End of year lists are always tricky. There’s so much great music, that it’s impossible to compile a definitive ‘best of’ list (and besides it’s all subjective). So, here are a few artists, tracks, releases and labels that I’ve been feeling in the past year (with a mix to go along with it).

1. Afrikan Sciences - Spirals (Deepblak) Buy
Kicking-off Deepblak’s 10 year anniversary was Afrikan Sciences’ debut album, ‘Means and Ways’. The album explored multiple genres, all with a heavy influence of (hi-tech) jazz running through-out. The dance-floor tracks (’Spirals’, ‘Ejercicios’ and ‘NanoRock Skank’) were subsequently released on vinyl. Afrikan Sciences also provided a killer remix of Aybee’s ‘Build Her’.

2. Ital - One Hit (100% Silk) Buy
There was a lot of hype around 100% Silk in 2011. I personally wasn’t feeling most of the releases but the Ital record really stood out for me - simple yet highly effective. All three tracks on this EP are great and have a similar raw energy found on early Chicago records.
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3. Levon Vincent - Revs/Cost (Novel Sound) Info
After a year hiatus, Levon Vincent released two records via his Novel Sound imprint. ‘Man Or Mistress’ was inevitably going to be a huge track for the dance floor, but I preferred the more subtle tracks found on the ‘Impressions Of A Rainstorm’ EP. Either way, both records are essential.
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4. Kevin Reynolds - Liaisons (Nsyde) Info
Kevin Reynold’s debut (released via his Todhchai imprint in 2006) was really impressive. This years follow-up (’Favis’) was a little underwhelming in my opinion. However, the ‘Liaisons’ track released via Nsyde more than made up for it. Hopefully we won’t have to wait another 5 years for his next release.
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5. Tin Man - Nonneo (Acid Test) Buy
A real treat of a record, Tin Man’s ‘Nonneo’ caught the ear of many. ‘Nonneo’ saw Tin Man focusing on crisp, driving drum programming while keeping the sparse and emotive 303 bassline fairly restrained, producing both a trippy yet upbeat feel. The flip gave us the excellent Donato Dozzy remix, who kept things sparse and let the bassline breathe, which only added to the trippiness.

6. Vakula - You Cannot Resist (Shevchenko) Info
I was quite surprised to not see Vakula featured on more year end lists. The Ukrainian producer gave us great remixes of Herman’s  ‘Rock Your Body’ and Steve Reich’s  ‘2×5: Movement 3 Fast’, as well offering up 10 releases of his own material. The ‘You Cannot Resist’, ‘Unthank’ and ‘Picture Of You’ ep’s are all top quality and highly recommended.

7. Ethyl & Huxley - Reflexions (Tsuba) Buy
2011 was a busy year for Aybee and his Deepblak imprint. As well as providing stellar remixes for Ethyl & Huxley, Damon Bell and Afrikan Sciences, Aybee also gave us his own ‘11:11′ EP, a split release with Miles Sagnia as well as the ‘Build Her’ remix ep. Deepblak also celebrated it’s tenth anniversary with the ‘Ten’ compilation, which rounded up highlights from the label.

8. Recloose - Electric Sunshine (Rush Hour) Buy
Following-up from last years excellent ‘Early Works’ retrospective, Recloose gave us the ‘Saturday Night Manifesto’ EP via Rush Hour. Recloose’s first new material in three years, the EP is real return to form in my opinion. Both ‘Tecumseh’ and ‘Electric Sunshine’ are killer tracks.
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9. Floating Points - Arp3 (Eglo) Buy
In two short years, Sam Shepherd (aka Floating Points) has released some of the finest music around. The early part of 2011 saw Floating Points release the excellent mid-tempo track, ‘Marilyn’ as well as the wonderful remix of Daedelus’ ‘Tailor Made’. The latter half of the year he gave us the acid tinged ‘Danger’, with the very nice (yet too short) ambient piece, ‘Miniature 27′ on the flip. The ‘Shadows’ EP released in early December finished off Floating Points’ year in very fine style. Hoping to hear a full album from Floating Points in the near future.

