Best ofs are pointless, don’t you think? Who am I (or is anybody else) to tell you what the best is, right?
And still, best ofs are regularly the most-read articles of all kinds of magazines every year (typically in December… so, yeah I know I’m late but hey!). It’s their absolutist claims that provoke you: There ist just one possible top 10 and here it is. Of course, that’s not true.
Music (art in general) creates a subjective experience in the listener (or beholder). Each piece is perceived individually and the experience, i.e. the actual piece is created in the listener only (ask that dude). A best of therefore always is and can only be a personal best of. Not more and not less. A list of pieces that have impressed and moved someone (both figuratively and literally in this case). Sharing this with others might -after all- not be that pointless…
So here it is, my personal, pointless not so pointless selection of 2014’s best of deep & tech house (or what ever label you want to put on it). Enjoy!
Anja Schneider – Dubmission [Mobilee]
Producer, DJ, host of her own radio show and founder of the brilliant Mobilee label: Anja Schneider has been one of the most influential figures in the worldwide techno scene for years and she’s not getting tired: a real perpetuum mobile(e)!
Lana del Rey – West Coast (Solomun Remix) [2DIY4]
What is there still to say about Solomun’s Remixes? Not much! The Diynamic label boss’ reinterpretations (like those of Noir & Haze or Foals) speak for themselves anyway. This sexy and groovy monster, released on Diynamic’s little sister 2DIY4, adds into his oeuvre just perfectly:
&ME – After Dark [keinemusik]
&ME’s dark and minimalistic track with its hypnotizing vocals and that lashing snare has been played in a lot of sets all over the world last year – and rightly so!
Adriatique – Space Knights [Cityfox]
Hamburg-based producer duo Adriatique released their ‘Space Knights’ on Cityfox last summer – psychedelic, pounding, perfect.
David August – Epikur [Innervisions]
German Wunderkind David August just keeps on getting bigger and his 2014 bears several highlights: Besides his Revisions for Kollektiv Turmstrasse (listen to his great Boiler Room set) and Stimming for Diynamic, he released ‘Epikur’ on the exquisit Innervisions label:
GusGus – Crossfade (Maceo Plex Mix) [Kompakt]
Maestro Maceo’s mix of Icelandic electronic music collective GusGus’ ‘Crossfade’.
Sailor & I – Turn Around (Âme Remix) [Life and Death]
Ame’s remixes always figure among the most anticipated releases every year. Here’s why:
David Hasert & Matteo Luis feat. Shia – The Takeoff (Rampue Remix) [LIKE]
Rampue has definitely found his own style over the last years. Both his own productions and remixes share a melancholic tone, great build-ups of tension and incredible drops that drive every audience into ecstasy. ‘The Takeoff’ is a perfect example of his recent work.
Moderat – Bad Kingdom (DJ Koze Remix) [Pampa Records]
When a genius like Koze takes on a gem like Moderat’s ‘Bad Kingdom’…
Ten Walls – Walking with Elephants [Boso, Atlantic Records]
Mario Bosanov aka Ten Walls’ pachyderm has trampled on and destroyed probably every decent dancefloor on this earth last year… Dat bassoon!
So, I hope you enjoyed my selection and maybe even discovered something new! You think I’m all wrong? Propose your amendments then! Always happy and thankful to discover new stuff!
Dublin and All 