Sneaky Sound System + Azari & III + KiNK

We like Sneaky Sound System's new single. It mixes a sunny 80s synth disco feel with more of retro electro rhythms. And more importantly it's just a good pop song. Sneaky Sound System have a habit of getting strong  remix support (favourites include Breakbot, Flight Facilities and more recently Oliver), and this release is no different. Azari & III have made an awesome deep, well Azari & III track and Bulgaria's biggest deep/tech house star, KiNK's is just as awesome. Funkagenda's is decent, but decidedly inferior to the other two remixes, so I'll save the space and not post it.

Really Want To See You Again - Extended by sneakysoundsystem

Really Want To See You Again - Azari & III remix by sneakysoundsystem

Really Want To See You Again - KiNK remix by sneakysoundsystem

Repost: Exclusive premiere of Pyramid's remix of Foxes' "Youth"

We make a repost of this splendid remix due to Hype Machine that failed to read the track the other day. We want this track to be loved!

The best Pyramid in the world I would say. Pyramid always delivers really good stuff, if it's original tracks or remixes. He has got such a potential that even Kitsuné included him on the latest Kitsuné Parisien II.

With this remix of Foxes first release "Youth" we can't do more than bow. Foxes is the girl of Loui Rose Allen and you can compare her to acts such as Marina & The Diamonds, Bat For Lashes and Ellie Goulding. In other words, this is great music, and we're sure that you gonna hear much more from Foxes this year. And you will of course also hear more from mighty Pyramid.

Youth (Pyramid Remix) by iamfoxes

Aeroplane's January Mixtape

Perfect timing for the Saturday evening to start over here in Sweden. With perfect timing, I mean that Aeroplane just shared his new mixtape for the world. Always a pleasure! Let the night begin!

Aeroplane January 2012 Mix by Aeroplane (Official)

Tracklist:
1. Pop & Eye - Give Me a Fight
2. Friendly Fires - Hurting (C2 Instrumental Mix)
3. Great Weekend - That's the Thing (To Do)
4. Chemistry - Funky People
5. Parallel Dance Ensemble - Shopping Cart (Maxxi Soundsystem Remix)
6. Ruf Kutz #4 - 4 Ron
7. Miguel Migs - Close Your Eyes (Deetron Dub)
8. Art Department - Tell me Why (Brennan Green Remix)
9. Lula Circus - Fake Blood, True Wound
10. Classixx - A Fax From The Beach
11. Harmonious Thelonious - Trans Harmonic System
 

Pocket money

I remember when we played with Fare Soldi last winter, that they played sober. They partied afterwards, but it was something very mature with that attitude. Maybe they are more grown-up than us, they're new scheme suggests so. For all of 2012 the Friulian disco kings will release one track per month as paghetta, which is the Italian word for the monthly allowance you get as a kid. So you can listen to this after you have mowed the lawn. Of course, I don't have to do that since we got the first snow of the winter last week, plus I live in a flat anyway.

Disco Durello by Fare Soldi

Fabian - Do It

LA and Binary's Fabian have made a new track. It's a very nice housey tune sampling Montell Jordan's '95 swing beat track "This Is How We Do It". With its hammering piano, handclaps and congas it'll work well on a dancefloor.

Do It by Fabian

The Magician - Magic Tape 19

First The Magician Magic Tape of the year! As usual no tracklisting, so speculate on his Soundcloud or below in the comments section.

Magic Tape Nineteen by The Magician

Ohh, new Goldroom music

One of our biggest loves last year, Goldroom, is back with a new smooth track. "Angeles", once again shows what Mr. Josh Legg is all about. Perfect tunes for sunny moments, or all moments really. Therefore we're also happy to announce that we gonna bring him to Stockholm in April. Love Goldroom and love April in Stockholm!

Goldroom - Angeles by Goldroom

New video from STYGG

Check out STYGG's new video for "Acid Test" made by Punx Sthlm.


STYGG - Acid Test (320 kbps)

You're BrainWashed Mixtape

From our Polish DJ colleague BrainWash we got this nice mixtape yesterday. I listened  to it yesterday and today so now it's time for you to take a listen.

