]
05. Zomby, “Natalia’s Song” [4AD]
06. Rick Wilhite, “Music Gonna Save the World Pt. 1” [Music 4 Your Legs]
07. Spector, “Pipe Bomb” [Sound Signature]
08. BNJMN, “Keep The Power Out” [Rush Hour Direct Current]
09. Andy Stott, “North to South” [Modern Love]
10. Crystal Maze, “Crystal Maze” (Chicago Skyway Remix) [aDepth Audio]
11. Frank Martiniq, “Golden Dusk” (Panther Version by Scott Grooves and Kataconda) [Curle Recordings]
12. Vakula, “Dub As Always” [Shevchenko]
13. Eduardo De La Calle, “Disco 06A” [Analog Solutions]
14. Martyn, “Masks” [Brainfeeder]
15. Reggie Dokes, “Haiti” [Royal Oak]
16. Seaside Houz Boyz, “Deephouse Yall” [Crème Organization]
17. Oni Ayhun, “Meets Shangaan Electro” [Honest Jons]
18. Steffi, “Sadness” [Ostgut Ton]
19. Kassem Mosse, “Enoha” [Nonplus Records]
20. Hieroglyphic Being, “Night Thoughts (2AM Remix)” [Sequencias]
21. Oskar Offermann & Moomin, “Nasty Nate” [Aim]
22. Juju & Jordash, “Bleached Roots” [Rush Hour Recordings]
23. John Beltran, “Brilliant Flood (Kassem Mosse & Mix Mup Remix)” [Delsin]
24. Jerzzey Boy, “Get It Started” [My Love Is Underground]
25. Gunnar Jonsson, “Tempelhof Zoo” [Just Another Beat]
26. Mark E, “Call Me (Dixon Edit)” [Merc]
27. BNJMN, “Nightvision (Andy Stott Remix)” [Stolen Kisses]
28. Erdbeerschnitzel, “Always Remain” [3rd Strike]
29. Juniper, “Jovian Planet” [Ominira]
30. Myriadd, “Beyond This Life” [Crème Orginization]
Chris Burkhalter
01. Kassem Mosse, “Untitled A1” [Workshop]
02. Spekter, “Pipe Bomb” [Sound Signature]
03. Move D, “Your Personal Healer” [Uzuri]
04. Rolando, “Junie” [Ostgut Ton]
05. Tin Man, “Nonneo” [Absurd Recotdings]
06. Instra:mental, “From The Start” [Autonomic]
07. Omar-S, “Here’s Your Trance, Now Dance!!” [FXHE]
08. Terrence Dixon, “The Parkhurst” [Thema]
09. Frank Martiniq, “Golden Dusk” (Panther Version by Scott Grooves & Kataconda) [Curle Recordings]
10. Nina Kraviz, “I’m Week” [Rekids]
11. D’Marc Cantu, “Set Free” [M>O>S]
12. Octo Octa, “High Reflection” [100% Silk]
13. Sandwell District, “Speed + Sound (Endless)” [Sandwell District]
14. Chicago Skyway & Dcook, “Lager Nord” [M>O>S]
15. 2562, “Aquatic Family Affair” [When In Doubt]
