Staff Chart: 10 best tracks of 2011 (Karen Ka Ying Chan)

 Our intern Karen's most loved tracks of 2011, in alphabetical order:

1. Chicago Skyway - Bad Driver (Aroy Dee Edit) [M>O>S Deep]

Chi-sound is the best sound. Yes, Chicago Skyway (real name Sean Hernandez), as you may have already guessed, is actually from the windy city. He makes deep, raw, and jackin' music. There's so much energy in this track I can't get enough of it. The original version isn't released yet, but M>O>S label boss Aroy Dee has done a pretty amazing job on the edit.

2. Delta Funktionen - Another Dimension [Ann Aimee]

What a banger! Heavy, heart-throbbing... it's just BIG. You gotta put this tune on really loud and bounce to it, right now.

3. Dexter - Great Northern Driver [Clone Basement]

I couldn't decide if T.H.I.N.G. (featured on the same EP) or this track was better. But I like the heavier, bassier, more acid-y sound of Great Northern Driver. Dexter never disappoints because he doesn't really stick to a certain sound. Check also his Clone Clown-released 'Space Booty/ Fat Skinny People' 12", it's got a completely different, more electro-y and breaks kind of vibe.

4. Ital - Culture Clubs [Lovers Rock]

This song sounds really weird, druggy and hypnotic. It's a bit off-key and off-beat too but that's what makes it so special.

5. Instra:mental - Vicodin (Skudge Warehouse Remix) [Naked Lunch]

Alex Green (one half of Instra:mental) is one of my favourite producers. Everything he's done this year - whether as Boddika or Instra:mental, is just huge. Not to mention the brilliant Resolution 653 album. The original version of Vicodin is amazing, and Skudge further establishes it into a deeper, darker, bassier track. Grand Prix on the flip is really nice too.

6. Magic Touch - Clubhouse [100% Silk]

Not Not Fun imprint 100% Silk have done incredibly well this year. This track samples the vocals from Clubhouse's 1991 track Deep In My Heart. It's exactly the kind of music I wanna dance to in a club. Real house-y, real good.

7. Pangaea - Hex [Hemlock]

Super thick and intense percussion. Scary and bizarre vocals. Pangaea has literally transformed words like 'agressive', 'angry', 'dark' and 'scary' into dance music, and it works really well.

8. Seahawks & Autre Ne Veut - Don's Rainbow [Ocean Moon]

Seahawks' cosmic yacht rock + Autre Ne Veut's mesmerising, twisted vocals = mindblowing. The melancholic melody sweeps me away like a sadness in life. So good it hurts.

Don's Rainbow - Seahawks & Autre Ne Veut from Seahawks music on Vimeo.

9. Teeth - Shawty [502]

Three words: dark, sultry, and (subtly) provocative. The vocals really add to the whole track as well. The music video is worth checking out too, it's equally seductive. The FaltyDL remix is not bad either.

10. Unknown Artist - People Of Earth [Amp Art]

Picked up this record at Phonica at the beginning of the year, I really like the groovy and soulful downtempo electronic/funk sound it's got. Beautiful.

Juno's Deep House Recommendations Best of 2011

The nice fellas from Juno have featured Brawther's 'Do It Yourself' EP on the top of their best-of-2011 deep house chart. 

Our boy Ethyl's 'Three Feet High' single (which he splits with Huxley) comes 14.

Well done boys! 

Staff Chart: 10 best tracks of 2011 (Jono Mallett)

The second staff chart is brought to you by our intern Jono, find out what his 2011 top 10 tracks are:

1. Behling & Simpson - Left Behind [Futureboogie]

What a year for Futureboogie, having finally setup their reord label with a string of super solid releases. This one is the standout track on the imprint for me, so far. I actually rarely listen to it, as it's on constant loop in the back of my mind. Simply amazing.

2. Maxi Mill - To The Next [Rush Hour]

Really nice bouncy goodness, Bububuum!

3. Move D - Your Personal Healer (Hydraulic Guitar by Juju) [Uzuri]

A track to completely lose yourself to.

4. Delano Smith - Lost In Detroit [Apparel Music]

Keep finding myself always coming back to this track whenever I DJ. Killer record.

APL005 Delano Smith - Lost in Detroit by Apparel Music

5. Lee Jones - Moment (Alt Mix) [Aus Music]

A pretty fresh release but one of my tracks of the year all the same. Shame it never got a vinyl release as this one if digital only.

Download

6. Session Victim - Good Intentions [Retreat]

A real classy track by two of my favourite vegetarian Germans, who played one of my sets of the year at Freejive's 4th birthday. I think 'cool' is the most apt word to describe this tune.

7. Wbeeza - Coast Spotting [Third Ear]

Simple and almost trance-like but very effective. Is minimal-trance a genre? If it is, apparently I like it.

