We take a closer look at some of the standout tracks that feature on the new Most Rated 2012 compilation.
End of year albums are always a tricky proposition. In reality, it’s a bit of a stretch to encapsulate an entire year’s worth of music within a single release. So rather than make that speculative assertion, we’d rather say that Most Rated 2012 is a comprehensive look back over the last 12 months in house music, featuring some of what we consider to be the biggest and best tunes over that period. And while some might argue over inclusions or omissions (and we hope you do) we’d like to think that with the amount of music we’ve been exposed to in 2011, we’re reasonably well qualified to make those selections.
Now, in the week that the album is released, we’ve picked out 10 tracks from the compilation that really stand out, and explain why they’ve made the cut. We hope you agree, with some of them at least…
Intruder (A Murk Production) – Amame (Long Ass Mix)
Amame was Pete Tong latest selection to be awarded the accolade of Essential New Tune, with the Radio 1 selector stating that the track was “an unsung underground hero of the year” and that he’d “shoot myself in the foot if I didn’t give the award to this tune before the end of this year.” He went on to say that he was “predicting that it’s going to get even bigger at the beginning of next year..." Couldn’t have said it better ourselves…a 100% essential inclusion and surely one of the records of the year.
Deetron – Starblazer
Supported by influential tastemaker DJs such as Seth Troxler, Dennis Ferrer, Reboot and Steve Bug to name just a few, Deetron took piano house to a whole new level with Starblazer – an unashamedly feel good house music anthem with one foot firmly planted in the deeper shades of techno.
Maceo Plex – Falling
Eric Estornel has had a quite phenomenal year as Maceo Plex. His Life Index album dropping on Crosstown Rebels back in January announced his musical direction, and he has subsequently walked that path with ever increasing confidence. Falling – released by the equally meteoric Visionquest imprint –perfectly blends his trademark warm bass with Estornel’s breathy, poignant vocals and further increases his reputation as an artist at the very top of his game.
Tom Middleton – Cicadas (Maya Jane Coles Remix)
Back in late 2010, Maya Jane Coles was a relatively unknown name. Fast forward to the end of 2011 and she’s one of the most in-demand DJ and producers on the planet, with records like her reworking of Cicadas paving her way. The first release on the now established Lo:Rise imprint, Cicadas was one of the records that marked the start of her ascensions towards greatest, and remains one of her finest pieces of work to date.
Noir & Haze – Around (Solomun Vox)
We previously included this in our run down of the biggest tracks from Ibiza this summer, but we couldn’t really avoid mentioning it again. Arguably the most innovative and well-received remix of the year, the reaction when Solomun dropped this at the Mixmag party at this year’s ADE says everything you need to know about this record in two short minutes. Huge.
Todd Terry & The Gypsymen – Babarabatiri (Copyright Remix)
Originally a hit for the legendary Todd Terry & The Gypsymen back in 2001, Copyright took hold of the classic Babarabatiri, reworking it to perfection. Supported by some seriously big – and eclectic – names including Axwell, Paul Van Dyk, Mark Knight, Riva Starr and more, this was huge on the terraces and beaches of Ibiza this year, as was an essential inclusion.
The Shapeshifters – Nothing But Love For You
If you’ve been following The Shapeshifters for the last few years, you’ll know at least one thing about them; no-one does a big, vocal, piano-led house anthem quite like them. Their live sets are highly energetic, uplifting experiences and Nothing But Love For You is a typically slick example of their unique style. Created in collaboration with veteran singer Charles Dockins under his C Dock alias, this house music on a quite epic scale.
Osunlade – Envision
It may have been the Ame Remix which the majority of DJs picked up on, but the original Yoruba Soul mix was where it all started. Osunlade proves once again that he has no equal when it comes to creating organic, intricate rhythms, and with a fresh set of remixes coming early next year it looks like this deep house anthem will be around for some time to come.
Jean Jacque Smoothie – 2 People (DCUP Remix)
It’s been more than 10 years since Jean-Jacques Smoothie’s Minnie Riperton-sampling 2 People was released, and DCUP’s remix has done an exceptional job of reworking the seminal house track for a fresh generation. The fact that it sat proudly atop the Beatport Nu Disco/Indie Dance chart for more than three weeks goes some way to showing just how well received this remix was. "When I heard the DCUP remix I was so glad we re-recorded the vocal” said Jean Jacque Smoothie. “His mix is really quirky and different. I love the way he just did his own thing and created a quirky, sexy chilled out funk mix. It's my wife's favourite and who am I to argue with that?" We wouldn’t dare…
4th Measure Men – 4 You (Maya Jane Coles Remix)
Another remix from Maya, another utterly sublime inclusion. When she first burst onto the scene, many people commented on the sonic closeness of her productions to those of MK, and while it was later confirmed the veteran US producer was not a direct influence on her productions, there can be no denying that this remix had the potential to be a match made in heaven. Unsurprisingly, she failed to disappoint, and 4 You has to be seen as a career highlight in a short career that has been positively littered with them.
All the above tracks are included, unmixed and DJ-friendly on Most Rated 2012 - Out Now
