Friday, December 30, 2011

Jonny Puma's best of 2011

Once again it's time for our summary of the best music that has been around us during 2011. As always, it's a tricky game to play, some tracks are obvious on the list and some had to be outside the list because there are only 25 tracks listed. But this year we will solve this small dilemma by also giving you a Best Of list in Spotify in a couple of days. But the list below is the real deal, that summarizes my year in music. See you in 2012 again, Happy New Year!

#25. Oxford - Holly Moon

French producer Oxford was one of our best findings during 2011. With his melodic and vibrant tracks, with lots of house pianos, that we all love, he has brightened up our year. "Holly Moon" is a perfect example of that and deserves a place on the list without any doubt.

Oxford - Holly Moon (320 kbps)


#24. Johan Agebjörn feat. Le Prix & Lake Heartbeat - Watch The World Go By 
The perfect combination of acts and music styles. Two of Sweden's most italo producers Johan Agebjörn and Le Prix put their great minds together. Then they recruited Lake Heartbeat to put the vocals on it, and the voice of Janne Kask (former Brainpool-singer) is the final touch to this pumping but yet emotional track.



#23. Savoir Adore - Dreamers (Xaphoon Jones Space Horn Remix)
One of the best indie pop tracks of the year from Savoir Adore. In the hands of Xaphoon Jones it became true to the original but also a track for us to post on our Best of list. We say thank you for that!



#22. Austra - Darken Her Horse
Austra have released one of the better albums this year in "Feel It Break" and they have a couple of tracks that could have been on this list. But the track that first got my attention towards Austra was "Darken Her Horse" and therefore it must be here. It's dark, it's sensitive, it's melodic, it's fantastic...



#21.Todd Terje - Ragysh
Todd, oh Todd, what a great year Todd Terje has got. "Snooze 4 Love" has been all over and we love "Ragysh" even more. Todd holds the Norwegian flag high!



#20. Casa del Mirto - Human Feelings
Straight out of Italy comes the mastermind of Casa del Mirto. With a tight grip round the floating chill wave and the epic dream pop, he makes music to feel in love with. "Human Feelings" got all the ingredients of a chilly and dreamy pop saga.



#19. Is Tropical - The Greeks (Moonlight Matters Remix)
No one can really have missed out on Is Tropical's big breakthrough this year, and above all their hit "The Greeks". But maybe people have missed out on Moonlight Matter's fabulous disco remix of that same hit. I haven't, and for me this is an awesome remix that plays with the original track and adds a lot of new stuff around it. I just say, 2.15 into the track, boom!



#18. Patrick Wolf - The City (Richard X Remix)
Patrick Wolf has once again released an amazing album in "Lupercalia". Along with such a fine release comes a bunch of remixes and British producer Richard X is the one who comes out as the winner. This remix is a guaranteed full and energetic dance floor, works every time for us!



#17. Poolside - Harvest Moon (Neil Young Cover)
What makes a track brilliant? Ask the guys in Poolside, because they've made a brilliant track in the cover of Neil Young's "Harvest Moon". I would also say that a brilliant track could easily be told, if people around already after 30 seconds like it and ask you what's on. And then when people want you to play it over and over again, then you know that you got a brilliant track.



#16. M83 - Midnight City (Alcala Remix)
One of the most longed album releases and also one of the best albums this year in "Hurry Up, We're Dreaming!". M83 has done it again. When "Midnight City" was released earlier this year, it was like something exploded. And then there were a couple of remixes that made this track even better, if that's even possible?! Trentemøller did a fantastic one, that you should check out too, but Alcala did the most solid one, at least for the dance floors. This one is a banger, and it have worked outstanding in all countries we've been djing this year. Thank you M83 and Alcala!



#15. Citizens! - True Romance (Cassian Remix)
Citizens! will be one of the bands that will hit it hard 2012. Already being out on Kitsuné with "True Romance", they've got themselves quite a hit to take-off from. Cassian made a great remix of a great track. You can always rely on dear Cassian.



#14. Goldroom - Morgan's Bay
Beside running one of the best blogs out there in Binary, Josh Legg also makes brilliant tunes under the alias Goldroom. This year he has really risen and showed how music should be created. "Morgan's Bay" is one for the books and his remix of Niki & The Dove is for Arnie's book. Two tracks on our top lists, summarizes pretty good how talented this man is. Goldroom everybody!



#13. Le Matos - Retired
Always happy when I hear new stuff from one of my favourite acts. This year Le Matos have come back with a retrospective release with loads of tracks and also released one brand new. "Retired" was on their retrospective release, but for my ears unheard, so therefore I will claim that it will hit it into my list as the heaviest tune in my list this year. Shit, this is a good heavy Canadian melodic sound, but don't get scared of the horror intro.

Le Matos - Retired (320 kbps)


#12. Pallers - Come Rain, Come Sunshine
Swedish band Pallers have made one of the most beautiful albums this year in "The Sea of Memories". The whole album is fantastic, not a single track should be taken away. Pallers make this smart and emotional electronic music and their music has so many levels and layers. This album has been on repeat since it came out in September and it's still as good. "Come Rain, Come Sunshine" is the most shining gem on their debut album.