16. Terekke, “Damn” [L.I.E.S.]
17. Gerd, “Palm Leaves” [Royal Oak]
18. Ethyl & Flor, “Shelter” [Secretsundaze]
19. Lone, “All Those Weird Things” [Wigflex]
20. John Heckle, “The 4th Dimension” [Mathematics]
21. Ital, “Ital’s Theme” [100% Silk]
22. Kowton, “Show Me” [[Naked Lunch]]
23. Reggie Dokes, “Haiti” [Royal Oak]
24. Dijkhuis, “Underground Persistance” [Night Gallery]
25. Gesloten Cirkel, “Yamagic” [Moustache Records]
26. Protect-U, “U-Uno” [Future Times]
27. Benjamin Brunn, “Queen Mary” [Smallville]
28. Trevino, “Chip” [3024]
29. Murphy Jax, “It’s Time To Bump” [Turbo Recordings]
30. Raiders of the Lost Arp, “Night Theme” [Lunar Disko]
Nick Connellan
01. SCB, “Loss” [Aus Music]
02. Steffi, “Yours” [Ostgut Ton]
03. Roman Flügel, “Mulish Crease” [Live At Robert Johnson]
04. Roman Flügel, “Iron Curtain” [Live At Robert Johnson]
05. Marcel Dettmann, “Translation One” [Ostgut Ton]
06. Martyn & Mike Slott, “All Nights” [All City]
07. Todd Terje, “Ragysh” [Running Back]
08. Todd Terje,S”nooze 4 Love” [Running Back]
09. Robag Wruhme, “Ende” [Pampa]
10. Tin Man, “Nonneo” [Absurd]
11. Objekt, “CLK Recovery” [None (white label)]
12. Omar-S, “Here’s Your Trance, Now Dance” [FXHE]
13. RNDM, “Hideaway Lane (Dub)” [Laid]
14. Mathew Jonson, “Learning to Fly” [Minus]
15. Conforce, “Vacuum” [Delsin]
16. Julius Steinhoff, “Mischief of One Kind and Another” [Geography]
17. Legowelt, “Sark Island Acid” [Long Island Electrical Systems]
18. Basic Soul Unit, “Soulspeak” [Dolly]
19. Basic Soul Unit, “Groundswell” [New Kanada]
20. Juniper, “Jovian Planet” [Ominira]
21. Lawrence, “Just Like Heaven” [Smallville]
22. Cottam, “Sunrise Sunset” [Use of Weapons]
23. Dionne, “Back On the Planet” [Smallville]
24. Jacques Greene, “Another Girl” [LuckyMe]
25. Josef Jaktmark, “Breathless” [Crime City Disco]
26. Reggie Dokes, “Haiti” [Royal Oak]
27. Slow Hands, “Sweetest Taboo Cover” [Double Standard]
28. Stefan Lohse, “Fog Patches” [Uncanny Valley]
29. Legowelt, “Moonmist” [None (white label)]
30. Tiger & Woods, “Gin Nation” [Running Back]
Steve Kerr
01. Laurel Halo, “Head” [Hippos In Tanks]
02. Gesloten Cirkel, “Yamagic” [Moustache Techno]
03. Moomin, “Watermelon (Marvin Dash Edit)” [Aim]
04. Ital, “Culture Clubs” [Lovers Rock]
05. D’Marc Cantu, “Set Free” [M>O>S Recordings]
06. Prostitune, “NJ Turnpike” [Just Another Beat]
07. Minus Yogis, “All Tied Up (Juju & Jordash Gospel Mix)” [Jansen Jardin]
08. Kassem Mosse, “Untitled A1” [Workshop]
09. Terekke, “Damn” [L.I.E.S.]
10. Burial, “Stolen Dog” [Hyperdub]
11. Legowelt, “Poverties Paradise” [Echovolt Records]
12. Virgo Four, “It’s A Crime (Caribou Remix)” [Rush Hour Recordings]
13. Spekter, “Pipe Bomb” [Sound Signature]
14. Protect-U, “World Music” [Future Times]
15. Invisible Conga People, “Can’t Feel My Knees” [DFA]
16. Genius of Time, “Houston We Have A Problem” [Royal Oak]
17. Vakula, “Dub As Always” [Shevchenko]
18. Juju & Jordash, “Chelm is Burning” [Golf Channel Recordings]
19. Jhene Aiko, “Do Better Blues Pt. 2” (Marvin’s Room) [Self-Released]
20. Hype Williams, “Rise Up” [Hyperdub]
21. B-Tracks, “Specialize” [Supply Records]
22. George Fitzgerald, “Silhouette” (John Roberts Remix) [Aus Music]
23. CFCF, “Looking So” [UNO]
