2012 was the year of 80s drum machines, ocean-deep bass lines and the bloke called Maceo Plex. And everyone else who imitated his sound. The average BPM lost a 10 beats per minute, so even the most lazy clubbers would be able to nod along. Was it just us, or did the club culture become more grown up? Moving from dark basements to lunch-beats, daytime parties in the park and a sunday afternoon straight edge clubs. It was a year of DIY Vinyl labels, Club Mate and H20.
Pachanga Boys – Time
This is the EDMs current answer to Forever Young by Alphaville or Being Boring by Petshop boys. The ultimate afterhour sunrise track.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dwG3KlGw11g
Maceo Plex – Ain’t That Love.
Maceo Plex on both the production and the vocals. Touche!
Unomas – Got to be funky (Luna city express remix) – Novo Music
The Mike Dunn original from 1995 has been resampled a few times before. This one by Miami based Unomas feels unlikely fresh and new. Marco Ressman and Luna City Express remixed this one into my number 1 opening track of 2012.
HVOB – Dogs EP (Stil vor Talent)
Her voice over boys (HVOB) are Vienna based Paul and Anna. Signed to Stil Vor talent they are definitely the live act to watch out for in 2013 as the debut album is about to hit the shelves in March.
Oliver Schories – Sunset (Newbie Nerds Remix) – Der Turnbeutel
Oliver Schories has been right his own tide of deep techno for some time now. But make sure to make a mental not about London based Newbie Nerds and their remix skills. Officially released on 12″ in late december 2012, this will be the deep house signature track of this winter.
Martin Landsky – 1000 miles (Laurent Garnier Remix) – Poker Flat
The night train bass reminds me of progressive classic like A Sky Was Pink. A great remix come back by monseigneur Garnier after a few years of production silence.
The Mekanism – Missing Love – Need / Want
The talented Parisian Duo’s (now – a one man show) one deep EP wonder.
Djuma Soundsystem vs Kolombo – Cherimoya (Eskimo Records)
A lovely 110 bpm trip by Djuma Soundsystem and Kolombo.
Todd Terje – Inspector Norse (Smalltown Supersound)
Yes you can call it too pop, too com my, too disco. This is still one of the best tracks of 2012. And it’s more house than anything Swedish House Mafia has produced during the last 5 years.
Darkside – A1 – Clown and Sunset
Nikolas Jaar’s and Dave Harrington’s side project Darkside featured live guitars and MDMA chewing low BPM. Great track for slow starters.
Etnophonic – Alfa Pet EP (Dynamic Records)
Clever organic tech-house produced by two gentlemen in the dark forest west-west of Stockholm. Etnophonic are Daniel and Tomas. Keep an eye on them in 2013.