10. Kassem Mosse - Untitled (Workshop) Info
Wonderfully weird deep house from Kassem Mosse on the always excellent Workshop label.
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11. Cosmin TRG - Amor Y Ortos (Fifty Weapons) Buy
A lot of techno coming out of Europe leaves me cold, but 2011 saw a number of producers who piqued my interest, including Romanian producer Cosmin TRG who gave us his debut album, ‘Simulat’ via Fifty Weapons - ‘Fizic’, ‘Ritmat’ and ‘Amor Y Ortos’ being the stand-out cuts for myself.
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12. John Heckle - What Once Was (Mathematics) Info
Another producer that I was surprised at not seeing on more year end lists. John Heckle gave us a fine debut album, ‘The Second Son’ (the CD version was completely different from the vinyl, so essential two albums). The ‘Hard Sleeper’ release was also great but it was ‘The 4th Dimension’ EP that did it for me. Also, on Mathematics was the excellent ‘Traces’ EP by San Laurentino.

13. Mr. Fingers - Finger Fuck (Rush Hour) Buy
Obviously not from 2011, but (for most) these tracks only saw the light of day this year. Compiled by Gene Hunt, ‘Chicago Dance Tracks Vol. 1′ featured unreleased material taken from reel-to-reel’s given to Hunt during the 1980’s, with highlights from Virgo 4, Mike Dunn, Craig Loftis, Ron Hardy and Mr. Fingers.

14. Omar S - Here’s Your Trance Now Dance! (FXHE) Buy
Released at the beginning of the year, ‘Here’s Your Trance Now Dance!’ was no doubt going to ubiquitous. Omar S doing what he does so well.
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15. Kyle Hall - Down! (Wild Oats) Info
On his only release this year, Kyle Hall gave us two raw looped based tracks. Simple, yet highly effective. Hall’s imprint Wild Oats also gave us the debut release from Jay Simon, ‘Faith’, a great rework of Faith Evan’s ‘You Used To Love Me’.
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16. John Daly - Sea Level (Further) Buy
Seattle’s Further Records have released some great music all across the board over the past couple of years. Last year’s amazing Donato Dozzy album, ‘K’, got a much welcomed CD release this year. Other highlights from this year included o1o’s ‘Futurespective’ EP - a collection of Aybee’s headier material from the past few years, as well as the excellent John Daly record.

17. Space Dimension Controller - Max Tiraquon (R&S) Buy
Yet another one that should have turned up on more year end lists. This was billed as a prequel release to next years full length album, but this is really a great album in itself. You can clearly hear Detroit’s influence on SDC but he makes the sound his own. ‘The Pathway To Tiraqoun6′ provides great listen from start to finish.

Some of my favourite artists, tracks and labels from the past year.

1. Actress - Futureproofing (Honest Jons) Info

2. Cos/Mes - DFG (ESP Institute) Info

3. Tornado Wallace - Paddlin’ (Delusions Of Granduer) Info

4. Rick Wilhite - Analog Love (Rush Hour) Info

5. Anthony Shakir - Detroit State Of Mind (Rush Hour) Info

6. STL - Wasabi Flavoured (Something) Info

7. Storm Queen - Look Right Through (Environ) Info

8. Chicago Skyway - Air (Eargasmic) Info

9. Levon Vincent - Double Jointed Sex Freak (Novel Sound) Info

10. Kyle Hall - Solar Funk (Wild Oats) Info

11. Lawrence - Dwelling On The Dunes (Laid) Info

12. Tevo Howard - Crystal Republic (Rush Hour) Info

13. Steven Tang - Aerial (Aesthetic Audio) Info

14. Bnjmn - Unknown (Unknown)

15. Fred P. - It Is What It Is (Strength Music) Info

16. Lone - Rissotowe_4 (Magic Wire) Info

17. Ramadanman - Glut (Hemlock) Info

18. Maddslinky - Lost On Tenori Street (Tru Thoughts) Info

19. Shed - 44A (Ostgut Ton) Info

1. Radiohead - Reckoner (Fascinating Rhythms) Info
I was fortunate enough to hear Balearic Mike play a couple times over the summer and was blown away by his selections. One of the tracks that really stood out for me was this Johnny Miller remix of Radiohead’s ‘Reckoner’, which Mike subsequently used as the debut release for his Fascinating Rhythms label.

