We reveal the top 10 tracks of the year, as voted for by you.
In the year that arguably saw the biggest ‘true house music’ revival since the scene first began, songs were unarguably king, a fact that has been borne out by the results of our Most Rated Track of 2011 poll. Out of the top 10 tracks, more than half have what we’d describe as full vocals, while all have some kind of vocal hook…with the notable exception of the track occupying the very top spot.
Thank you to everyone who voted in the poll. In truth, reducing an entire year’s worth of musical output to just 10 tracks doesn’t really do the last 12 months justice, however we’re incredibly proud to have been involved in every track on the list, and look forward to bringing you more exceptional music in 2012.
And so, to the results…
10. Copyright feat. Imaani – Story Of My Life (DJ Chus & David Penn Remix)
Copyright are all about the songs. If you look back at their catalogue of records you won't find a meaningless vocal among them, something the duo pay homage too with their sympathetic treatment of this Hidden Agenda vocal. ‘Story of My Life’ epitomised Copyright’s approach to their music, while DJ Chus & David Penn transformed the original into a main room anthem which was a constant presence in Ibiza and beyond all summer long.
09. Soul Cartel – Marimba
2011 saw the return of Copyright’s imprint Copyright Recordings after a hiatus of several years. The timing couldn’t have been better, as every record released on the label seemed to strike a chord with DJs and clubbers around the globe. ‘Marimba’ was a perfect of the afro-house sound the label encapsulated.
08. Copyright feat. Shovell – Kama Yeah (Roul & Doors Remix)
Another entry for the boys from Blighty, this time in collaborator with everyone’s favourite drum warrior and tribal chanter, Shovell. Dutch duo Roul & Doors transformed what was originally a pretty deep affair into a synth-laden, uplifting main room anthem.
07. Roul and Doors & Michael Mendoza – Trinidad
2011 was a breakthrough year for Roul & Doors, with a handful of tracks all worthy of inclusion on this list, but none more so than ‘Trinidad’. The lead line is simplicity personified, but in that simplicity lays its appeal. A festival anthem throughout the summer, this capped off a glorious year for the Dutch duo and signalled that there are even bigger things to come in 2012.
06. Roy Davis Jr feat. J.Noize & Kaye Fox – Enjoy The Ride (James Talk & Ridney Remix)
Roy Davis Jr in one of house music’s original pioneers, and his debut on Defected was an extremely proud moment for us. It this remix from James Talk and Ridney’s that really caught people’s imagination though, floating Kaye Fox’s delicate vocal over a thunderous bassline straight out of the French touché era. Big.
05. Kings Of Tomorrow feat. April – I Need To Love Me (Sandy Rivera’s Club Mix)
Few people come close to Sandy Rivera when it comes to vocal house records, but even by his own extremely high standards ‘I Need to Love Me’ was a undoubted highlight in a career than has been littered with them. We’re all extremely pleased that he managed to chase April a bike-riding April down, and it’s long reign at the top of the Traxsource chart is a testament to the quality of this beautiful record.
04. Noir & Haze – Around (Solomun Vox)
In terms of a record that crossed over into all areas of house music, there was surely no record that was as unifying as Solomun’s take on ‘Around’. Despite being pitched at a languorous 116bpm, there was barely a DJ who hasn’t been spinning this over the last few months. The fact that a rewind was demanded when Noir dropped this at our Christmas party last week only serves to emphasise just how big this was in 2011.
03. Human Life – In It Together (Director's Cut Signature Togetherness)
With the return of classic house so prominent, it was only appropriate that 2011 also saw the return of a man credited with its invention. Frankie Knuckles – alongside Director’s Cut partner Eric Kupper – released a number of records this year that were worthy of attention, but it was their reimagining of California’s Human Life and their ‘In It Together’ record that did it for you. Classic yet contemporary, and quite simply drenched in nostalgia.
02. The Shapeshifters & C-Dock – Nothing But Love For You
Huge; uplifting; emotional; powerful. The Shapeshifters don’t tend to release that many records in a year, but those they do always seem to be a pretty major event. ‘Nothing But Love For You’ is no exception, with all the aforementioned adjectives wholly applicable. From the biggest stadium gigs to intimate club settings, The Shapeshifters played plenty of them all this year, and this was undoubtedly one of the biggest tracks they had in their enviable arsenal.
01.Ray Foxx – The Trumpeter
In 2010, the name Ray Foxx probably wouldn’t have meant all that much to your average house music fan. In 2011, he was the name on everyone’s lips, from underground clubs to Ibiza’s hottest new venues by way of the hallowed airwaves of Radio 1. The difference was ‘The Trumpeter’; a record that crossed genres and spoke to people, despite being devoid of any vocals. Of course, Lavelle then added her superb vocals to the later version ‘La Musica (The Trumpeter)’, but it was the original instrumental that has remained your favourite, and is a worthy winner of our Most Rated Track of 2011.
