Hardcell & Grindvik – “Square”…

One of the best techno records of the decade from the ever consistent Drumcode label:).

FPU – “Crockett’s Theme” (Mateo Murphy Remix)…

This is one of those club records that never really got the attention it deserved when it was released, in 2002 on Turbo Recordings. Strong pastel coloured themes;).

Top 100 DJs 2009 Analysis…

The chart in full incase you haven’t seen it: -

1. Armin van Buuren (non-mover)
2. Tiesto (non-mover)
3. David Guetta (up 2)
4. Above & Beyond (non-mover)
5. Paul van Dyk (down 2)
6. Deadmau5 (up 5)
7. Ferry Corsten (down 1)
8. Markus Schulz (non-mover)
9. Gareth Emery (up 14)
10. Sander van Doorn (up 3)
11. ATB (up 14)
12. Infected Mushroom (down 2)
13. Sasha (down 6)
14. Axwell (up 6)
15. Andy Moor (up 3)
16. Bobina (up 12)
17. John Digweed (down
18. Carl Cox (down 6)
19. Cosmic Gate (up 43)
20. Steve Angello (up 43)
21. Roger Shah (up 37)
22. Aly & Fila (up 9)
23. Paul Oakenfold (down 9)
24. John O’Callaghan (up 36)
25. Sebastian Ingrosso (new entry)
26. Benny Benassi (up 13)
27. Laidback Luke (up 19)
28. Richie Hawtin (down 13)
29. Fedde Le Grand (non-mover)
30. DJ Feel (up 25)
31. Lange (up 6)
32. Hernan Cattaneo (down 16)
33. Daft Punk (up 5)
34. Eric Prydz (down 13)
35. Bob Sinclar (up 5)
36. Joachim Garraud (down 9)
37. Kyau & Albert (down 15)
38. James Zabiela (down 21)
39. Umek (down 6)
40. Christopher Lawrence (re-entry)
41. Eddie Halliwell (down 22)
42. Simon Patterson (up 22)
43. Offer Nissim (up
44. Judge Jules (down 12)
45. Sean Tyas (up 9)
46. Dubfire (down 16)
47. Martin Solveig (up 5)
48. Sven Vath (down 24)
49. Richard Durand (up 17)
50. Marco V (down 6)
51. Kaskade (new entry)
52. Tydi (new entry)
53. Erick Morillo (up 17)
54. Matt Darey (down 20)
55. Astrix (down 12)
56. Menno de Jong (down
57. The Thillseekers (down 12)
58. Nick Warren (up 26)
59. Dirty South (up 15)
60. Roger Sanchez (down 3)
61. Mark Knight (down 19)
62. Wally Lopez (up 13)
63. Leon Bolier (down 32)
64. Blank & Jones (down 3)
65. Justice (up
66. Laurent Wolf (up 1)
67. Astral Projection (up 27)
68. Boys Noize (new entry)
69. Ronski Speed (up 28)
70. Sander Kleinenberg (down 11)
71. Ricardo Villalobos (down 35)
72. Chuckie (new entry)
73. Sharam (new entry)
74. Marcel Woods (up 9)
75. Lisa Lashes (up 2)
76. Moonbeam (new entry)
77. Rank 1 (re-entry)
78. Sebastien Leger (up 11)
79. Marcus Schossow (new entry)
80. Steve Lawler (up 11)
81. Skazi (re-entry)
82. Super8 & Tab (new entry)
83. Pete Tong (down 5)
84. Tocadisco (up 14)
85. Sied van Riel (new entry)
86. Tiga (re-entry)
87. Daniel Kandi (new entry)
88. Mike Koglin (down 1)
89. Luciano (re-entry)
90. Yahel (down 34)
91. Myon & Shane 54 (new entry)
92. John B (new entry)
93. Simon Posford (new entry)
94. Fatboy Slim (down 2)
95. Robbie Rivera (re-entry)
96. Antoine Clamaran (new entry)
97. Nic Fanciulli (down 1)
98. Gui Boratto (new entry)
99. Alex M.O.R.P.H. (new entry)
100. Andy C (down 50)
101. Greg Downey
102. Talla 2XLC
103. Armand Van Helden
104. Deep Dish
105. Dash Berlin
106. The Chemical Brothers
107. Danny Tenaglia
108. Sesto Sento
109. Peter Rauhofer
110. Dj Vibe
111. Danny Howells
112. John Dahlbäck
113. Showtek
114. David Vendetta
115. Dj Dan
116. Laurent Garnier
117. Magda
118. Crookers
119. Loco Dice
120. BT
121. Chris Lake
122. Anderson Noise
123. Pendulum
124. Chris Liebing
125. Gabriel & Dresden
126. Nitrous Oxide
127. Yoji
128. Marco Carola
129. Chicane
130. Adam Beyer
131. Mauro Picotto
132. Mstrkrft
133. Joris Voorn
134. Jody Wisternoff
135. Bad Boy Bill
136. Stoneface & Terminal
137. Don Diablo
138. Valentino Kanzyani
139. Darude
140. James Holden
141. Tritonal
142. Spartaque
143. Heatbeat
144. Victor Calderone
145. The Bloody Beetroots
146. 2Manydjs
147. Manuel Le Saux
148. Hybrid
149. Lisa Pin-Up
150. Mat Zo

The first thing I wish to mention is the lack of coverage that the list is getting online- DJ Magazine themselves haven’t updated their site to announce the results yet! The list has been available since Monday so that has something to do with the muted response, as does the fact that the top ten is virtually the same and lower down is dominated by obscure trance DJs. I can see that next year DJ Magazine pulling out of the poll entirely since it’s not really fitting in with their mission statement to cover all genres of dance music.