You're BrainWashed - BrainWash @ Audiofonia by BrainWash The Dj

Tracklist:

1. Miami Ice & Pretty Criminals - Feel the Crowd (Original Mix)

2. Maceo Plex - Vibe Your Love (Original Mix)

3. U2 - With or Without You (KOKO Re-edit)

4. Jamie Ruz - Into the Night
5. Kraak and Smaak - Lets Go Back
6. Miguel Campbell - Something Special (Original Mix)

7. Voice Hands Machine - Take Your Hand (Jamie Ruz Remix)

8. 33hz - Nightspot (Eli Escobars Darkside Dub)

9. Toby Tobias - Tomorrows Bringing (Lee Foss My Hands Smell Like Sleep)

Monsieur Adi ♥ Justice

Just wanted to share a new Monsieur Adi track, a remix of Justice's "Ohio". But I will leave the rest of the text for Adi himself to explain this new remix:

"Remixing Justice is something that should have happened some time ago, but the right song and timing had to be. I love this song very much. My interpretation of this song is about pride and love for somewhere and all that's there which I wanted to capture in something that's moving. Keeping it simple with yet dramatic, this remix builds from the vocals into a slow électronique / soft rock ballad with strings, choirs, and some synth pads. There's also the guitar solo which I have always loved. Making this remix and listening to it reminds me how much I love Paris. I always will. Enjoy!"

Justice - Ohio (Monsieur Adi Remix) by Monsieur Adi

Straight out of Norway: Philco Fiction

Discovered this Norwegian trio today and what could be more perfect than to find a group like Philco Fiction on a snowy Sunday.

Amazingly beautiful arranged tracks along with the spellbinding vocals from Turid Solberg make Philco Fiction into something mysterious and inspiring. I can hear lots of other acts in them, but still they do their own thing in-between dreamy ballads to 80s popish tracks. This band could easily be one of my best findings this year.

Philco Fiction released a full-length album last year in "Take It Personal" (listen on Spotify) and how it could avoid my radar being this good is surprisingly bad of me, but I hope I will make some compensation by showing Philco Fiction to you on this perfect Sunday.

Philco Fiction - Portait Of Silence by Brilliance Records

Philco Fiction - Finally by Brilliance Records

Philco Fiction - Help! by Brilliance Records

Help! (Bartin Remix) by Brilliance Records

Philco Fiction - Horizon by nofearofpop.net

Latest Miike Snow

Miike Snow are about to release a new album in March and they released the single "Devil's Work" a while ago. Now it's time for the next track from the upcoming album to see the world. "Paddling Out" is more up-tempo than its predecessor but still with that new Miike Snow sound.

Paddling Out by miikesnow

Yuksek + Tom Furse

Tom Furse from The Horrors has made this spaced out remix of Yuksek's "Always On The Run". Yuksek is about to release his album "Living on the Edge of Time" in America on Valentine's Day, so until then you can enjoy this fine remix. High five Yuksek!

Yuksek - Always On The Run (Tom Furse Remix) (320 kbps)

Final DJs - One Day In The Sun

I'm liking the track "One Day In The Sun" by Final DJs. Sitting here in a dark Stockholm, I'd like a day in the sun too. It's actually unsigned, so it will not be included on the upcoming On The Fruit EP. What will be included on it though, are a couple of big name remixes, one of them by Justin Faust.

One Day In The Sun by Final DJs

You can hear the Justin Faust remix on the On The Fruit mixtape Figure of 8 did for Letouch.TV. Check out the tracklist on their website.

On The Fruit sextape for LETOUCH.TV by Figure Of 8 by On The Fruit Records

In the Air Tonight

The night is about to start over here in Stockholm and before I will run out into the night I just wanted to share this brilliant remix. Cosmo Black has made this Phil Collins classic into a new classic! Enjoy your Friday night wherever in the world you are!

Phil Collins - In the Air Tonight (Cosmo Black Remix) (320 kbps)

The Magician + Erkka

Speaking of Finns and their awesome brand of progressive-infused disco. Helsinki's and French Express' Erkka made a really awesome remix of The Magician's "I Don't Know What To Do" featuring Jeppe, that the Belgian included on one of his awesome mixtapes last autumn. The powers that be were kind enough to give it away for free, but had the questionable timing to do it just after New Year's when we all were severely hung-over. Which is the reason we haven't remembered to post it until now. Erkka will of course be one of all the French Express people to watch in 2012.

