Ahead of the release of Most Rated 2014, selector Andy Daniell talks us through some of his favourite cuts from the compilation.
Dusky - Careless
Easily two of the highest quality pioneers in today’s deep house movement, the ever awesome Dusky are back with a new EP on AUS. This is the title track from it and rightly so because it is sonically massive and has that trademark Dusky bassline combined with a killer vocal hook. This one was really starting to gain steam at the end of the Ibiza season and is currently Number One on Beatport, which is amazing to see in a chart normally dominated by EDM.
GotSome feat. Get Along Gang - Bassline
Where to start on this one! I think this record is going to be huge. It has already had support from the likes of the industry’s biggest taste makers such as Annie Mac, B.Traits, Pete Tong, Mistajam and many, many more. The vocal on this one just gets under your skin and then when the bass hits... wow! The lyrics are infectious and it won’t be long until everyone’s singing “this is my bassline, my bassline!”
Green Velvet - Bigger Than Prince (The Martinez Brothers Remix)
This is another iconic vocal from this year and has even been appearing on many a t-shirt! Green Velvet is the king of slightly mad but ultimately amazing records and this is the perfect example of this. The red hot Martinez Brothers have come off a stellar season as DC10 residents and also turned in this killer remix for this record, now all together – “walk around like you’re bigger than prince!”
Agoria - Scala
This record is a bit of a sleeper, I think this will get bigger and bigger over Christmas and into the New Year. Coming from the super cool Innervisions camp of Âme and Dixon, this one has that amazing warmth and depth which usually defines the labels releases but then it breaks into a truly uplifting and massive piano line. I saw Pete Tong drop this one at ADE in Amsterdam and it tore the roof off!
Osunlade - Dionne
The ever excellent Osunlade dropped this one on vinyl a few months back and just let it bubble. A few people started picking up on it over the summer and then since the recent digital release I’ve been hearing it everywhere. It is another true reflection of the man’s unparalleled and unique production dexterity and superbly carries the summer’s warm upbeat vibes into the winter. Could it be this year’s Andres ‘New For U’?
Cristoph - Guffaz
My current get out of jail free record when I play out, if your set needs a lift just drop this because it never fails to raise the roof. A few people were sleeping on this record but the real diggers such as Hot Since 82, Pete Tong, Huxley and Groove Armada have all been rinsing this one out. It is exploding with energy and a monstrous bassy weapon. I predict big things for this guy!
Route 94 - In My Heart
Another producer I predict very big things for is Route 94. He is incredibly talented both with his original works and his remixes. His remixes of Storm Queen ‘Look Right Through’ and MK ‘Always’ are both massive out, but for this compilation I wanted to show a record from his jam packed and quality ‘Fly 4 Life EP’ that we’ve just snapped up for Defected. Love hearing this one out!
Trikk - Floorwave
I went to Pacha in the summer for Solomun’s night and caught Miss Kitten playing and she was a revelation! One of the best sets I’d heard all summer, she dropped this one and was even singing it live. I tried tracking it down for ages thinking it was a Miss Kitten tune but finally found it on Catz N Dogz awesome ‘Friends Will Carry You Home’ compilation (which I had on my hard drive all along! Typical!) Had to put this on this compilation in case anyone else had the same situation!
Dinky - Falling Angel
This one was released on the brilliant Visionquest label led by Seth Troxler, Ryan Crosson, Shaun Reeves and Lee Curtiss. I just love this record simply because it sounds so different to everything else out there at the moment and that makes me a massive fan. The song and delivery of the record are just amazing and also the fact it’s dark and eerie vocals are Dinky’s herself just makes the entire package incredibly special.
Shadow Child ft Tymer – 23
I have to admit I was recently reminded of this Shadow Child banger thanks to its appearance on Grand Theft Auto 5. I was driving around on a pavement minding my own business as this came on the stereo and I had totally forgotten just how good it is making it an obvious choice for this compilation. Also if you like this tune I seriously recommend you check out Shadow Child’s awesome remix of Yousef ‘I See’ which has surfaced recently!