With well over half the top one hundred now trance DJs it’s clear that the followers of the likes of Van Buuren, Tiesto et al are very adept with the internet and new media. Or (more likely) that followers of every other genre don’t bother to vote for their favourite DJs as they feel they stand little or no chance in making an impact in the chart.

It’s very easy to get hung up on issues arising from the chart, like a DJ from Russia who knows how to spam effectively can actually rank higher than Carl Cox, Dave Clarke doesn’t even place in the top one hundred and that Graeme Le Saux’s Spanish brother almost made it into the chart. Thats why I believe the chart should now be treated as a bit of fun. Admittedly a bit of fun that generates millions of pounds for those who place in the top one hundred, but a bit of fun notheless.

Funk D’Void – “Diabla”…

Classic techno on the Soma label, with an accompanying clever if violent video:). Strong content.

Donna Summer – “I Feel Love”…

Groundbreaking video for the seminal disco track filmed in Studio 54:).

Technobox…

An application for the Iphone that emulates the Roland drum machines of yesteryear. More information at http://www.audiorealism.se/technobox/.

DJ Mag Top 100 Results – An Alternative Analysis…

The usual amount of baffling entries and unknowns this year- this is my take on each DJ in a sentence or less;).

01. Armin van Buuren – Dutch trance DJ who sells out stadiums across the world.

02. Tiësto - Dutch trance DJ who sells out slightly larger stadiums across the world.

03. Paul van Dyk – Been living off records made years ago to boost his DJ profile.

04. Above & Beyond – Trance trio who are big in Europe and the US apparently.

05. David Guetta – Sub par producer and DJ whose singles all sound alike.

06. Ferry Corsten – Saw him once, Ronny Corbett would have been better entertainment that night, monologues and all.

07. Sasha – Great DJ but never really has cut it as a producer.

08. Markus Schulz – Interchangeable with the top four music wise.

09. John Digweed – See Sasha.

10. Infected Mushroom – Psy-Trance outfit from Israel, who seem to get the majority of the votes from their homeland.

11. Deadmau5 – Doesn’t classify himself as a DJ so naturally is high up in the list.

12. Carl Cox – One of the greats, in both attitude and skill.

13. Sander van Doorn – Tech-Trance DJ who is better known as a producer.

14. Paul Oakenfold – Can barely mix two records together anymore, must be spending too much time with Madonna.

15. Richie Hawtin – An embracer of technology as well as a very decent DJ.

16. Hernan Cattaneo – Seems to rank highly every year due to extensive gigging.

17. James Zabiela – Talented DJ and a great user of technology.

18. Andy Moor – Trance DJ who seems to rise in the poll year on year.

19. Eddie Halliwell – Tech-Trance DJ who scratches in his sets, Disco Wiz would be so proud.

20. Axwell – More known for his production skills than DJing.

21. Eric Prydz – Fears planes.

22. Kyau & Albert – Sound like two characters from an Eastern European version of Sesame Street.

23. Gareth Emery – Veteran DJ who warmed up for Paul Oakenfold in 1987 (probably).

24. Sven Väth – Only uses vinyl, good for him.

25. ATB – Had one hit in the UK, very big in Europe.

26. Anderson Noise – Brazilian techno producer and DJ who is big in Bolivia (probably).

27. Joachim Garraud – French techno producer and remixer.

28. Bobina – Russian DJ who clearly has spammed a few people.

29. Fedde le Grand – Producer turned DJ after a couple of hits.

30. Dubfire – Half of Deep Dish, reinvented himself lately as a techno producer.

31. Aly & Fila – Trance duo, big in Outer Mongolia (probably).

32. Judge Jules – More popular than Pete Tong despite his radio show being moved to stupid o’clock.

33. Umek – Four deck techno wizard.

34. Matt Darey – Trance producer so clearly ranks highly in the list.

35. Ricky Stone – DJ who takes the list very seriously, obviously sees spamming people as a easier way to climb the list than actual talent.