24. Reggie Dokes, “Haiti” [Royal Oak]
25. Abdulla Rashim, “Asayita 1” [Abdulla Rashim Records]
26. MD, “Megapolitan Soul” [Not On Label]
27. Omar-S, “Here’s Your Trance, Now Dance!” [FXHE]
28. Jay Simon, “Faith” [Wild Oats]
29. Mark Ernestus, “Mark Ernestus Meets BBC” [Honest Jon’s Records]
30. Panda Bear, “Surfers Hymn” (Actress Primitive Patterns Extended Mix) [Kompakt]
Anton Kipfel
01. The Citizen’s Band, “West 42nd” [Live At Robert Johnson]
02. D’Marc Cantu, “Set Free” [M>O>S Recordings]
03. EQD, “Equalized#005-B” [Equalized]
04. Crystal Maze, “Crystal Maze” (Chicago Skyway Remix) [aDepth Audio]
05. Matthew Styles, “Polee” [Running Back]
06. Hitsafe, “Let The Acid Out” (Tin Man Remix) [Shaddock Records]
07. Gesloten Cirkel, “Yamagic” [Moustache Techno]
08. Machinedrum, “Now U Know The Deal 4 Real” [Planet Mu]
09. Julius Steinhoff, “Mischief Of One Kind And Another” [Geography Records]
10. Storm Queen, “It Goes On” [Environ]
11. Roman Flügel, “Iron Curtain” [Live At Robert Johnson]
12. Martyn, “Masks” [Brainfeeder]
13. Oskar Offermann & Moomin, “Nasty Nate” [Aim]
14. Burial, “Stolen Dog” [Hyperdub]
15. Todd Terje, “Snooze 4 Love” [Running Back]
16. Jonsson/Alter, “En_Livfull Skildring” [Kontra-Musik]
17. BNJMN, “See Thru Stars” [Rush Hour Recordings]
18. Ital, “Ital’s Theme” [100% Silk]
19. Moomin, “Watermelon” (Marvin Dash Edit) [Aim]
20. Recloose, “Tecumseh” [Rush Hour Recordings]
21. Legowelt, “Sark Island Acid” [L.I.E.S.]
22. Genius of Time, “Houston We Have A Problem” [Royal Oak]
23. Steffi ft. Virginia, “Yours” [Ostgut Ton]
24. Levon Vincent, “Tyner” [Soul People Music]
25. Gerd, “Palm Leaves” [Royal Oak]
26. DJ Duke, “Summer Madness” [Self Defence]
27. 2562, “Wasteland” (Head High Remix) [When In Doubt]
28. Nebraska, “The Mountains” [Rush Hour Recordings]
29. Contakt, “Not Forgotten” [Local Action Records]
30. Kruse & Nürnberg, “Daze Without You” [Liebe*Detail]
Kuri Kondrak
01. Protect-U, “World Music [Future Times]
02. Anthony Nicholson, “Suntek” [Neroli]
03. Alex Israel, “Gaz 13 feat. Etiku Dancer” [W.T. Records]
04. Terrekke, “Damn” [L.I.E.S.]
05. Juju & Jordash, “Chelm Is Burning” [Golf Channel]
06. Dijkhuis, “Salt Caramel” [Night Gallery]
07. Kevin Reynolds, “Liaisons” [Nsyde]
08. Tin Man, “Nonneo “(Donato Dozzy Remix) [Absurd]
09. Fred P, “Somewhere” [Soul People]
10. Omar S, “Here’s Your Trance, Now Dance!!” [FXHE]
11. Juju & Jordash, “Bleached Roots” [Rush Hour]
12. Terrence Dixon, “City Nights” [Thema]
13. M.D., “Megapolitan Soul” [X]
14. John Heckle, “The 4th Dimension” [Mathematics]
15. Esteban Adame, “I’ll Never Give Up” [Underground Quality]
16. C-Beams, “Thumbling” [Uncanny Valley]
17. Mark Du Mosch, “Blue Sphere” [Tabernacle]
18. R-A-G, “Harold’s Invention” [M>O>S]
19. D’Marc Cantu, “Set Free” [M>O>S Deep]
20. Spekter, “Pipe Bomb” [Sound Signature]
21. Kassem Mosse, untitled A [Workshop]
22. o1o, “Beat Datazz” [Further]
23. Tangula, “Jebisu” [Diametric]
24. Royalty, “Twilight Fades” [Five Easy Pieces]
25. Paul Bennett, “After All The Tomorrows Became Yesterdays” [Modernista]
26. The Florian Muller Project, “Jam With It” (The Olverwho Factory Vocal Remix) [Terpsichore]
27. Eduardo De La Calle, “The Concept Sampler [Analog Solutions]
