Our musical sympathies have gained a year of maturity, and the ever-changing landscape of popular dance music has shifted — both important factors that have weighed heavily on these EP selections. I’d like to think we were a bit more bold in our decision-making for the top EPs of this past year, as compared to our Top 10 EPs of 2009. Looking back at ’09, I almost feel like we were gung-ho on mass appeasement, ensuring we were aligned with the safe-haven of widespread appeal. Whereas for 2010, we were relentless slaves to our own musical passion, selecting releases that we, on a visceral level, were moved by. One thing that hasn’t changed is that our assessment looks at these releases both on a track-by-track level, and how the work coalesces as a whole. Enjoy.
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Top Ten EPs of 2010:
01 | Coma Cat
Artist: Tensnake
Remixing Artists: N/A
Label: Defected Records / Permanent Vacation
Release Date: January 2010
Cat #: PERMAVAC049-1
Beatport
Any electronic dance music aficionado could have predicted that 2010 was disco’s year for the taking, but no one could have foreseen the impression that Tensnake’s Coma Cat EP left on music enthusiasts of all denominations. With arguably two of the top-20 tracks of the year, in Need Your Lovin and Coma Cat, there is little mystery as to why this release represents the absolute pinnacle of all dance music for 2010. Simply put, every time we hear those glass-orb disco stabs during the second breakdown of Coma Cat, time virtually stands still, reality becomes blurred, and our goosebumps are the only physical reminder that we’re still alive.
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02 | Variations
Artist: Gesaffelstein
Remixing Artists: N/A
Label: Turbo
Release Date: November 2010
Cat #: TURBO093
Beatport
We were privileged enough to discover the unmistakable aura of Gesaffelstein back in August, when we ventured on an impromptu road-trip to Montreal to celebrate Turbo’s unveiling of Azari & III, alongside Mike Mind and Thomas von Party. The evening proceeded as any other, impressive yet ordinary, that is until Mike cued the track Selected Faces off of the Variations EP. My heart instantly crept into my throat, and I knew that this was something alien; some piece of bygone electronica from the Turbo vault that was destined to save us from vintage techno mediocrity. In one sentence, this release was techno’s black swan for 2010, crafted with surgical precision, innocently lured into the most menacing depths of rave, treading the silk thread that separates absurdity with genius.
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03 | Without You / Vampire Nightclub
Artist: Art Department (Kenny Glasgow & Jonny White)
Remixing Artists: N/A
Label: Crosstown Rebels
Release Date: August 2010
Cat #: CRM064
Beatport
This one represents a resounding “win” for the city of Toronto, but honestly speaking, geographic sympathies played absolutely no part in our assessment of this two-track release from Art Department. Without You has been repeatedly billed as the track of 2010, resuscitating the haunted allure of house music from the 1990′s. Vampire Nightclub continues this trajectory, with the same melodic harmonies, unmistakable downtempo basslines, slow mode arpeggiators, and timely vocal assistance from the always eccentric Seth Troxler. Not to mention, their set at The Social during Nuite Blanche was one of the most impressive musical experiences of the year.
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04 | Midnight Madness
Artist: Clement Meyer
Remixing Artists: Olibusta, Sian Finglas
Label: Get The Curse Music
Release Date: March 2010
Cat #: GTCM001
Beatport
Some will suggest that we’ve gone completely off the board for our number four selection, but we must warn you not to let a veil of ignorance sway your sentiments. Clement Meyer’s Midnight Madness EP was the inaugural release from Get The Curse Music, a Parisian label that was sown from the seeds of an incredible collection of podcasts and one of the most respected techno blogs on the web. This release stands out for its willingness to take chances, refusing direction, except those that lead to the obscure. A Bucket of Blood easily makes my top-10 track list for the year, and the Olibusta remix of Midnight Madness isn’t so far off either.
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05 | U Got Me
Artist: Lee Foss
Remixing Artists: N/A
Label: Hot Creations
Release Date: August 2010
Cat #: HOTC003
Beatport
Throwback 90′s house was an undeniable recipe for success this past year, but I must add that only in the rarest of instances was it done properly. Lee Foss’ U Got Me EP was one of the shining examples of how soulful vocals, deep bass guitar riffs, pitched-down grooves and massive snares could still be tasteful, and incredible. A couple different tunes off this EP have solidified a lofty place in our overall track rankings, and you can expect the entire Hot Creations label (founded by Jamie Jones) to hold their own in our 2010 label rankings as well.
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06 | Honey Comb / Brood Comb
Artist: Matt Walsh
Remixing Artists: Camel, Monsieur Monsieur, Sei A, Clement Meyer, Mike Mind, etc.
Label: Waxon Music / Seinan Music
Release Date: April 2010 / July 2010
Cat #: WOM003 / SEI006
Beatport / Beatport
Matt Walsh’s Honey Comb (released on Wax:On) and Brood Comb (released on Seinan) was billed as two separate releases, but given the fact that they contain remixes for the same song, we took the liberty to combine them. Featuring a King’s ransom of quality remixes by some of the world’s finest techno and house music producers, this double release is 2010′s prime example of “strength in numbers”. Whether it was Monsieur Monseiur’s big room rendition, Mike Mind‘s always reliable acid cut, or the obscure piece by Clement Meyer — there was something for everyone on this two part remix package, amounting to a great debut for Matt Walsh.
