2011 saw me spending more time in my car than ever before. I commute 39 miles each way to & from the office, so I've got plenty of time in any given week to catch up on the latest music.
The year's offerings on the Essential Mix were solid, and as I've done the past two years, I've compiled a list of my 10 favorite mixes from the roster of 50+.
Below you'll find the rankings, tracklists, and download links for each of my top 10. Grab them all and start your 2012 with some of the best tunes of the past year.
#1 - Robert Babicz Essential Mix 2011-03-26
Genre: Progressive House
Download
1. Robert Babicz – Intro
2. James Zabiela – Blame (Robert Babicz Remix) [Hope]
3. Robert Babicz – Insider [Unsigned]
4. Robert Babicz – Take It Deep [Bangbang]
5. Robert Babicz – Nektar [Babiczstyle]
6. Hardfloor – Acperience (Robert Babicz Remix)
7. Robert Babicz – From Manchester To Newcastle [Babiczstyle]
8. Robert Babicz – Vibrating Heart Toy [Babiczstyle]
9. Robert Babicz – Tblisi Reprise [Systematic]
10. Davi – Black Rock City (Robert Babicz Remix) [Subtract]
11. Robert Babicz – Slide Away [Intec]
12. Robert Babicz – Darkroom [Babiczstyle]
13. Robert Babicz – Merak [Systematic]
14. Robert Babicz – Remote Kiss (Explosive Bolts Remix) [Babiczstyle]
15. Stephan Helm – Taste (Robert Babicz Remix)
16. Eduardo Moises & Parlange – Lamb Sky (Robert Babicz Remix)
17. Robert Babicz – Beautiful Night [Subtract]
18. Robert Babicz – Dark Flower (Joris Voorn Remix / Babiczstyle Live Re-Edit) [Audiomatique]
19. Denis A – Cuba (Robert Babicz Sunshine Remix)
20. Robert Babicz – Two Colours [Bedrock]
21. Robert Babicz – Hamburg [Babiczstyle]
22. Robert Babicz – Warm Rain [Babiczstyle]
23. Robert Babicz – Pink Trees Reprise [Bedrock]
#2 - Paul Kalkbrenner Essential Mix 2011-07-30
Genre: Techno
Download
Paul Kalkbrenner – Des Stabes Reuse [Paul Kalkbrenner Musik]
Paul Kalkbrenner – Dockyard [BPitch Control]
Paul Kalkbrenner – Kleines Bubu [Paul Kalkbrenner Musik]
Paul Kalkbrenner – Bengang [BPitch Control]
Paul Kalkbrenner – Moob [BPitch Control]
Paul Kalkbrenner – Gutes Nitzwerk [Paul Kalkbrenner Musik]
Paul Kalkbrenner – Europa (Dub Remix) [Normal]
Paul Kalkbrenner – Castanets [BPitch Control]
Paul Kalkbrenner – Sagte Der Bär [Paul Kalkbrenner Musik]
Paul Kalkbrenner – Der Senat [Paul Kalkbrenner - Der Senat]
Paul Kalkbrenner – Böxig Leise [Paul Kalkbrenner Musik]
Paul Kalkbrenner – Azure [BPitch Control]
Paul Kalkbrenner – Kruppzeug [Paul Kalkbrenner Musik]
Paul Kalkbrenner – Torching [Minimaxima]
Paul Kalkbrenner – The Grouch [Paul Kalkbrenner]
Paul Kalkbrenner – Press On (Joris Voorn Remix) [BPitch Control]
Paul Kalkbrenner – Schnakeln [Paul Kalkbrenner Musik]
Paul Kalkbrenner – Tatü Tata [Paul Kalkbrenner]
Paul Kalkbrenner – Schmökelung [Paul Kalkbrenner Musik]
Paul Kalkbrenner – Jestrüpp [Paul Kalkbrenner Musik]
Paul Kalkbrenner – Torted [BPitch Control]
Paul Kalkbrenner – Square 1 [BPitch Control]
Paul Kalkbrenner – Altes Kamuffel [BPitch Control]
Michel Cleis – La Mezcla (Paul Kalkbrenner Remix) [Strictly Rhythm]
Paul Kalkbrenner – Pletcher
Paul Kalkbrenner – Gebrünn Gebrünn [BPitch Control]
#3 - Derrick Carter Essential Mix 2011-06-04
Genre: House
Download
John Legend – Rolling In The Deep [Unreleased]
Scrubfish – Holla If You Came To Funk [Flapjack]
Anhanguera – Hot Jazz In Ya Face [Unreleased]
Jeff Service – Feel Different [Unreleased]