28. Martyn/Mike Slott, “Pointing Fingers” [All City]
29. DJ Yoav B, “Temptation” [Syncrophone]
30. Shokazulu, “Part 4” [2000 Black]
Chris Miller
01. SCB, “Loss” [Aus Music]
02. Tin Man, “Nonneo” [Absurd Recordings]
03. Omar-S, “Here’s Your Trance, Now Dance!!” [FXHE]
04. Levon Vincent, “Man or Mistress” [Novel Sound]
05. Tin Man, “Rockers Ravers” [Salon]
06. Ital, “Ital’s Theme” [100% Silk]
07. DJ Qu, “Get Sum” [Strength Music]
08. Sepalcure, “Taking You Back” [Hotflush Recordings]
09. Andy Stott, “Posers” [Modern Love]
10. Kassem Mosse, “Workshop 12 A1” [Workshop]
11. Legowelt, “Sark Island Acid” [Long Island Electrical Systems]
12. Juju & Jordash, “Chelm Is Burning” [Golf Channel Recordings]
13. Hunee, “A Leaf For Hand In Hand” [Ostgut Ton]
14. EQD, “Equalized #005 B” [Equalized]
15. Machinedrum, “She Died There” [Planet Mu]
16. Ital, “Only For Tonight (Dubout Saviour’s Love Megamix)” [100% Silk]
17. Pearson Sound, “Stifle” [Hessle Audio]
18. Mark Ernestus, “Mark Ernestus Meets Shangaan Electro” [Honest Jon’s]
19. Black Jazz Consortium, “Stay” [Soul People Music]
20. Joy O, “Jels” [Hotflush Recordings]
21. Midland, “Through Motion” [Aus Music]
22. Martyn, “We Are You In The Future” [Brainfeeder]
23. Reagenz, “The Labyrinth” [Ostgut Ton]
24. Harkin & Raney, “Workin’ & Steamin’” [Throne of Blood]
25. Steffi feat. Virginia, “Yours” [Ostgut Ton]
26. D’Marc Cantu, “Set Free” [MOS Deep]
27. Versalife, “Solenoids of Insomnia” [Clone West Coast]
28. Octo Octa, “High Reflections” [100% Silk]
29. Patrice Scott, “3AM” [Sistrum]
30. Unknown Artist, “Sicko Cell” [Swamp81]
Steve Mizek
01. Todd Terje, “Snooze 4 Love” [Running Back]
02. Storm Queen, “It Goes On” [Environ]
03. Osker Offermann & Moomin, “Nasty Nate” [Aim]
04. Hercules & Love Affair, “My House” [Mochi Mochi]
05. BNJMN, “See Thru Stars” [Rush Hour Recordings]
06. Tin Man, “Nonneo” [Absurd Recordings]
07. Gerd, “Palm Leaves” [Royal Oak]
08. RNDM, “Hideaway Lane” (Dub) [Laid]
09. Roman Flügel, “Bahia Blues Bootcamp” [Dial]
10. Ital, “Ital’s Theme” [100% Silk]
11. Lauer, “HR Boss” [Live At Robert Johnson]
12. John Heckle, “What Once Was” [Mathematics Recordings]
13. Portable, “Fadeaway” [Perlon]
14. The Citizen’s Band, “West 42nd” [Live At Robert Johnson]
15. Ricardo Miranda, “Urbanism” [Noble Square Recordings]
16. Gesloten Cirkel, “Yamagic” [Moustache Techno]
17. Cuthead, “The Sinner” [Uncanny Valley]
18. Maxi Mill, “To The Next” [Rush Hour Recordings]
19. The Weeknd, “What You Need” [self-released]
20. SCB, “Loss” [Aus Music]
21. Peverelist, “Dance Til the Police Come” [Hessle Audio]
22. Nebraska, “The Cruives” [Rush Hour Recordings]
23. Cavalier, “Lipizzan” [Drumpoet Community]
24. OCP, “Little More” [Aim]
25. Prostitune, “NJ Turnpike” [Just Another Beat]
26. Kevin Reynolds, “Liasons” [Nsyde Music]
27. Morning Factory, “Fantasy Check” [Royal Oak]
28. FaltyDL, “Voyager” [Planet Mu]
29. Julius Steinhoff, “Mischief Of One Kind and Another” [Geography Records]
30. Spekter, “Pipe Bomb” [Sound Signature]
Jordan Rothlein
01. Tin Man, “Lost In LA” [Salon]
02. Vakula, “Picture Of You” [Dekmantel]
03. Omar-S, “Here’s Your Trance, Now Dance!!” [FXHE]
04. Machinedrum, “Come1” [Planet Mu]
05. Levon Vincent, “Man Or Mistress” [Novel Sound]