#11. Lana Del Rey - Blue Jeans (Penguin Prison Remix)
One of the biggest breakthroughs of the year is Lana Del Ray. From nowhere to everywhere. And she has made it grand and with tremendous quality in all her music so far. So when you put this talented young woman together with Penguin Prison, one of the best remixers out there, it must be superb!



 #10. Holy Ghost! - Hold My Breath
Holy Ghost! is another act that released one of the most solid albums during 2011. So many brilliant tracks on there, but if I must chose one I will go for early favourite "Hold My Breath", which will make everybody happy. 



 #9. Florence and the Machine - Shake It Out (The Weeknd Remix)
Once again Florence and the Machine make it into my Best of list. This year with what I would say is the best original indie track this year in all categories, an absolutely stunning song. This remix by The Weeknd is almost as stunning, and I like that it's pretty close to the original. 
 


#8. Motor City Drum Ensemble - L.O.V.E. (Extended Version)
Behind the rather complicated name Motor City Drum Ensemble is the great mind of Danilo Plessow. With "L.O.V.E." he has once again proven that is one of the most talented young producers out there. This track is totally killin' it and every time I listen to it, it hits me how amazing this tune is, listen to the work with the drums. Pure love!



#7. Active Child - Hanging On (White Sea Remix)
Another talented young man is Active Child and his album "You Are All I See" is in my top 5 of the best albums this year. Epic, dreamy, emotional and beautiful is a couple of words to describe it. This White Sea remix is one of the remixes that give Active Child full justice. White Sea makes this already beautiful track into another lovely version. 



#6. Aeroplane - Save Me Now
Ohh, this Aeroplane track has been played over and over again. It's hard to stand still, the only medicine must be to turn it off. But I can't, I must listen more. Please, please save me now...



#5. Young Galaxy - Blown Minded
Ok, Young Galaxy have made the best album of the year with "Shapeshifting"! That album holds so many golden candies and sweet melodies. Incredible voice of Catherine McCandless and perfectly produced by Swedish master Dan Lissvik. Wonderful "Blown Minded" we sometime close the party with as the final track and how lovely isn't that!



#4. Yuksek - On A Train (The Magician Remix)
It's been a magic year and this The Magician remix of Yuksek is just one of the most magic one's. This remix holds it all, a great original track with a great voice, a beat and sound that will get anyone up and dance, even your old Grandma. One of the best remixes this year, and that's for sure!



#3. Miguel Campbell - Something Special
This is something special! What a fantastic tune. Leeds-based Miguel Campbell has made one of the absolute best tracks this year. A wonderful voice along with that steady beat that flirts big time with the 90s. A long intro that 1.33 into the track will take you even further. This is classy Miguel Campbell!



#2. Leno Lovecraft - Princess (Yan Wagner Remix)
Leno Lovecraft that we had the honour to play with this summer has made some of the most interesting and quirky tracks this year. He makes his own music and therefore it's original. And when this up-and-coming young Frenchman Yan Wagner makes this remix of "Princess", it's like the best of two worlds that finally have met up and got married.



#1. Peter & The Magician - Love In Rimini
This year's #1 is one of the most beloved tracks from people around me and by me too of course. Peter (Yuksek) and The Magician put their great great masterminds together and released the best EP this year. "Love In Rimini" was featured there and since that day it has been played and it has been loved. This is the best track of 2011 according to humble me.




16 comments:

Mind the Clapham Trap said...

awesome list! Tried downloading the zip file, but didn't seem to work - don't have permissions it says?!?!

Jonas/Jonny Puma said...

Now the zip should work!

Anonymous said...

great list but download still doesn't work!?!

Jonas/Jonny Puma said...

Alrighty, now the zip-problem is solved. Now there is two Zip-files instead of one. Enjoy the zips!

Anonymous said...

download still timing out..any ideas?

Jonas/Jonny Puma said...

No idea really. But we go for Mediafire now instead. Sorry for the trouble.

Anonymous said...

thanks, it worked once you had the link on the site go to the media fire website
thanks

Dj B1GS said...

Great list ! I would put Hanging On (white sea remix at # 1 though!

Anonymous said...

Holy Ghost! for numero uno :))))

Anonymous said...

awesome list, really well done

Olivia said...

Always a great list. I look forward to them every year. Is there going to be an Arnie Becker list too?

Dizzy said...

Thank you so much for great New Year's Party Music! Excellent choise!
Active Child is an artist, I've been waiting for two decades, he is Break-through Of The Year.

Jonas/Jonny Puma said...

Thanks Olivia and all you other friends. The Arnie Becker list will be up probably tomorrow (Jan 4th). Cheers!

Olivia said...

Oh good, I'll look for it. No problem. I only wish I lived in Stockholm because (among other reasons) I could go to your DJ nights. I'm sad to see Elektrana is shutting down. At least you still put up mixes on the blog. Thank goodness!

Jonas/Jonny Puma said...

Olivia, you must then move to Stockholm, because our city rocks and our clubs rock too!

Olivia said...

Ah, there's Arnie's list. I'd love to move to Stockholm, Jonny! You're right about the clubs! By the way, I've been listening to your list all week at work. I can't stop playing the Penguin Prison remix of Lana Del Ray for some reason... thanks for having excellent taste.