36. Ricardo Villalobos – Techno producer and DJ, very minimal.

37. Lange – Trance DJ who was big in 1998.

38. Daft Punk – Last DJed in 1999.

39. Benny Benassi – Still dining out on his one hit.

40. Bob Sinclair – House producer who hangs out with kids in his videos.

41. Deep Dish – Haven’t DJed regularly for a few years now.

42. Mark Knight – Heavy gigging house DJ.

43. Astrix – French cartoon character.

44. Marco V – Tech-Trance producer who probably feels he should be higher up the list.

45. The Thrillseekers – Trance outfit who were big with one hit in 1999.

46. Laidback Luke – Prolific house remixer and producer.

47. Danny Tenaglia – Semi-Godlike house DJ whose profile has dropped over the past few years.

48. Menno de Jong – Dutch trance DJ (probably).

49. Marco Lenzi – Italian DJ who now resides over here, clearly as good at spamming as he is at EU law.

50. Andy C – Drum and Bass DJ and production veteran.

51. Offer Nissim – Where more of Israel’s votes went.

52. Martin Solveig – House producer and DJ, big where its cold.

53. Adam Sheridan – House and Trance DJ from the UK, should be Dutch.

54. Sean Tyas – Swiss Trance DJ, should be Dutch.

55. DJ Feel – Russian DJ who spammed less people than Bobina.

56. Yahel – Where yet more Israeli votes went.

57. Roger Sanchez – Veteran house DJ who has the coolest voice of anyone ever.

58. DJ Shah – Jimmy Saville’s protege.

59. Sander Kleinenberg – Dutch DJ in house music shocker.

60. John O’Callaghan – Yet another trance DJ, this time from the UK.

61. Blank & Jones – German trance duo best know for a minor club hit about a decade ago.

62. Cosmic Gate – Best known for two words- FIRE and WIRE.

63. Steve Angello – Swedish House DJ, likes planes more than Eric “Mr T.” Prydz.

64. Simon Patterson – Tech-Trance DJ who sounds like a bank manager from Swindon.

65. Gabriel & Dresden – Trance duo from the US, not Holland.

66. Richard Durand – Sounds British, is actually Dutch, so he plays trance of course.

67. Laurent Wolf – French house producer who DJs on the first Wednesday of every month.

68. Matt Hardwick – Gatecrasher veteran who plays trance and therefore likes clogs and water (probably).

69. Chris Liebing – US techno DJ and producer.

70. Erick Morillo – DJ and producer who likes to move it to a large castle in Switzerland, such is his fee to play.

71. DJ Hype – Very talented drum and bass veteran.

72. Signum – Known for trance and hard house production, therefore are Dutch.

73. Justice – Part time DJs and Kanye West botherers.

74. Dirty South – Electro house producers and DJs from the UK.

75. Wally Lopez – Spanish house DJ and producer.

76. Magda – Female techno DJ from the US, so many unique traits there.

77. Lisa Lashes – Used to play hard house, now probably plays trance and resides in Holland.

78. Pete Tong – Doesn’t know how to spam properly on his radio show for the list.

79. DJ Vibe – House DJ from the US.

80. Bad Boy Bill – House DJ from the US who used to regularly spam his way to the higher reaches of the chart.

81. Tiddey – Sounds like the fifth Teletubbie, is in fact a Polish trance DJ with Dutch grandparents (probably).

82. Greg Downey – Trance DJ from the UK, emigrating to Holland soon though.

83. Marcel Woods – Self proclaimed multi genre DJ from Holland who therefore plays trance.

84. Nick Warren – House DJ who seems to been around since decks were invented in 1923.

85. Solar System – Where we all reside, therefore should have been able to spam themselves higher.

86. Skazi – Psy-Trance star from Israel or Holland, either one.

87. Mike Koglin – Trance DJ from the UK, secretly yearns to move to Holland though.

88. Mauro Picotto – Techno DJ who hangs out with lizards.

89. Sébastien Léger – French house producer and DJ.

90. The Chemical Brothers – Rarely do more than a few DJ dates a year, so are included in the list.

91. Steve Lawler – House DJ who was incredibly popular about decade ago and has slipped down the chart in recent years.

92. Fatboy Slim – Anything goes producer and DJ from the UK.  

93. Solarstone – Trance outfit from the UK who are big in Holland.

94. Astral Projection – Patrick Moore’s favourite trance troupe.

95. Leon Bolier – Sounds French but plays trance so is Dutch.

96. Nic Fanciulli – House DJ from the UK, suffers from not playing trance and not being Dutch. 

97. Ronski Speed – A made up drug from Munich.

98. Tocadisco – German house DJ and producer.

99. Booka Shade – German house outfit who occasionally DJ.

100. Alex M.O.R.P.H. & Woody van Eyden – At a guess I’d say they were Dutch and they played trance.

Shinichi Osawa – “Star Guitar”…

Very fashionable update of The Chemical Brothers’ hit out on Data Records next month with no less than 17 remixes;). Probably:).

The Chemical Brothers – “Midnight Madness”…

Note to The Chemical Brothers- less is more;). This track starts off well but goes off on a few too many tangents for my liking:).

The Presets – “This Boy’s In Love”…

Excellent video from The Presets, that seems to finally be getting a full release later this month:).