Written by Erin Best
Preface: 2011 was the year of hard-hitting basslines; pretty sure there should be a compilation category just for them. And I think we can all agree the front running deep house producer of said tracks is undoubtedly Maceo Plex (who should also have his own compilation category since he dominated every track chart this year). So in all fairness and support of the “little guys”, I chose to leave him out of my Top 5.
My Top 5 this year is all about the tracks that left the longest lasting impression. Personal criteria for this includes:
– How many hours did I listen to it on repeat?
– Did it make me want to cry with overwhelming joy?
– Was it a go-to track during a set at least 90% of the time?
– Did it ever get “old”?
– Did I lose my mind (in a good way) every time I heard it played live?
Without a doubt, all of these tracks fulfilled the above requirements. For me, it isn’t about the tracks that are the most “exclusive” or vice versa. It’s about what gets me excited, time after time; some might call it evoking emotion. Obviously this criteria also requires a lot of currently released tracks to not make the list. However, once they are “time tested”, so to speak, they too will prove their rank.
#5. Trickski – Good Time To Pray (Axel Boman Remix) <-- Best of "The Path Less Traveled" Good Time To Pray (Axel Boman Remix) by Trickski
#4. Homework – I’m Into This <-- Best "Moodymann Vocal Dub (with an all-around smooth complexion) I’m Into This by Homework
#3. Danny Daze – Your Everything ft. Louisahhh <-- Best Dirty Bassline Danny Daze – Your Everything ft. Louisahhh (Out on BEATPORT) by Danny Daze
#2. Eats Everything – Entrance Song <-- Best Dance Floor Murderer Eats Everything – Entrance Song (Pets Recordings) by EatsEverything
#1. Faith Evans – Love Like This Before (The B+S Edit) <-- Best Old School Throwback Faith (The B+S Edit) by Futureboogie
Best Mix of the Year takes the cake, hands down. Julio Bashmore’s stab at BBC’s Essential Mix was by far the most entertaining piece of music I’ve heard all year (almost ever).
#1. Mix (obviously) Julio Bashmore’s Essential Mix
Julio Bashmore Essential Mix 24-9-2011 by Bright & Shiny
VISAO wants to thanks everyone who has supported our events, the djs and producers, new and old friends that made this year very memorable, THANK YOU!!!