06. Roman Flügel, “Brasil” [Dial]
07. Tin Man, “Nonneo (Donato Dozzy Remix)” [Acid Test]
08. Legowelt, “Poverties Paradise” [Echovolt]
09. SCB, “Loss” [Aus Music]
10. Sepalcure, “Taking You Back” [Hotflush]
11. Tin Man, “Nonneo” [Acid Test]
12. Steffi feat. Virginia, “Yours” [Ostgut Ton]
13. Archie Pelago, “ArcJoe” [Slime Recordings]
14. Boddika, “Soul What” [Swamp81]
15. Cottam, “Deep Deep Down” [Aus Music]
16. Ital, “Culture Clubs” [Lovers Rock]
17. Mark Ernestus Meets BBC, “Version 1” [Honest Jon’s]
18. Morphosis, “Too Far (Marcel Dettmann Definition 1)” [Delsin]
19. FaltyDL, “Voyager” [Planet Mu]
20. Harkin & Raney, “Workin’ & Steamin'” [Throne Of Blood]
21. Gerd, “Palm Leaves” [Royal Oak]
22. John Osborn, “Epoch4” [TONSTAAFL]
23. Lauer, “H.R. Boss” [Live At Robert Johnson]
24. Incyde, “Axis” [Hotflush]
25. Kassem Mosse, “Untitled (A1 – Workshop 12)” [Workshop]
26. Mathew Jonson, “Dayz” [Crosstown Rebels]
27. Holger Zilske, “E Preciso Acreditar (Axel Boman Remix)” [Acid Test]
28. Achterbahn D’Amour, “Trance Me Up (I Wanna Go Higher)” [Acid Test]
29. Scuba, “Adrenalin” [Hotflush]
30. Burial, “Stolen Dog” [Hyperdub]
Andrew Ryce
01. Blawan, “Getting Me Down” [Not On Label]
02. Andy Mac, “Everytime” [Punch Drunk]
03. SCB, “Loss” [Aus]
04. Kahn, “Like We Used To” [Punch Drunk]
05. Mosca, “Done Me Wrong” [Numbers]
06. M83, “Midnight City” [Mute]
07. Scuba, “Adrenalin” [Hotflush]
08. P Money & Blacks, “Boo You” [Butterz]
09. 2562, “Aquatic Family Affair,” [When In Doubt]
10. Kevin McPhee, “Get In With You” [nakedlunch]
11. XI, “Gamma Rain” [Orca]
12. Boddika, “Soul What?” [Swamp81]
13. Pearson Sound, “Deep Inside Refix” [Night Slugs]
14. Hackman, “Close” [Greco-Roman]
15. Peverelist, “Dance Till The Police Come” [Hessle Audio]
16. James Fox, “New Jack Swing” [Well Rounded Housing Project]
17. T Williams, “Break Broke” [Local Action]
18. LV, “Northern Line” [Keysound]
19. West Norwood Cassette Library, “Get Lifted”
[West Norwood Cassette Library]
20. Distal, “Angry Acid” [Tectonic]
21. Jon Convex, “Falling Again” [3024]
22. Steffi, “Yours” [Ostgut-Ton]
23. xxxy, “Ordinary Things” [Ten Thousand Yen]
24. Maya Jane Coles, “Focus Now” [2020 Vision]
25. Spectr, “Dance 4 Me” [Roska Kicks & Snares]
26. Terror Danjah, “Full Attention” [Hardrive]
27. Paul Woolford & Psycatron, “Stolen” [Hotflush]
28. Kassem Mosse, “Enoha” [NonPlus+]
29. Bulb, “Tenderness” [Kokeshi]
30. Pangaea, “Inna Daze” [Hessle Audio]
Harry Sword
01. Mark Ernestus, “Mark Ernestus meets BBC” [Honest Jons]
02. Regis, “In a Syrian Tounge” [Blackest Ever Black]
03. Peverelist, “Dance till the Police Come” [Hessle Audio]
04. Nochexx, “Savage Herald” [Ramp]
05. AnD, “Hydrothermal” [Idle Hands]
06. Kowton, “Keep Walking” [Naked Lunch]
07. Andy Stott, “passed me by” [Modern Love]
08. Kaseem Mosse, “Workshop 12” [Workshop]
09. Blawan, “what you do with what you have” [R and S]
10. G.H, “Ground” [Modern Love]
11. Pigon, “Sunrise Industry” [Dial]
12. Marcel Dettman, “Planning” [Ostgut]
13. Floorplan, “Baby Baby” [M Plant]
14. Pacific Blue, “Industry Part 1” [Pacific Blue]
15. Midland, “Bring Joy” [More Music]
16. Paul Woolford and Psycatron, “Stolen” [Hotflush]
17. Boddika, “Electron” [Swamp 81]