The Magician feat. Jeppe - I Don't Know What To Do (Erkka Remix) (320 kbps)

David Lynch - Good Day Today (Erkka remix) (192 kbps)

The best remixes of Lana Del Rey's "Born To Die"

Hyped and awesome Lana Del Rey finished 2011 in a huge hype and it continues as expected in 2012. Soon is her debut album here and to give rise to it her second single release is here, named the same as the album "Born To Die". To such a hyped artist there are always loads of remixes turning up, unofficial and official ones, some good, some ok and some bad or boring ones. Today we have done the dirty job and dug into the pile of remixes that are out there. And here are the best ones...so far! We will send the bill to The Remix Society.

Without any doubt, Leo Zero's remix is a grain of gold in the pile, the only remix that actually give it the proper treatment. Not only in the sound, but also making it into an 11 minute something disco eargasm, that keeps you alert for the whole track. Since I first heard it in Aeroplane's December mix I wanted to get my hands on it. Go Leo!

Lana Del Rey - Born To Die (Leo Zero Remix) (128 kbps)

The #2 fave is also kind of obvious in Gucci Vump's official remix. Gucci Vump are the duo of Brodinski and Guillaume from The Shoes and they give it a really nice treatment too.

Lana Del Rey - Born to Die (Gucci Vump Remix) (128 kbps)

The Gemini remix is also a nice one, that I didn't think I would like so much when I first heard it, because I'm not a big fan (or fan at all) of the dubstep thing. But it has actually grown.

Lana Del Rey - Born To Die (Gemini Remix) (320 kbps)

The latest one we got our hands on is one of the remixes to be on the official remix EP release of "Born To Die". Woodkid takes a nice approach on Lana's track and treats it with dignity. The other remixes on the remix EP will be from Damon Albarn and Clams Casino.

Lana Del Rey - Born To Die [Woodkid Remix] by PurplePR

I Walked Alone remixes

YACHT released their latest single "I Walked Alone" back in November/December last year and along with the release a bunch of fine remixes came. The two best remixes you can find here below.

Long time favourite Jacques Renault made this splendid disco remix!

YACHT - I Walked Alone (Jacques Renault Remix) (320 kbps)

French duo Get A Room! have also made it into something funky with added cowbells, and that recipe can never turn out bad.

YACHT - I Walked Alone (Get A Room! Remix) (320 kbps)

Here is the video for the original:


And we finish off with a little bonus from Get A Room, a nice disco edit!

Docteur Music (Get A Room! Edit) (320 kbps)

Jay Lamar & Jesse Oliver

Yay, first Discotexas post of the year! Today Portugal's best label release their first EP of the year - Helsinki duo Jay Lamar & Jesse Oliver's "Diamonda" EP. In my best of 2011 list I wrote about Hannelulauri that the Finns are great at mixing disco with progressive house, and gave a few examples. Actually, another example I was thinking of were these guys. There simply are no other people, except the Big French guys, who can make progressive house so fresh and, well, so not cheesy. See for yourself:

DT018 - Jay Lamar & Jesse Oliver - Diamonda by Discotexas

So what are my picks? I have to say the 'B-side', "Opal", edges out the original slightly, and that it's good to see our friends Xinobi and Justin Faust being in excellent form. That doesn't mean that I don't like the Bright Shades remix though.

Jay Lamar & Jesse Oliver - Opal (Original Mix) by Discotexas

Jay Lamar & Jesse Oliver - Diamonda (Xinobi Remix) by Discotexas

Jay Lamar & Jesse Oliver - Diamonda (Justin Faust Remix) by Discotexas

I have no idea why they're giving away this one for free, cause it's great. Just say thanks and download it.

Jay Lamar & Jesse Oliver - 22 (FREE DOWNLOAD) by Discotexas

BONUS:

More Finnish progressive disco in the form of Top Billin act Helsinki 78-82 and their cover of Lifelike's classic "So Electric".

