Best of 2002

Every December sees a lash of top 5 this and top 10 that hit the message boards on websites all over the globe. This year we thought it would be interesting to see if there was anyone artist or track that dominated the decks in 2002. From over 200 individual track entries, this is what we found. Some labels just seem to have that uncanny knack of signing one great release after another. With out a doubt a few labels ruled supreme in bringing the best in house to dance floors across the world. No surprises here when releases from Naked Music and Om Records dominated the 'best of' charts submitted from music lovers everywhere. Their impressive track record in churning out great music just doesn't seem to end. Not surprising when you take into account their choice in seemingly extremely talented artists. Also featuring very high on the list is Derrick Carter and Luke Solomon's harmonious enterprise, Classic. '' We want every release to be a classic''. Well it seems to be working.

Other labels that that proved very popular were Belgian based Aroma Records, Central Park and UK based, Inspirit Music. Also up there, never fading are Chicago based Large Records and JT's own Seasons. Many other great mentions of labels such as Celebrity Records, Elevation, Tronicsole and Soulfuric as well as endless bootlegs and white labels.

As far as artists were concerned, certain names kept appearing over and over again, namely those of San Francisco based Kaskade and the Belgian boys, Swirl People. Proof that no one sound or place dominates the world of deep house. Swirl People received praise for tracks such as 'Fears', 'Family Vacation', 'Say Ohh', 'Muffin Love' and 'Keep Running'. Meantime Kaskade's 'Be There' and 'Brighter Day' must not have lasted more than 10 seconds in record shops all over the world. German based collaboration Tiefschwartz also seem to have landed at the top again in 2002.

Other notable mentions are JT Donaldson and those for his collaboration as Undercover Agency along with Lance De Sardi. Now this is where the list starts to get long, but it seems that some never fade while others grow stronger. Artists like Kerri Chandler, Kim English, Andy Caldwell, Blue Six, Fred Everything, Home & Garden, Iz & Diz, Johnny Fiasco, Fish Go Deep, Alexander East, Dennis Ferrer, Audiowhores, Lawnchair Generals, Dj Gregory and The East Coast Boogiemen were also favourites for house lovers last year.

After years of listening to great music, I now realise that is it impossible to have ONE favourite record. I love them all equally. And from our chart it seems that a lot people loved Kaskade's ' Brighter Day' on Naked Music equally more than any other record in 2002. From all the charts submitted, 'Brighter Day' appeared more than any other single. Not surprising when everyone's favourite producer gets together with everyone's favourite label. ( Hmmm, I am starting to build one of the best sets ever out of all this!)

Kaskade, aka Ryan Raddon's debut album 'It's You, It's Me' is due for release this March and seems set to being huge everywhere. Also way up there was 'Adentro' from LA based collaboration Undercover Agency. Also one of my own favourite records of the year. Other records that look set to still dominate dancefloor in 2003 come from Fish Go Deep, 'How do You feel' on Elevation, Fred Evrything's 'Missything' on Lickshots, 'Musication' from South African based Soul Khula and Soldiers of Twilight, 'Believe' on 20:20 vision.

Along with numerous other remixes, bootlegs and white labels there is so much music, labels, artists, musicians and vocalists that deserve great recognition, our choice of great music has never been better.

Apart from those mentioned above, here are a list of 10 records that you should have in your record bag to remember 2002.

Ok, so that's more than 10, but who takes these 'best of 'chart things seriously anyway?

Aine G & Jo K