In the week that sees the release of Most Rated 2013 - our annual round-up of the year's biggest and best records - compiler Andy Daniell talks us through some of his personal favourites on the album.

Tensnake ft Syron – Mainline
Tensnake is an incredibly talented artist. ‘Mainline’ feels like the natural follow up to 2010’s Coma Cat. This one features rising star Syron on vocals. Very 90’s in vibe and getting bigger every day. Make sure you check the video to see how 90’s this gets!



Disclosure – My Intention Is War
What a year Disclosure have had. They exploded onto the scene at the start of the year with their incredible remix of Jessie Ware’s  ‘Running’. Since then every release from them has been pretty next level resulting in their latest single ‘Latch’ hitting the national charts at number 14. This record was my pick though as it just has that awesome underground house vibe but with that Disclosure twist. Massive.



Infinity Ink – Infinity
I’ve been a huge fan of Infinity Ink since their awesome ‘Games’ release but they stepped it up a gear with ‘Infinity’. I love the incredible vocal layer in the chorus & of course the bassline is hooky as hell. A real Ibiza anthem & one of the essential records of the year.



Hot Natured ft Ali Love – Benediction
Hot Natured is house music’s supergroup consisting of Jamie Jones, Lee Foss, Luca C & Ali Love. Jamie has never been bigger. Lee has been coming into his own as well & Luca & Ali have been smashing it themselves with their Infinity Ink project. This record ended up entering the UK top 40 with no video, no radio plugging or anything like that. A huge achievement & testament to the quality of the music & a great sign of things to come.



Nathan Barato – Hard Werq
I first heard this record at Marco Carola’s stunning Music On party in Ibiza & it just stood out on that system as being something special. I managed to sneak a peak at his laptop to see the track name & tracked Nathan down online & managed to  getthis record locked for Defected. This track on big system is just something else. The bottom end of HEEEEAAAAVY!!!!



Candi Staton – Hallelujah Anyway (Larse Vocal)
Definitely one of the records of the year for me. Candi is a total legend in my eyes. Her discography says it all, ‘You Got The Love’, ‘Young Hearts’ & so much more...So any new music from her is always special. This record’s original form is more gospel but Larse made it extra special:stripped it back & turned it into the most emotiveand positive record I’ve heard for a long time.

Gregor Porter – 1960 What? (Oplopo Kick & Bass Rerub)
They don’t make them like this anymore, or maybe they do. A throwback to another era andawesome live.Horns, drums, bass & a vocal dripping in funk & soul. I could listen to this record all day!



Rampa ft Meggy – Everything
Rampa is an exceptionally talented producer from Kienemusik’s camp in Germany. This record has the most sexy & risque lyrics, but is also catchy as hell. We signed this record & got the new remixes done & I’ve been so pleased to see this record get a second life & the attention I felt it deserved. Look out for Rampa in 2013. I think he could be big!



Luca C & Brigante ft Roisin Murphy – Flashlight (Solomun Remix)
Luca C’s 3rd appearance in these track notes gives you an idea of how good a year he’s had. Not content with being part of Hot Natured & Infinity Ink, Luca has also been making incredible records with Brigante for a while now. Hearing Roisin on a record is always a pleasure as well. Solomun was arguably THE DJ in Ibiza this summer & this mix shows exactly why he got the attention he did. Superb.



Lee Curtis – Body Twitch
Competing with Rampa for most risqué lyrics of the year here I, but Lee edges it I think. This record was huge in Ibiza & came on the influential Visionquest imprint. Deep but very very sexy. Love this one.