Helsinki 78-82 - So Lifelike feat. Villa Nah (Radio Edit) (192 kbps)

The Rapture - Sail Away remixes

DFA released streams of upcoming The Rapture remix EP "Sail Away". Originally supposed to be released in December, the new date is January 17. That means you have four days to decide which of the remixes by Aeroplane, Cosmic Kids and Cut Copy is your favourite. I'm voting Cut Copy I think - sorry for being harsh on your album guys, you know I'll always love you!!! :'(

The Rapture - Sail Away (Aeroplane Remix) by DFA Records

The Rapture - Sail Away (Cosmic Kids Remix) by DFA Records

The Rapture - Sail Away (Cut Copy Remix) by DFA Records

BONUS:

In case you haven't grown tired of The Rapture's epic "How Deep Is Your Love" (I know I haven't), here's a nice remix by Pat Lok and Cyclist.

The Rapture - How Deep Is Your Love? (Cyclist + Pat Lok Remix)

(320 kbps)

EDIT: We weren't the only ones who liked this particular remix. It actually won DFA's remix contest - out of 149 entries. Congrats to Pat Lok and Cyclist!

RAC + Depeche Mode

One of my favourite acts that I grew up with, Depeche Mode, remixed by another favourite, RAC. It was a while ago we got us a new RAC remix. With this one, they once again show us how a remix should be made! Enjoy the music!

Depeche Mode - Enjoy The Silence (RAC Mix) by RAC

Cordova - Paradigm

We asked our readers on our fanpage which tracks we had missed out on our top 50 tracks of 2011 (not including our Spotify list with the top 100, because it's not yet available in the whole world). And it doesn't matter how hard your scan the world for all the greatest music, there's always some fantastic music that slip your radar. This one with Cordova is one good example. Cordova is a collaboration between Vancouver people U-Tern, AJK and vocalist Roxy.

Back then when it came out it they didn't manage do make it to an official release and it was released for free. Now it will be out soon as an official release along with remixes, but until then, for you others that also missed out on this wonderful track. Thanks to Jakob Karstensen for the tip!

Cordova - Paradigm by U-Tern
 

Goldroom + Keljet

Here's a nice remix of everyone's favourite Goldroom by Keljet. I'd love to chat more, but I'm hungry.

Goldroom - Nights In Nantes (Keljet Remix) (free download)
by Keljet

Nero + Fred Falke

Fred Falke has taken a shot at remixing Nero's dubstep mash-up between Kano's "Another Life" and Hall & Oates' "Out of Touch". A synthy French house version of Kano sounds familiar?

Nero - Reaching Out(Fred Falke remix) by Fred Falke

Todd Terje - Inspector Norse

You might have heard it already, but Todd Terje's new single is an early contender for the Best of '12 lists. Out mid-January which should be next week.

Inspector Norse by Todd Terje

Some "S'éteint Le Soleil" remixes

Yelle had a remix competition for "S'éteint Le Soleil" that ended December 25 and therefore some remixes are starting to pop-up. We've gathered some of them we like the most and of course also the official winners.

The latest we got was Hemo Dj's remix that is a nice one with a lot of house piano. Mistereric's remix I like very much and Mirabel's (former What Kind Of Breeze Do You Blow?) is a solid piece.

Yelle - S'éteint Le Soleil (Hemo Dj's Remix) (320 kbps)

Yelle - S'éteint Le Soleil (Mistereric Remix) (320 kbps)

Yelle - S'éteint Le Soleil (Mirabel Remix) (320 kbps)

But the Top 3 regarding to Yelle and the jury was these three below, where the more melancholic Ridù remix is my fave.

Yelle .:. S'eteint Le Soleil (INNER WORLDS Remix) by INNER WORLDS

Yelle - S'éteint le soleil (Ridù Remix) by DJRidu

Yelle - S'eteint Le Soleil (Discokungen Remix) by Discokungen

Gin Joints

This is a post I've been wanting to write for a while now, but our Best of lists took up all our time and we wanted them be up a bit longer in the top than our regular posts. But now it's time for our Swedish friend Gin Joints.

From the northern parts of Sweden, with his background in hip hop, he now has turned his vision into the more funky 80's disco. "For Tonight" is his second release, and it's as solid so that even Aeroplane featured the Neon Workout remix in his December mixtape. Gin Joints has got a lot of great words out there regarding his first two releases and hopefully he will continue releasing nice funky vibes.

