I think every DJ mix should have a story. My 2013 resolution is not to put mixes out there that I'm not completely passionate about. As such, each track is on here for a reason. Enjoy.
OSTRAKA - REVISION
Found him on Soundcloud and I just love his soundscapes. Perfect for setting the mood.
THE BEATLES - I AM THE WALRUS
I happened to catch Magical Mystery Tour for the 1st time on TV late last year. Whoa, trippy. At the time, playing with the stereo field was definitely experimental.
BARNT - GEFFEN
I heard this live and in several mixes this year, and I am convinced it is a communication from from an alien life form. This was otherworldly in Berghain
DAPHNI - YE YE
I have to give credit to the Mr. Sunday crew for putting me on to this track. It was definitely my soundtrack for the summer. This one gets better with each play.
LUCIANO - RISE OF ANGEL (ANDREA OLIVA REMIX)
What else can I say about one of my absolute (if not) favorite producers? From the minute Pete Tong dropped this on the Essential Mix, I knew it was making it onto my next mix. I can only imagine this at daybreak on the beaches of Ibiza.
RAY OKPARA - CHI THIS WONDER
The combination of that crawling bassline, synth stab and creature call (OK, I don't know what else to call it!) create one of the vibeist tracks of the past year.
JULIO BASHMORE - HUSK
With Julio, it was only a matter of which track to include. Something's definitely in the water in Brisol, what with the likes of Eats Everything, Waifs + Strays, Mr. Bashmore. Lovin' it all. The horn leading into the drop, followed by the bass drop is just crazy.
SHADOW CHILD - STRING THING
Man, this tracks gives me chills EVERY SINGLE TIME I play it. Super-timeless. Just when you're being driven crazy by the shuffling house beat, he drops those sick violins. Oh yeah, those spacey stabs which ring in my ears all day...
CATZ 'N DOGZ FT. MONTY LUKE - THEY FRONTIN'
Thanks to Heidi's podcast I was scouring the web for this one. Another use of a killer bassline with a funky vocal loop. More psychedelic stabs
MOODY - FREEKI MUTHA F CKER (CATZ 'N DOGZ EDIT)
I know it's another Catz/Dogz track but I couldn't pass this up when they offered the free download on Soundcloud after a unexpected early release on the internet forced their hand.
GEL ABRIL - 200 GRAMS
If I remember correctly, it was hearing this dropped by Aril Brikha in Berghain that sealed it for me. More morse code from outer space.
SCUBA - TALK TORQUE
Thanks Pete Tong for this debut. Along with being a prolific and controversial Twitterer, Scuba is just as intense in his productions.
ANDRES - NEW FOR U
So much good music this past year. Not many more evocative than this. There is not much to the track, and maybe it's the simplicity of the strings complementing the shuffling house beat. Beautiful.
SiS - FACES
This remix had been done already, but somehow SiS managed to keep it fresh. This man has a way with funky basslines.
LOCO DICE - DETOX
As another one of may favorite producers + DJs, a Loco Dice track/remix almost always finds its way into a mix. Thankfully we have the new Detox EP making things easy.
TREVINO - BACKTRACKING
Simply outstanding. The stabs are reminiscent of Daniel Wang, and the overall mood is evocative of a timeless 90's house track.
FLORIAN MENDL - FLASHMOB
Another fantastic producer and this bassline had me from the minute it dropped. It added a crazy sense of urgency to the track, daring you to just try and stand still.
PIRUPA - PHENOMENY
Although his 'Party Non-Stop' aptly described the rate at which that track was played in 2012, I decided to go with this free track he made available on Soundcloud, with a great use of the prolific Melle Mel sample.
MICHEL CLEIS - MIR A NERO
Slowing things down a bit with this Michel, who creates these prolific 10+ minute tracks that you just love from beginning to end.
MATTHEW DEKAY & LEE BURRIDGE - FUR DIE LIEBE
Closing this out with this beautiful production.