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07 | Black Billionaires
Artist: Carte Blanche (Mehdi & Riton)
Remixing Artists: N/A
Label: Ed Banger / Because Music
Release Date: May 2010
Cat #: BEC5772672
Beatport
When we heard through the grapevine that DJ Mehdi and Henry Riton were collaborating on an EP for Ed Banger, the expectations were instantly sky-high. Bearing this in mind when we finally got our hands on the release, we were still blown away. Gare Du Nord is the tune that resonates almost universally among EDM listeners; a track which takes us back to Miami’s Winter Music Conference 2010, when Brodinski, Mehdi and Busy P spun back-to-back-to-back at a venue formerly known as the White Room. What a party, what a song. Great to see Ed Banger back on the map with quality releases, and we look forward to more from this talented tandem.
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08 | Calypso
Artist: Round Table Knights
Remixing Artists: N/A
Label: Made To Play
Release Date: February 2010
Cat #: MTP025
Beatport
This release changed the way the world now looks at the steel drum. Perhaps the most infectious melody of the year, Calypso was the track that effectively wrote the book on tropical house, and simultaneously closed the book on tropical house, as few were brave enough to emerge from this track’s shadow. The B-side on this two track collection, entitled Drop The Dow, is no throw-away either, albeit a much more traditional house cut. The massive success of Round Table Knights was a big win for Jesse Rose, and the entire camp at Made To Play, and with an LP set for an early 2011 release, RTK is set for another big year.
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09 | Forever You
Artist: L-Vis 1990
Remixing Artists: N/A
Label: Night Slugs
Release Date: July 2010
Cat #: NS005
Beatport
Forever You is one of those rare instances where futurism and anachronism haphazardly collide to produce something truly brilliant, and refreshing. Last year it was Reckless For Your Love by our Toronto homies Azari & III, and this year it was L-Vis 1990′s turn, with this beautiful release on Night Slugs. The entire EP comes together beautifully with an essential dub mix, a very enticing reprise, as well as two b-side originals for good measure. The original mix also ranks quite highly in our top automotive cruising tunes for 2010.
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10 | Vaporizer
Artist: Gingy & Bordello
Remixing Artists: Rynecologist
Label: This Is Music / More Music
Release Date: August 2010
Cat #: TIMORE004
Beatport
Vaporizer was one the most innovative hard-hitting techno tracks of the year, and it didn’t take long for the likes of Simian Mobile Disco, Dubfire & Brodinski to notice. We hate to use the term banger, but we love to use the word tasteful, so we’ll pair them together here and call it a day. Vaporizer is summed up with one of the most well-thought-out grooves we had heard all year, and a synth that balanced the attack, the resonance, and the release all seamlessly — amounting to a shriek that ultimately sounds like Satan tearing souls apart. Add to this a super-groovy remix by the lava-hot Rynecologist, and a catchy minimal B-side, entitled Partikal, it would have been silly to leave this release off our final rankings.
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11 | Mommy/ Daddy
Artist: Populette
Remixing Artists: TBD, Harkin & Raney
Label: Throne Of Blood
Release Date: March 2010
Cat #: TOB004
Beatport
Is it techno? Is it acid? Is it disco? We’re not quite sure why we’re so enamored with this release by Populette, but you can certainly start with the infectious rave stabs in the Original mix of Daddy, moving on to the ice-cold acid bassline, eventually layered with a totally opportune conga loop. Ok, I’ve figured it out, we love this release because it literally amalgamates everything we know and appreciate about electronic music into two near-perfect original tracks. The two remixes aren’t much more than a bonus for us here, but we can honestly say that both Mommy and Daddy showcase Populette’s vice grip on good electronic music.
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12 | Man From Earth Remixes
Artist: Jori Hulkkonen
Remixing Artists: Astronomer, Sei A, Jesper Dahlback, Matt Walsh, Alex Jones, Guy J
Label: Turbo
Release Date: March 2010
Cat #: TURBO079
Beatport
When this release first came out, I thought it was destined to be number one in our 2010 EP rankings. Obviously my infatuation cooled, but my undying love for each of these tunes lives on. The Astronomer remix of Man From Earth will go down as own of the most underrated techno tunes of 2010, presenting something so mysterious, yet so enjoyable. Oh yes, the Sei A remix, the Guy J remix, the Jesper Dahlback remix and the Matt Walsh/Alex Jones collabo on the EP aren’t too bad either. It’s really unfortunate that Turbo couldn’t get a half-decent line-up for this remix package. What a shame… Seriously though, it doesn’t doesn’t get much better than this for a bundle of techno remixes.
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13 | Arma EP
Artist: French Fries
Remixing Artists: Bok Bok, Tomb Crew, BeatauCue
Label: Youngunz
Release Date: January 2010
Cat #:
Beatport
Granted that this one-time vogue sound is well past its expiry date, it would have certainly been unfair to leave this EP off our list entirely. Both Senta and Predador were influential in the same foreign vocal – big drum – tropical house vein as tunes like Calypso, and they were undeniable dance floor gems. The remixes on this EP are fun and enticing as well, enlisting a young and fresh group of talent. There is no mistaking that this was the coming out party for French label Youngunz.
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