Teq05 A1 Gin Joints - For Tonight by Discotheque ála Carte

Teq05 B2 Gin Joints - For Tonight Neon Workout Remix by Discotheque ála Carte

Teq05 B1 Gin Joints - Should Have by Discotheque ála Carte

Teq05 B1 Gin Joints - Should Have by Discotheque ála Carte

A1 Gin Joints - Know The Ledge by Discotheque ála Carte

Buy the "For Tonight" release here and his first release "Know The Ledge" here. And then as a final bonus we must share the Aeroplane mixtape that featured Gin Joints / Neon Workout along with a bunch of other fine tunes. (Tracklist in the comments.)

Aeroplane December 2011 Mix by Aeroplane (Official)

Rey & Kjavik

Some of our followers may have been surprised at some of the tunes on our Best of 2011 lists as we hadn't previously blogged them. Well, some tunes takes some listening to to grow to its full potential, sometimes it takes a little time for a great tune to become a fantastic one. Also, since we can't possibly post everything we like, there can sometimes be some oversights from our part.

As I wrote in my list, one of the best songs from last year was Gotye and Kibra's duet "Somebody That I Used To Know" which is out there in a lot of versions, some great and some less great. RUFUS' edit was better than great, and so is this from Icelandic duo Rey & Kjavik. Will Gotye even come back to haunt us on the best of 2012 lists too?

I don't know much about them, but at this point I don't need to know. One, because I'm sure we will hear more about them soon. And two, just listen to that Gotye edit!

Gotye - Somebody That I Used To Know (Rey & Kjavik Repaint) (256 kbps)

Actually, their other stuff is great too. Listen to this edit of Yazoo's classic for example.

Yazoo - Don't Go (Rey & Kjavik Edit) (256 kbps)

And their upcoming EP sounds really tasty too. Especially the last two tracks.

Rey & Kjavik - Wooden Chapter

Rey & Kjavik - Lora

Rey & Kjavik - Out of the Dust by Rey & Kjavik

Arnie Becker's best of 2011

So, the most important post of the year I guess. Every year it's the same thing; you want to cram together all your current favourites while at the same time try to remember what you listened to a year ago. 2011 was a year where classic French rock electro continued its decline (somebody forgot to tell Justice, who made an all-out rock album), and the mid-80s synth disco pastels faded into the later 80s and early 90s house and the earlier deep disco.

Do I like this development? Well, do I like deep basslines? Yeah! Do I like crude handclaps? You bet! Do I like house piano? Hell yeah! You might notice all of this on my list. And if you hadn't figured out that I'm the one with the house/techno background and Jonny the one with the indie background, I think our lists reveal that. That said, we of course have a lot of favourites on each others lists.

And now for the mandatory complaints about how hard it has been to decide on the list. 2011 was a good year as evidenced by a shortlist for the top 25 of well over 80 tunes, so there are a lot of people who probably deserve an honourable mention. It was also difficult to pin down the very top of the list, with probably all of the top five or ten topping at some point. Anyway, here it is!

#25. Birkii - Shade Of Doubt

Birkii was one of the great discoveries through Kitsuné. Funky and cute as a button at the same time. Birkii's voice reminds me a lot of 60s singer Nico (whose song "These Days" plays while Gwyneth Paltrow exits the bus in "The Royal Tenenbaums"). Lovely verse and lovely bridge.

Birkii - Shade Of Doubt (320 kbps)


#24.Sneaky Sound System - Big (Oliver Remix)

2011 was a great year for Oliver. The Cerrone 'cover' "Memories Of The Future" was a huge track, as was "Footsteps". Their Penguin Prison remix was great too, but in the end I went with their remix of Sneaky Sound System that we put to good use through the year.

Sneaky Sound System - Big (Oliver Remix) (320 kbps)


#23. Alex Winston - Sister Wife (Moonlight Matters Remix)

The Belgian disco wonder continued their quest of world domination. Moonlight Matters' remix of Alex Winston combined a nice original with some funky bass and intense strings.

Alex Winston - Sister Wife (Moonlight Matters Remix) (320 kbps)


#22. Cavaliers of Fun - GOLD

Holographic People had a good début year with a string of great releases from great artists. My favourite was Cavaliers of Fun's album, and on that the make out electro song "GOLD", which also will be one of the few slow dance tracks on this list.