Robb Swinga – Sax Addict [Union Recordings]
Scrubfish – Improv Blue [Cabbie Hat]
Jeff Dougler & Balu – Get Back Alley Cat [Unreleased]
Tommy Largo & Trevor Vichas – Come To Swing [Cabbie Hat]
Tibi Fratila – Track 8 [Unreleased]
Jeremy Joshua – Thinking About Your Face [Sampled Detroit]
Paul C & Paolo Martini – Mirame [Paul's Boutique]
Jeff Dougler & Balu – Get High [Unreleased]
Jeff Service – Spitshine Tommie [Unreleased]
DJ Phase – Jazzy Ride [Unreleased]
Arado & Den Ishu – R.U.W.M. [All Inn Unlimited]
Don Sizzle – Same Old Story [Unreleased]
Exit – Holdin’ On [Exit Enterprises]
David Duriez – The Circle Theory [Ryzms]
Tibi Fratila – Track 6 [Unreleased]
Jeff Dougler & Balu – Holding Up [Unreleased]
The Muthafunkaz – Gotta Hold On Me [Code Red]
Blu Cantrell – Swingin (N.A.F. Remix) [White Label]
Joey Negro & Gramophonedzie – No Sugar [Z Records]
Belle Epoque – Miss Broadway (Kane Ian Remix) [Unreleased]
Ed Wizard & Disco Double Dee – Get Some [Editorial]
#4 - Dimitri from Paris Essential Mix 2011-03-19
Genre: House
Download
Pet Shop Boys – Left To My Own Devices (Frankie Knuckles Orchetsrated Devices & Royal Piano Remixes) [EMI]
Hercules and Love Affair – My House (Tensnake Remix) [Moshi Moshi]
Deuce & Satin – Hyper [Music Village Records]
Doug Lazy – Let It Roll [Atlantic]
KC Flightt – Let’s Get Jazzy (Dope Dub Mix) [TMT records]
MFSB Vs Grand Master Flash – The Message (S-Man Relative Funk Re-Edit) [CDR]
Ashford & Simpson – Don’t Cost You Nothing (Leftside Wobble Re-Edit) [CDR]
Drop Out Orchestra – Polish Our Act [Drop Out Records]
TPO – Hiroshi’s Dub (Milos Garage Dub’s Dub) [File Records]
Professor Funk & The House Brothers – Work Your Body Rap [Underground]
First Choice – Let No Man Put Asunder (Walter Gibbons Remix) [Salsoul]
AJELLO – Chocolate Black Leather (feat. Hard Ton) (Original) [DWADK]
Tyson – Die On The Dancefloor (Extended) [Backyard]
Purple Flash – We Can Make It (Vocal) [JDC records]
Electronic – Getting Away With It [Factory]
Inner City – Watcha Gonna Do With My Lovin’ (Frankie Knuckles & David Morales Def Mix) [Ten]
Lovebird – Lovethang (Jamie Bull Mash Up Re-Edit) [CDR]
Robert Owens – Hearts And Soul [Compost]
Sinnamon – I Need You Now (Moplen Re-Edit) [CDR]
Dimitri From Paris & DJ Rocca Present Erodiscotique – Reason For Living (feat. Fred Ventura) [Gomma]
The Human League – Never Let Me Go (Aeroplane Remix) [Wall Of Sound]
Sare Havlicek – Dreams In Light (Ray Mang Attakshak Mix) [Nang Records]
Tribute – We Love Dreams (Rocco Raimundo Edit GW Re-Touch) [Tribute]
Chic – I Want Your Love (Dimitri From Paris Remix) [Atlantic]
Norma Jean Wright – Saturday (Dimitri From Paris Remix) [Atlantic]
#5 - Alan Fitzpatrick Essential Mix 2011-11-12
Genre: Progressive House
Download
01. Adam Beyer – No Rain (Joel Mull After Rain Dub Mode Remix) [Truesoul]
02. Silicone Soul – 3am (Maetrik Jazzerize Remix) [Soma]
03. Adam Beyer & Alan Fitzpatrick – Tor [Drumcode]
04. Tim Xavier – Cold Fresh Air [Clink]
05. Adam Beyer – Twist [Truesoul]
06. Gary Beck – Paid Out [BEK Audio]
07. Nicole Moudaber – Contents Of My Head [Drumcode]
08. The Advent & Jason Fernandez – Rocket Science [Drumcode]
09. Alan Fitzpatrick – Running Backwards [Drumcode]
10. Alan Fitzpatrick – Always Something For Nothing [Unreleased]
11. Echo Vacio – Blurred Vision (Tom Hades Remix) [Rhythm Converted]
12. Gregor Tresher – At The Fall Of Night [Drumcode]
