2014 YEAR END COUNTDOWN

Welcome to the 2014 Year End Countdown. This was the year of deep house, dominated by major labels such as Toolroom, Defected and Enormous Tunes. Many trends surfaced this year including increased 70s, 80s, and 90s vocal sampling, garage driven bass lines and funk fueled rhythms.

In addition, accompanying this countdown is a one hour radio show of the tracks mixed by Royski, which you can download or stream on our Soundcloud. Thanks again for all your support and cheers to 2015!

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1. Mark Knight, Discoworker, Robbie Leslie – The Diary of a Studio 54 DJ (Original Mix) (Toolroom)

Description: Diary Of A Studio 54 DJ pays homage to one of the most nostalgically held periods in house music and the influence it has reigned over Mark Knight’s own successful recording career. It’s an essential insight into the bigger picture in quality club music that Knight has embodied throughout his musical career.

Rating: ★★★★★

Genre: Tech House

Origin: UK

2. Oliver $, Jimi Jules – Pushing On (Original Mix) (Defected)

Description: Berlin-based House staple Oliver $ reunites with Swiss Jazz House aficionado Jimi Jules made magic happen at the beginning of 2014. Pushing On opens with an infectious percussive medley composed of tropical triangles and melodious 808-like cowbells. With the gradual introduction of the moody, Frankie Knuckles inspired, bass line and tailing piano chords, the track slowly transforms into an energetic homage to classic Chicago House. Quick to take center stage the track also features dusky vocal samples from Quantic Soul Orchestra, merging effortlessly with the wispy cymbal crashes, the song’s title and central lyrical theme, Pushing On, falls and confidently rises to drive the track to its spirited climax.

Rating: ★★★★

Genre: Deep House

Origin: Germany

3. Amtrac – Those Days (Original Mix) (Toolroom)

Rating: ★★★★★

Genre: House

Origin: USA

Description: Sometimes there’s no better way to summarize a track, then letting the artist speak for himself: “What I love most about House music is rhythm and soul. That’s the basis of everything this scene is about, and it’s what I strive for in every single one of my productions. This record was honestly a very happy accident – my production style is based on a lot of trial and error. Once I got the vocal chop together, I knew I had something. The majority of the track was made without any drums; they got added in the end. It’s easier for me to find the vibe and emotion of a song without the kick smacking my ears the whole time, but when I finally added the drums, the track really came to life.  I’ve been playing Toolroom records for a long, long time. So being the first release in the new-look Toolroom is an honor for me” – Amtrac

4. EDX – Cool You Off (Original Mix) (Enormous Tunes)

Rating: ★★★★★

Genre: Deep House

Origin: Switzerland

Description: EDX has been on a roll throughout 2014. With deeper vibes, yet still keeping his signature progressive sound, EDX’s Cool You Off features sweet vocals with delicate strings and groovy bass.

5. Arnold Jarvis, Danism – Reciprocated Love (City Soul Project Remix) (Noir Music)

Rating: ★★★★★

Genre: Deep House

Origin: UK

Description: Danism makes their debut on Noir Music with the emotional Reciprocated Love featuring the vocals of legend Arnold Jarvis. You have to love the stringled and super smooth song from first listen. This is deep house like it sounded back in the day and in general just a timeless effort by the Cambridge based guys. City Soul Project delivers the remix which is spot on quality with a more clubby edge.

6. Prince Club – Good Club (Original Club Mix) (Toolroom)

Rating: ★★★★★

Genre: Deep House

Origin: Canada

Description: Canadian DJ & producer duo Prince Club formed in late 2010. The duo have been making some serious waves in the dance scene with releases on tastemaker labels; Defected, Snatch!, Made To Play & Toolroom. Their versatile DJ sets and impressive mixing skills have awarded them praise from some of the biggest DJs and they continue to strengthen their position as House music royalty. “Good Club” features sexy vocals, layered over brilliant piano rifts, that send a shiver down any listeners back. The house soul is kept alive with some deep hitting bass, cleverly filling out the track.

7. ilan Bluestone – Spheres (Original Mix) (Anjunabeats)

Rating: ★★★★★

Genre: Trance

Origin: UK

Description: Brimming with plucky melodies and an unrelenting groove, “Spheres” launches into a driving bass riff ideal for the dance floor. Despite a more synthetic lead, the rich orchestral breakdown and harmonizing vocal pad ensure Ilan keeps one foot firmly in the musicality that has seen him become such a favorite for the Anjuna fan base.

8. Dosem – Chase The Link (Original Club Mix) (Suara)

Rating: ★★★★★

Genre: Techno

Origin: Spain

Description: Chase The Link, is a driving techno track that takes you deep into the dance floor.

9. Kokiri – Retrospect (Illyus & Barrientos Remix) (Love & Other)

Rating: ★★★★★

Genre: Deep House

Origin: UK

Description: Five star ratings are not given out often, but this deep house banger deserves it. With support from major names such as Mark Knight, Annie Mac, Ministry of Sound and others, plenty of artists are ranking this high in their playlists. Illyus & Barrientos add a darker deeper flavor on the remix, which hits upon subterranean of sounds of jungle and garage. In addition, the sultry vocals truly add a dramatic effect to the track.

10. Nora En Pure – You Are My Pride (Original Mix) (Enormous Tunes)

Rating: ★★★★★

Genre: Deep House

Origin: Switzerland

Description: You Are My Pride rolls out its ivory chords and sleazy slappin’ bassline that match brilliantly to the singing male vocals. Organic guitar licks create an excellent slab of laid-back funk. This summerish piece of deep house sets new standards and invites you to dream and relax.