I have always had a hard time with punctuality, despite always striving to improve as a person with the years, it’s perhaps one of my biggest defaults. Always better late than never though, so two months into 2012, here is my best of 2011 selection, the top ten tracks that have really worked for me last year. I don’t mean only on the dancefloor, but tracks that I have enjoyed at home, being played by other djs, on the radio. Here we go, my top ten of 2011, in no particular order.

Little Dragon – Nightlight – Peacefrog records

Wow these guys have really hit the spot this year. I saw them live at Café de la Danse in Paris in April 2011 and Yukimi the singer absolutely rocks such great energy and a wicked voice. There are so many little dragon tracks to choose from, but I really like this moody one that has actually been used by FIFA this year. Combining pop, electro, house music, funk … anything Little Dragon does gets me excited. Definitely on the look out for more of this in 2012!

Lunice – Fancy Forty – Lucky Me

First heard this being played by DJ Jase Nguyen during his Paris dj set at Favela Chic. I love the bounce in the beats, the synth behind and the vocal clips. Definitely a track I’ve played in a number of my sets since. Jase is Vietnam’s number one dj, if you go to Saigon, seek him out.

Jesse Boykins III – B4 the Night is Thru – Alala records

My good friend and dj partner da’vince introduced me to this track via a facebook post and I got hold of it on 7″ at Betino’s Record Shop early this year in Paris. Great production from Machine Drum and wicked vocals from the young singer that I was able to witness live later in 2011 thanks to the boys at Free Your Funk. Definitely a talent to watch for this year and I await any of his new material with eager!

Alex Agore – I Got Something – Development music

90s deep house has become quite a big phenomenon this year thanks to people like Jeremy Underground Paris and his amazing My Love is Underground imprint, Chris Thomas at Qalomota and a host of young and talented producers : Inner Sense, DJ Steaw, Brawther, Lemy Leopard, Kool Vibe, James Johnston and … Alex Agore. This track was actually released just after the new year but it definitely represents this scene that is bursting with energy today. Alex has made an epic number that reminds me of early Barbara Tucker on Strictly, needless to say that is has been pumped out at mona quite a few times already!

Ramadanman – Don’t Change for me – Hessle Audio

Another big big big comeback scene for me is the 90s hardcore pre drum and bass vibe that is definitely a massive influence for the dubstep producers of today. Ramadanman captures this vibe brillantly here with this amazing track full of energy and deepness. I’m really enjoying the material that is being produced by people like Ramadanman, Joy Orbison, VIVEK, SBTRKT … really crossing the tracks from dubstep into house music with input coming from the 90s drum and bass and rave scene. Great stuff !

Lone – Approaching Rainbow – R&S records

The third 90s revival that is coming back strong is the rave sound. Here Lone renders a superb house piece that would be the perfect sunrise sound track, with lush chord stabs and intricate latin influenced house beats. This man brings back the best of 808 state, A guy called Gerald, Baby Ford all at once on R&S records, such a perfect label to release on considering it’s history in the domain. Lone can do no wrong at the moment and I would love to have him come over and play at mona sometime.

Scuba – Feel it – Hot Flush

Yet more UK based production on the amazing Hot Flush label that champions the house – bass music cross over. This is a definite late night mona classic, bringing out that crucial warehouse vibe that can turn your club night into a strobe light driven rave. Definitely feeling it.

Dj Rum – Turiya – 2nd drop records

Again more 90s influences, and again coming out of London. I was always a big UK garage / 2step fan, a style that never caught on unfortunately in France. I used to sell garage records at DMC 10 years ago and djs loved them, there were no clubs and no scene for it though, such a shame! This piece is deep, I love the attention he gives to sound and the cinematic atmosphere that is created as the track unfolds. Don’t know much about this guy unfortunately.

Modeselektor – Berlin – Monkeytown records

Definitely a soulful number from the electronics of this Berlin crew that have been producing techno, hip hop and electro since 1996! Big up to Gilles Peterson for showing the way once again.

Rim & Kasa – Love me for real (Red Greg edit) – ZEDD records

My last guest at mona in 2011 was Red Greg one of the world’s deepest disco and boogie diggers. His compilation “under the influence” on Joey Negro’s ZEDD records, is a glimpse of the wonderful world of music that this man plays out as a dj in clubs. Here is one of his edits also on the compilation, a track on the verge of disco boogie and the punk funk sound à la tom tom club. A great discovery just like the majority of the songs Red Greg unearths for us.