13. Alan Fitzpatrick – Mohawk [Unreleased]
14. Jesper Dahlbäck – No Control [Drumcode]
15. Adam Beyer – Dot [Truesoul]
16. Joseph Capriati – Spring Sprouts [Unrilis]
17. Grindvik & Billie – Hold, DouBT, Back [Drumcode]
18. Adam Beyer – Flap [Truesoul]
19. Dave Ellesmere – Standing In Line (On/Off Edit) [Unreleased]
20. Nihad Tule & Bauri – Nudge [Drumcode LTD]
21. Roberto Capuano – Oblique [Drumcode]
22. Gary Beck – Feel It [BEK Audio]
23. Rich Jones – Asshai [8 Sided Dice]
24. Alan Fitzpatrick – The Showgirl [Unreleased]
25. Adam Beyer & Alan Fitzpatrick – Human Reason [Drumcode]
26. Ben Sims – Make That Sh*t Funk [Drumcode]
27. Alan Fitzpatrick – Eyes Wide Open [Unreleased]
28. Alan Fitzpatrick – Gridlock (Speedy J Remix) [Unreleased]
29. Gesloten Cirkel – Yamagic (Alan Fitzpatrick Edit) [Unreleased]
30. Mike Huckaby – The Tresor Track [Tresor]
31. Roberto Capuano – Invaders Are Back (Alan Fitzpatrick Remix) [DFR]
32. Sian – Beta Decay (Alan Fitzpatrick Remix) [Octopus]
33. Gary Beck – Distant [Drumcode]
34. Alan Fitzpatrick – Moon Palace (Drums) [Bedrock]
35. Peter Van Hoesen – Axis Mundi (Berghain5) [Ostgut Ton]
#6 - Sharam Essential Mix 2011-05-14
Genre: Progressive House
Download
Madli (In My Arms)
Luca Bacchetti — What Your Soul Sings (Paul Ritch Remix)
Jon Rundell — Can’t Stop
Nadastrom — Wepa
Koen Groeneveld — Turboprop (Ahmet Sendil Mix)
Federico Epis — Rafaela
Quivver — Funktribe (El Mundo & Satori Remix)
Sharam — Fun (Feat. Anousheh) (Pirupa People Vocal Mix)
Joe T. Vannelli — It’s Gotta Be Big
Paul Ritch — Wonderland
Sharam vs Rene Kuppens Star — Wild Drumz
Sharam — Don’t Say A Word (Feat. Anousheh) (Sharam’s Own Remix)
Afrojack — Bye8again
[unknown] — Que Cubano
Mark Broom & Mihalis Safras — Tru Tru (Paul Ritch Remix)
Tom Middelton — Jungle Drums 2011
Pig & Dan — Detonate (Sharam’s Crazi Remix) (YoshitoshiAlexander Kowalski — Friendly Fire (Dosem Remix)
Berlin Samio — Make Sure To Keep It Up
Nic Fanciulli — Caller ID (Radio Slave Remix)
Sharam — Fun (Feat. Anousheh) (Funhouse Remix)
#7 - Maya Jane Coles Essential Mix 2011-07-09
Genre: Tech House
Download
Aaron Und Pascal – Hidden Place [Original Mix]
Alex Picone – An Pesant (Original Mix) [Bass Culture]
Patrick Di Stefano – Underlight (Original Mix) [Debox Music]
Lula Circus – Pumpin Groovin Moovin (Pezzner Remix) [Stranjjur]
Maya Jane Coles – Untitled
Delano Smith – Lost In Detroit (Original Mix) [Apparel Music]
Eats Everything – Entrance Song (Original Mix) [Pets Recordings]
DJ T. – City Life (feat Cari Golden) (Maya Jane Coles Remix) [Get Physical]
102nd Century – Matjes (Original Mix) [Overdrive]
Maya Jane Coles – Untitled
Elchinsoul – Pe Roz (Original Mix) [Microtech Records]
Maya Jane Coles – Untitled
Alex Magno – Clowns (Original Mix) [Etichetta Nera]
Diminutos – Obligo Al Entusiasmo (Alejandro Mosso Remix) [Airdrop]
Standard Fair – Forget Someone (Original Mix) [Joyfull Family Records]
Kemko – Juice (Original Mix) [Angel Laboratory Records]
Matthias Meyer – Crystal Rain (Original Mix) [Cecille]
Gorge – Watching Spring (Bioground’s Freckled Mix) [Amused Records]
Sebo K – State Of Desire (Original Mix) [Highgrade]
Little Dragon – Ritual Union (Maya Jane Coles Remix) [Peacefrog]
Nikola Gala – The Beginning (Original Mix) [Rekids]
Junior Gee – Just Listen (Original Mix) [Love Hertz]
Jemini Blacque & Fiorian Wilde – Get Together (Eko Dub) [Deepness Music]