Cavaliers of Fun - GOLD (320 kbps)
(Exclusive present to our dear readers from Cavaliers of Fun!)

#21. Munk - Rue De Rome (Cécile Remix)

At Gomma it was business as usual, the German label being a standard bearer of high-quality disco. One of our favourite acts from them, Munk, had one of our favourite albums and favourite singles released, and the "Rue de Rome" single came with a bunch of great remixes. My favourite was by Cécile.

Munk - Rue De Rome (Cecile Remix) (128 kbps)
(buy the full quality version here)

#20. Electric Youth - Fade Away

Hopefully the inclusion on the "Drive" soundtrack will help Electric Youth reach a wider audience - they're well worth it. "Right Back To You" was a great single, but I actually preferred the B-side "Fade Away". Great Hi-NRG pop with nice hooks and a nice break.

Electric Youth - Fade Away (320 kbps)


#19. Chilly Gonzales - You Can Dance (Robotaki Remix)

Chilly Gonzales' "You Can Dance" was one of the singles of the year with a lot of great remixes (Fare Soldi, Edwin Van Cleef and Gemini Club for example). My favourite was that by young Canadian Robotaki who followed up his massive remix of Kavinsky's "Nightcall" from last year.

Chilly Gonzales - You Can Dance (Robotaki Remix) (320 kbps)


#18. Chad Valley - I Want Your Love

Already we're up to the second, and last, slow dance of my list. Well, slow for my standards anyway, since it has a certain beat to it. At any case Chad Valley has made a beautiful song that I think would work both in a symphony orchestra version or covered by someone like Björk.

Chad Valley - I Want Your Love (320 kbps)


#17. Joakim - Forever Young

Joakim always makes great music with some sort of twist to it. "Forever Young" from his excellent "Nothing Gold" album is like soundtrack of a an artsy 60s French movie played by a marching band. Nothing like his "Drumtrax" but just as good!

Joakim - Forever Young (320 kbps)


#16. Strange Talk - Eskimo Boy

Strange Talk was another great Kitsuné find from last year who make awesome indie dance in the Phoenix-mould. The self-titled debut EP was delayed to this year, but it was worth the wait. I really like all the tracks, and since "Climbing Walls" is disqualified after its Kitsuné release last year, I picked "Eskimo Boy".

Strange Talk - Eskimo Boy (285 vbr)


#15. Mercury - You Lift Me Up

I've been on and on about 90s house during the year. I've usually meant the very early 90s or very late 80s. Mercury's excellent is a little less retro, the cleaner sounds and bouncing rhythm sounds more 1998 than 1990, and makes me want to pull out all my old Nite Grooves and Nervous vinyls.

Mercury - You Lift Me Up (128 kbps)
(Buy the full-quality version here)


#14. New Look - Janet

New Look's "Janet" is a great electropop (or should I say electro-R'n'B?) song. The intro and the beat sounds like something Jellybean Benitez or Arthur Baker/John Robie could have made in 1983. That coupled with great vocals makes another great find of 2011.

New Look - Janet (320 kbps)


#13. Kamp! - Cairo

We've been on and on about Kamp! for a long time, almost since we started the blog. We were fortunate enough to tag along with them through Poland, where we learned they're not just a great studio band, but an awesome live band as well. One of our favourite songs was "Cairo", which was the song they used to start off the show with. That made us happy when it was picked up by Discotexas, who deservedly gave the band a bigger platform than their own Brennessel netlabel. We can't wait to bring them to Stockholm this spring!

Kamp! - Cairo (128 kbps)
(Buy the full-quality version here)


#12. Hannulelauri - Europa

There seem to be few people in the world who can gel together disco and progressive house in such an awesome way as our dear brothers in the east - the Finns. I'm thinking of people like Michael Cassette, Helsinki 78-82 and of course Hannulelauri who made great remixes of Headman, Processory and Jupiter, as well as some great originals. "Europa" was my favourite.

Hannulelauri - Europa (128 kbps)
(Buy the full-quality version here)


#11. Cut Copy - Pharaohs & Pyramids

Cut Copy was finally back with a new album. As a huge fan I was a little disappointed with it, but then again, hoping for another album like "In Ghost Colours" was always some pretty high expectations, and after all I think "Zonoscope" is a good album. And "Pharaohs & Pyramids" was Cut Copy in great old form.