18. Martyn, “Masks” [Brainfeeder]
19. Basic Soul Unit, “soulspeak” [Dolly]
20. Norman Nodge, “The Happenstance” [Ostgut]
21. Cooly G, “Its Serious” [Hyperdub]
22. D1, “Subzero” [Hessle Audio]
23. Legowelt, “Sark Island Acid” [Long Island Electrical Systems]
24. Bassclef, “Rollercoasters of the Heart” [Punch Drunk]
25. Ecoplecz, “Daytron Romance” [Mordant Music]
26. Shifted, “Control” [Mote Evolver]
27. Planetary Assault Systems, “The Messenger” [Mote Evolver]
28. Raime, “Told and Collapsed” [Blackest Ever Black]
29. Andy Stott, “we stay together” [Modern Love]
30. Jon Convex, “Convexations” [2562]
Great list ppl.
nobody has any love for Julio Bashmore?
Of all the zillion lists published this year, this is the one I enjoyed the most. Some funny bits (“…as Machinedrum seemed to do this year, rip the wheels off the car and install magnetic levitators…”), some tracks I missed and a deserved number one. Cheers!
Great list. I just looked back and it turns out I own 10 of your top 30.
wow, “here’s your trance” is my number 1, too.
awful list
Not enough Crosstown Rebels?
hah, please. not enough love for dj qu, deepchord, move d, john heckle, conforce, blawan, cosmin trg, etc etc… all had great releases this year, far better than some of the tripe in here.
As always, this list aggregates what received the most votes and is only 30 tracks long. Check the staff lists, there is plenty of what you’re after that just didn’t crack the top 30.
YES!!!
thanks for being dope- and having sick track selections-
your page i look at- for the so to say
“hot shit” sometimes i get busy and loose track of music for a a week or two- and all i gotta do is go to your blog- another great place to check in-
thanks for always remembering techno and minimalism
This is a great, great list and even better those individual charts. Blawan does it for me this year.
Can’t believe this comment will be the only mention of the Disco Nihilist record on Running Back.
great lists, and great job this year! thank you!
Great list. I’m not convinced by the Omar-S track, but each to their own. Surprised you named the Tin Man track, simply because the truly immense Dozzy remix towers over everything else released this year IMO.
thanks for the mention and support LWE – Micky
omar s track comes from the deepest corners of human soul. that’s why not everyone is instantly hooked by its anthemic force while hearing it for the first time, me included. it’s not a track for home listening. it’s a 5 a.m. floor burning love chanting joy spreading killer tune. its fame will be growing over years.
The complete absence of 2562 in most of these year end lists is baffling to me. Also, Blawan’s “Shader” which has some of the most inventive drum programming I’ve heard in years…but I guess “Getting Me Down” is the one getting all the attention.
That aside, this is probably one of the better lists out there. The entry about It Goes On by Storm Queen is spot on re – using vocals to actually make a “song” instead of just slapping them on top of some weak ass tech house beat.
great list as always. really surprised to not see any mention of cosmin trg in the final list or in the staff charts.
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