J. Phlip – Fever (Original Mix) [Pets Recordings]
Stefano Esposito – Acid Groove (Original Mix) [Four Fingers Hand]
Tom Ellis & Lizzy B – Accidental Daydream (Original Mix) [Eye4eye Recordings]
Agaric – Who Made Up The Rules (Josh Wink Remix) [Ovum Records]
Rob Small – Bad Wednesday (Mute: Remix) [Piston Recordings]
N/A.3 – Tuesday Biz (Original Mix) [N/A.3]
Maya Jane Coles – Untitled
Tricky – Time To Dance (Maya Jane Coles Remix) [Domino Records]
#8 - Modeselektor Essential Mix 2011-10-08
Genre: Electronica
Download
01. Surgeon – Dark Matter
02. Beasty Respond – Syncopy (Blawan’s Trecther Mechanica)
03. Bambounou – Alpha
04. Zomby – Mosaik
05. Lorca and Visionist – Holdback
06. Tom Bulwer and 2Deep – London Nights
07. Benjamin Damage and Doc Daneeca – Creeper
08. Björk – Dullflame Of Desire (Modeselektor’s Remix For Girls)
09. Moderat – Rusty Nails
10. Radiohead – Morning Mr. Magpie (Modeselektor’s Good Evening Mrs. Magpie Remix)
11. Marcel Dettmann – Shatter Proof
12. Radiohead – Bloom (Blawan Remix)
13. Ossie – Creepy Crawlies
14. 2562 – Flashback
15. Dark Sky – Speeding Blue
16. Brodinski, Djedjotronic, Noob and Havard Bass – Extreme Compote
17. Toadally Krossed Out – Go
18. Fis-T – Ultra Night Hunter
19. Plastikman – Spastik
20. Cosmin TRG – Izolat
21. Anstam – Baldwin
22. Untold – Stop What You’re Doing (James Blake Remix)
23. Instra:mental – Thomp
24. Robert Hood – Range
25. Alex Cortex – Hyendo Pt.2
26. Equalized 04 – B
27. Substance – Relish Bonus
28. Vainqueur – Lyot (Maurizio Remix)
#9 - Stacey Pullen Essential Mix 2011-08-20
Genre: Techno
Download
[unknown] – Techno Logic (Original Mix)
Ds and Cs – Trouble (Feat Meeshel) [Black Nation]
Mirko Loko – Eclair De Lune [Unreleased]
Martin Buttrich – Magic Market [Desolat]
Mirko Loko vs Stacey Pullen – Formulaic Mode [Cadenza]
Mohrr – 2nd Track (Original Mix) [Arjaus]
Ovi M and Iron Mike – Speaking In Tongues (Nathan Barato More Of A Tool Remix) [Roots and Wings]
Stacey Pullen – Get Up (Dub Mix) [Blackflag Recordings]
Gek – Sad And Beautiful World (Original Mix) [Sleep is Commercial]
Antonio Piacquadio – Hold Up (Radio Slave Remix) [Inmotion Unreleased]
Santos – Primitive Cannible (Stacey Pullen Remix) [Monique Musique Unreleased]
&Me – Clamb (Original Mix) [Saved]
Christiano Casiraghi – Tanz Musik Fest (Sotisfaction Remix) [Tretmuehle]
Groove Soundsystem – Primarie Underground Baby (Original Mix) [Tzinah]
Luca Donzelli – Noche Recreativa (Original Mix) [Stolen Moments]
Curves – Masomenos (Original Mix) [Gravite]
Ramiro Lopez – Filgud (Original Mix) [Suara]
The Sushi Club – Flunauticus (Johnny D Remix) [4MPO]
Fred Hush – Mystery Land (Dimitri Andreas Remix) [Plastic City]
#10 - Eric Prydz Essential Mix 2011-08-27
Genre: Progressive House
Download
Eric Prydz – 2Night (Instrumental Mix)
Pryda – Juletider
Pryda – Glimma
Pryda – Welcome
Pryda – Rotonda
Pryda – WOWOW
ID – Unknown
Marco Bailey & Tom Hades – Funky Business
Pryda – Reeperbahn
Pryda – Unknown ID
Depeche Mode – Its No Good (Jeremy Olander Edit)
Cirez D – Tear S**t Up
Pryda – Animal
Eric Prydz – Sweet Genesis
Pryda – Genesis
Pryda – Muranyi
Depeche Mode – Personal Jesus (Eric Prydz Remix)
Cirez D – Knockout (EPIC Mix)
Candi Staton – You Got The Love (Acapella)
Pryda – M.S.B.O.Y
Eric Prydz – Tribute to STHLM
Pryda – Unknown ID
Eric Prydz – Pjanoo (Private Edit)
Eric Prydz – 2Night (Instrumental Mix)