Cut Copy - Pharaohs & Pyramids (320 kbps)


#10. Pacific! - Unspoken (Anoraak Remix)

I like how Anoraak always makes his tunes in a distinct wedge shape; slow beginning, and then it builds and builds, layer after layer. That makes for perfect intro tracks. His Pacific! remix is a case in point; it starts off with a simple guitar chord, a lush synth and the delicate vocals from the original. Halfway through it kicks into disco gear with a nice galloping beat.

Pacific! - Unspoken (Anoraak Remix) (320 kbps)


#9. Noah and the Whale - Life Is Life (Yuksek Remix)

Yuksek totally changed Noah and the Whale's "Life is Life" from a pretty sleepy pop track to a disco feast with it's hammering synth and funky disco boogie bass.

Noah and the Whale - Life Is Life (Yuksek Remix) (320 kbps)


#8. Xinobi - Hawaii

Xinobi was responsible for one of the party tracks of 2011. Also one of the few tracks that actually don't need more cowbell. We played a lot with our friends La Petite Putain over the year, and we used to have a competition on who played "Hawaii" first. The result was always a frantic dancefloor.

Xinobi - Hawaii (128 kbps)
(buy the full quality version here)


#7. Gotye ft Kimbra - Somebody That I Used To Know (RUFUS Re-edit)

Gotye and Kimbra's duet was one of the most beautiful songs of the year. When Kimbra's voice comes in in the second verse it always gives me goosebumps. But dance music fan as I am, I actually prefer RUFUS' edit over the original.

Gotye ft Kimbra - Somebody That I Used To Know (RUFUS Re-edit) (320 kbps)


#6. Mark Ronson - Record Collection 2012 (Perseus Remix)

Not only did Leon of Perseus run one of the best labels of 2011 - French Express - somehow he managed to make some excellent remixes and originals too. We could easily have added a couple of Perseus tracks more, but in the end I went for the Mark Ronson remix.

Mark Ronson - Record Collection 2012 (Perseus Remix) (320 kbps)


#5. The Rapture - How Deep Is Your Love? (Populette Remix)

The Rapture's "How deep is your love?" was another epic tune with a million awesome remixes thanks DFA's remix competition. But my favourite was still the Populette remix on the EP. Only problem is that it's so short.

The Rapture - How Deep Is Your Love? (Populette Remix) (192 kbps)


#4. Tensnake - Something About You

Tensnake made one of the tracks that I have danced to the most during the year. It's also an interesting track in that most other tracks have at least two peaks while this is more like one long build-up to the (that's right) house piano drops, and then it ends. But what a piano!

Tensnake - Something About You (128 kbps)
(buy the full quality version here)


#3. Niki and the Dove - Mother Protect (Goldroom Remix)

Goldroom is another renaissance man. We've been huge fans of the Binary crew for a long time: the blog, the label and the music collective. What we didn't know was that the producer who would be our favourite was the one running most of it, and who to our knowledge didn't make music himself. Well, this year Josh really stepped out of the shadows.

Niki and the Dove - Mother Protect (Goldroom Remix) (320 kbps)


#2. Jonas Rathsman - Tobago

One of the most hyped up tracks of the year. Jonas Rathsman's entry on the French Express 2 compilation with its Alexander O'Neill sample bode well, but hearing this on The Magician's Magic tape really made our mouths water. With a sound so calory rich so you can feel the heart clogging up, spiced up with some summery tropical disco and nice use of samples, this was really close to the top spot.

Jonas Rathsman - Tobago by French Express


#1. Lykke Li - I Follow Rivers (The Magician Remix)

Picking a number one was hard this year, but speaking of The Magician, in the end I went with his remix of the blog Queen from a couple of years back: Lykke Li. He turned a good pop song into a proper dancefloor anthem that sums up 2011 perfectly with the disco and retro house currents combined - of course including house piano! It's no coincidence that both me and Jonny chose a The Magician track as number ones on our respective lists - he really had a great year.

Lykke Li - I Follow Rivers (The Magician Remix) (320 kbps)

RAR #1: Arnie Becker's best of 2011 Part I (tracks 1-12)
RAR #2: Arnie Becker's best of 2011 Part II (tracks 13-25)