8. Little Dragon - Ritual Union [Sony]

This is more of a mod to the album as a whole, so I chose the eponymous track on the LP to represent. I could listen to (and look at) Yukimi Nagano all day long.

9. Midland - Through Motion (Tevo Howard Remix) [Aus]

The original is superb but this remix by Tevo Howard is something else. The gentle keys and vocals sit really nicely on the subtle bassline. Kinda like acid on valium.

10. Steffi - Sadness [Ostgut Ton]

Haunting and beautiful.

What do you think so far? What're your favourite tracks of 2011? There will be more staff charts posted on Monday, keep your eyes peeled. 

Staff Chart: 10 best tracks of 2011 (Tom Ham)

This is the festive season, which is also the time when the internet is swamped with end-of-year lists. We, at The Secret Agency, would like to share with you some tracks that we've enjoyed, and in many cases, still astounded by, throughout this year. Kicking things off is our agent Tom...

(In no particular order)

1. Appleblim - Moon Light [Vitalik]

Appleblim doesn't really release much solo material, and this is his first since his Skull Disco days. Releases on Vitalik Recordings in conjunction with We Love, entitled 'We Love Vitalik' more like this pelase, Blim, though I doubt we will see it :)

2. Arkist - Fill Your Coffee [Apple Pips]

Superb release from Arkist, firmly putting him on the map as a diverse and strong producer.

3. Bass Clef - I Think You Are Ready Now For The Eternal Point Of No Return [MAGIC + DREAMS]

Awesome tune. Also check the video made, it kinda goes hand in hand with this tune.

4. Clams Casino - All I Need [Type]

Releasing his 'Instrumental mixtape' gave a whole new take on what the original production were indented to do, originally coming out as a free download then finally getting the vinyl release it deserves.

5. Floating Points - Arp 3 [Eglo]

Capping off 2011 with an awesome EP, keeping him as hot property of the Eglo campus.

6. Four Tet - Pyramid [Text]

Sums up Four Tet's earthy take on dancefloor music. Produced for his Fabric mix to encapsulate the atmosphere of the parties held at Fabric. Job done.

7. Juk Juk - Winter Turns Spring [Text]

Massive debut release, grabbing the attention of many and getting released on Four Tet's Text Recordings.

8. Lucky Paul - I Thought We Were Alone feat. Milosh ( Gadi Mizarhi & Eli Gold - Money vs. Gold Remix) [Wolf + Lamb]

Great debut release for Lucky Paul, though I think this remis pulls out all main points of the original and makes it work for the club environment.

9. Radiohead - Codex [XL]

I could have put many songs from 'The Kings Of Limbs' down here, but this one felt right for the list. Radiohead continue to blur the lines of genre and continue to appeal to so many.

10. The Weeknd - What You Need [self-released]

A great year for 21-year-old Abel Tesfaye, aka The Weeknd. Two albums down, and one to go and all for free! The first is my favourite entitled 'House Of Ballons' with tracks like The Morning and The Party & The After Party delivering a narrative and soundtrack to the all too familiar drug induced stupor.

There are more best-of-2011 charts coming your way next week, stay tuned! 

UStream live interview with Âme tonight

Tonight at 21:00 GMT, Frank from Âme of Innervisions will be taking the hot seat for the first of a number of ustream interviews we are hosting on our very own secretsundaze ustream channel. You will be able to send in your questions during the interview session by loggin in with your Twitter/ Facebook account in the ustream chat feed appearing on the right hand side. If you're lucky you'll get them answered by Âme in real time!

Make sure you tune in at 21:00 GMT tonight, on HERE.

Adam Marshall launches new imprint NKLTD

Our Toronto-born, Berlin-based roster Adam Marshall is launching a new imprint, NKLTD. The first release from this sub-label will come from Adam himself, featuring two of his own tracks, and backed up by a Kevin McPhee remix. The 12" is currently being promo'd and have already received early support from Norman Nodge, Axel Boman, George Fitzgerald, Blawan, Cosmin TRG, and many more.

To celebrate this special occasion, Adam has put together a mix, which you can download below. On following his Resident Advisor mix in April, he once again chooses to showcase his imagination, the depth of his selections and his skills in the mix. Jammed full of new material, exclusive edits, Adam glides through the gears in this thrilling set.

Adam Marshall DJ Secret Fall Mix

In other Adam Marshall news, he has recently recruited The Mole to deliver the 31st release for his label New Kanada, more info to follow, watch this space...

DJ Mag chart 10 Years of secretsundaze as 2011's best compilation

It's that time of the year again - the internet and the world of publication are currently swamped with different end-of-year lists. The December issue of DJ Mag features Giles Smith and James Priestley's 10 Years Of Secretsundaze release as one of the best compilations of 2011. A well-deserved honour!

It has been a busy and great for secretsundaze, roll on 2012!