ASHE - Morning Star
ASHE has always captured my attention with his soul stinging cinematic pieces, and, at least to date, this is his best yet. With strings swelling into crashing waves, the buoyancy of "Morning Star" invokes the feeling of flying, leaving this reality for a colourful dream, much like the trip to Neverland.
Boo Shaka - Bass Jam
Of all the new pieces from 10 Years Of Cheap Thrills, this one is my favourite. Big bold grooves, electro talk box allure, and punchy percussion - it has everything that originally drew me into electronic music. A true bop, the cherry on top comes in the reset with the vaporous vocal chops.
Booka Shade - Rosebud
The legendary duo released a lot of new music this year, and several could've made the cut, but this brings exactly the kind of brilliance that makes me love them so. Epic in its wild, almost natural feel, it is as though you're witnessing a day in the life of an alien planet from sunrise to sunset.
Boy 8-Bit - Fractal
(As featured on EFYE) The kind of bleepy brilliance I just cannot get enough of. I'll never grow tired of these kind of crispy, crunchy breaks, such scintillating synths, or the punctuating, wild sound effects. Maybe I'm just glad to have Boy 8-Bit still making music, but that's what these lists are for, right?
Cher vs Purple Disco Machine - Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Male Stripper After Midnight) [Barry Harris Club Mix]
Still kind of stunned how much I like this and how well it works. Obviously Cher can be divisive, but I don't think you can argue with how well she fit with ABBA's catalog, nor how well Barry Harris blended her with Purple Disco Machine. You won't find any mashups in the Top 100, but I just cannot leave this sensational club mix alone. Absolutely busting at the seams, I cannot imagine how awesome this would be with the right crowd. So much unabashed and unabated energy. A true gem.
Claptone - In The Night (ft. Ben Duffy)
Still those first few bars are enough to leave me in a puddle. Not just the number of strings, but their design and the way they're built around the piano and Ben Duffy's voice. Clearly the whole thing leaves me speechless. That said, I want more, and you could certainly argue the 11 month old production has lost of bit of its initial sheen. Still, this had to be shared once more.
DJ Snake & Mercer - Let's Get Ill (Ape Drums & Noiz Flip)
The original is a banger no doubt, but it just seemed to lose its edge rather quickly. However that's where Ape Drums and Noiz come in. The quality of the percussion brings back that kind of killer, slash and burn brilliance that the original partnership portrayed. From the club to the jungle, this one is wild.
First Love - Don't Say Goodnight (FunkyDeps Edit)
Disco has been huge for me this year, and of all the edits I gorged on this is without a doubt one of my favourites. But then why isn't it in the Top 100? It's just a little too close to the original in my ears. But still how about the pipes that First Love show off? Grab that free download and dance the night away!
Honey Beard - Dancing Alone
Of all of the people I've met through my time doing Bump In The Hump, Gaz and Tom are two of my favourites. This new EP is fantastic through and through, and while this was originally my favourite, the story behind "Oh My Friend" had be wavering. However once I saw "Dancing Alone" live I knew my first impression was right. Whether it's the Nietzschean philosophy or the seeming mixture of The Cure, LCD Soundsystem and Joy Division, I just cannot get enough of this one.
Justin Timberlake - SexyBack (Scissors Remix)
(As featured on EFYE) Remixes of JT are plentiful, but there's just something about the quality of this one that I cannot escape. There's more than enough of the original allure, but it's still funky fresh. It's not just slapped together but thoughtfully sewn into a brilliant bootleg. As I listen to this again, I'm struck by the simple, yet superb, example of this in the final 10 or so seconds, with the fake ending. It's this kind of careful production that more artists ought to strive for when taking on such a classic.
Khen - Closing Doors
I've never enjoyed Anjunadeep more than this year, and while you'll find at least one more in the Top 100, this one is among my favourites. Not even a week old, it's still growing on me. And growing really is the keyword for this track. Slow but steady its magic dust leaves you in dumbfounded awe.
Mousse T. ft. Cleah - Melodie (Tensnake Remix)
(As featured on EFYE) Always liable to unleash a mystifying magical remix, Tensnake has done just that with "Melodie." The kind of reach for the sky, dance all night kind of ecstasy inducing track that nails that very same lyrical content. A comfortable nostalgic feel that thrives through beautiful bass, charming chords and pleasing percussion.
Robyn - Missing U
Some vocalists can tap into the heart and soul of their listeners, and I'd argue that no one does it quite like Robyn. If you ever enjoyed anything she'd done before or simply loved anything or anyone, there's no way you heard this triumphant return without bated breath, a skipped heartbeat or tear in your eye.
Sammy Bananas - Cherry Soda (ft. Kaleena Zanders)
(As featured on EFYE) Such a sensational, sublime combination these two have created. Sammy Bananas' backing is both beautiful and bouncy and Kaleena Zanders is in top form. There is no doubt this is one of the best blends of house, disco and pop this year. More than just enjoyable, its incredibly infectious.
Sinjin Hawke & Zora Jones - God
(As featured on EFYE) An undeniable power duo, this one has everything that we've come to love from the Fractal Fantasy founders. Wild, unique, killer club craftsmanship with explosive energy and their brand of unreal, alien allure. Not the only Sinjin you'll find in this year end wrap.
Start Sign - Bill Nye
A head-spinner as soon as I heard it in OAKS' episode of My Mixtape (here). Has a bit of that club weapon feel, but it's not just nifty sampling, that bass line really goes, and so do the breaks. That said, I think it's the percussion that really makes this such a wonder of science.
Tiga & Clarian - Stay Cool (ABSOLUTE. Remix)
Several of my favourite artists of the year appear in what may be my favourite remix package of the year. This really is one of the coolest creations of the year, and ABSOLUTE. delivered not just the best of the bunch, but his best of the year. Still in a state of shock every time that bass-line hits. Why haven't I heard anything like this before?!
TYNAN & thook - Voidless
Another artist that deserves a nod not just for an incredible year, but some of the coolest sound I've ever heard. Could be "Forest" or any one of the tracks from Natural Instincts, but this takes the thook cake for me. The 4 minute run-time gives me the completeness I'm often searching for in his productions, while still maintaining that incredibly viscous, raw style I love him for.