The vast majority of edits don’t do much for me except for leaving me wanting to hear the original version. The Cottam edits however, turn it up a notch, slowing the BPM and adding raw techno infused beats to the R&B and afro-beat originals. All three releases have been great - expect good things from Cottam and his Ruff Draft label in 2010.

Another couple of respectful edits and a pleasant departure from the Latin infused house that Rainer Truby is known for, although, it sounds like most of the new direction came from (the un-credited) Motor City Drum Ensemble. MCDE’s Raw Cuts #6 was also killer.

Some of my favourite artists, tracks and labels from the past year.

1. The Black Dog - UV Sine (Soma) Info

2. Henrik Schwarz - I Exist Because Of You (Innervisions) Info

3. Kuniyuki Takahashi - The Session (Mule) Info

4. Deadbeat - Grounation (Wagon Repair) Info

5. Sis - Trompeta (Sei Es Drum) Info

6. Etienne Jaumet - Repeat Again After Me (Versatile) Info

7. Mike Edge - Walking Alone (Sistrum) Info

8. Moritz Von Oswald - Watamu Beach (Desolat) Info

9. Martyn - Vancouver (3024) Info

10. Shackleton - Blood On My Hands (Skull Disco) Info

A few of my favorites from 2006.

Artist - Track (Label)

1. Fat Eyes - Assult Rifle (Soul Jazz) - Buy

Soul Jazz effortlessly puts together 25 years of dancehall in all it’s style’s and connects it to today’s dub step/grime/digital scenes. The Rekid album also on SJR was another highlight of the year.

2. Alice Smith - Love Endeavor (BBE) - Info

Maurice Fulton gives us a beautiful dubby disco/boogie rework of Alice Smith.

3. Owusu & Hannibal - Lonnie’s Secret (Ubiquity) Buy

Great album from Danish duo. Skillfully produced futuristic soul music.

4. 3 Chairs - BABO (3 Chairs) Info

Out-there Detroit house - how can a 3 chairs record not be in my best of the year?

5. Nomo - Nutones (Ubiquity) Buy

Another one from Ubiquity. Tight afro beat outfit from Detroit.

6. Rhythm & Sound - See Mi Version (Burial Mix) Buy

Rhythm & Sound’s ‘See Mi Yah’ album gets remixed, with highlight’s from Carl Craig, Sleeparchive and Hallucinator. Mark and Moritz don their Basic Channel guise for remix duties as well.

7. Kode 9 & The Spaceape - Victims (Hyperdub) Buy

Hyperdub released 2 widely acclaimed albums in 2006. Both the Burial and Kode 9 lp’s are dark, menacing and deeply compelling.

8. Cobblestone Jazz - Dump Truck (Wagon Repair) Buy

Superb record from Cobblestone Jazz - quirky electronics, with nice keys on the latter half of Dump Truck.

9. F.S.T.R. - Basic Track (Unrestricted Access) Buy

Shelter keeps up the pressure with a solid amount of releases from Quentin Harris, Filsonik and Timmy Regisford with more of an emphasis on the tribal tracky side of house - just the way I like it.

10. A Guy Called Gerald - Sweet You (Laboratory Instinct) Buy

Acid house pioneer Gerald Simpson goes back to his roots and gives us 24 raw club tracks inspired by 80’s Chicago & Detroit.

11. Omar S & Shadow Ray - Oasis Collaborating (FXHE) Buy

A second round-up of releases from FXHE - one of the most interesting labels in Detroit right now.

12. Martin Buttrich - Full Clip (Planet E) Buy

Great release on Planet E. Programmer sounds like an updated ‘Acid Eiffel’. Buttrich’s ‘Cloudy Bay’ release on Poker Flat was also excellent.

13. John Tejada - The End Of It All (Palette) Buy

Solid release from John Tejada’s Palette label. His remix of Jimpster’s ‘Square Up’ was also superb.

Direct download: Just_Good_Music_1_22_07_-_Best_Of_2006.m4a