The Phil-Harmonic Podcast Episode 46 - THAT WAS 2012 - Part 2

Hello all – welcome back for part 2. Let me tell you from the off, a fantastic episode in store here. My personal top 3 tunes of 2012 are in this mix, as well as 2 very big favourites for our clubbing group, an inescapable, commercially successful club record and a final hour of relentless, full on bosh.

The door to 2013 is swinging wide open; Before we walk on through to a new year in trance, let’s first close the door on 2012. Here we have the second part of the annual review, where we start with my usual personal awards for the year. The best of the rest that 2012 had to offer. Hold onto your hats.

THE BEST OF 2012

Best House Tunes Of 2012
3. Tonite Only – Haters Gonna Hate (Nicky Romero Remix)

2. Jochen Miller – Flashback (Gregori Klosman Remix)
1. Anzo - Corridors

Best Deep/Ibizan House Tunes Of 2012

3. Sacha Robotti - The Major

2. Zeitgeist - I Dance For No Reason (Giom Remix) 

1. Adriatique - By Your Side

Best Trance Album Of 2012
Unfortunately, I can’t really do a top 3 for this award this year. I really slipped out of the loop of sorting and tagging my new albums and I’ve not really listened to any new trance artists albums this year. The one artist album I did listen to a lot though was Infected Mushroom – Army Of Mushrooms. More than deserves a mention and, if we’re stretching our trance boundaries, it deserves this award.

Best Trance/Progressive Producer of 2012
3. Markus Schulz
2. Heatbeat
1. Suncatcher

Best Trance/Progressive Label Of 2012
3. Infrasonic Recordings
2. Coldharbour Recordings
1. Enhanced Recordings

Best DJ of 2012

3. Signum

2. Armin Van Buuren

1. Sander Van Doorn

Best Podcast/Radio Show Of 2012
3. Mainstage with W&W
2. Tytanium Sessions with Sean Tyas
1. Global DJ Broadcast with Markus Schulz

Best Set Of 2012
3. Signum @ Trance Sanctuary, The Egg (November)
2. Armin Van Buuren @ The Warehouse Project, Manchester (October)
1. Sander Van Doorn @ Space, Ibiza (August)

Clubbing Highlights Of 2012
3. Above & Beyond playing the Club Mix of On My Way To Heaven @ Amnesia, Ibiza (August)

2. Signum playing Coming On Strong @ Trance Sanctuary, The Egg, London (November)
1. Sander Van Doorn playing Kangaroo @ Space, Ibiza (August)

Personal Highlight Of 2012
Visiting Bora Bora beach in Ibiza, rocking it up to house music at 7pm in the evening, the sun still shining. (Doesn’t quite top meeting Tony McGuiness last year...)

“One To Watch” In 2013
This is such a difficult one to do this year and, because there are so many worthy candidates, it deserves a few extra words. Emerging names that really deserve a mention this year are James Dymond, Philip Mayer and, of course, Photographer. But in the end, my “one to watch” goes to...

KhoMha

Right, back to the music. Another 2 and half hours of the best this year had to offer. Strap yourselves in - this one’s a bit of a belter!

THE PHIL-HARMONIC PODCAST 046 – THAT WAS 2012 – PART 2

1. Porter Robinson – Language

[April / Big Beat]

Chosen By: Steve McDonald, Sam Hind & Chris Newell

I've got to be honest and say that when this first emerged it didn't really do much for me. But by the second half of the year it was being played in so many sets that it was difficult to escape it and, more importantly, not love it. I ended up playing a mashup of it with Zedd and Andain in the podcast and the original has been chosen by no fewer than 3 people for this end of year review. Indisputably one of the biggest tunes of 2012 - quintessential even.

2. KhoMha – Vapor
[December / Coldharbour Recordings]
Chosen By: Steve McDonald

Every year there is a favourite tune that takes so long to come out it doesn't make the Year Mix. Last year it was Arty & Mat Zo – Mozart which had to wait until 2012 to make its TPHP appearance. This year it looked like it was going to be KhoMha’s savage Coldharbour romp, Vapor. But with the London move and the late mixing of this year’s review podcasts, this enormous record has slipped in at the eleventh hour. It combines brilliantly two things that are very relevant in club music at the moment – pumping Coldharbourage and one of those anthemic melodies that feature in just about every noisy, big room house record these days. The difference is, this anthemic melody is a little bit special.

3. Armin Van Buuren - We Are Here to Make Some Noise

[May / Armind]

Featured In TPHP: Episode 39

Chosen By: Sam Hind

Yet again, it was another record that I wasn’t sure about at first. Being so different from Armin’s usual style and actually pretty commercial sounding, I did my best to avoid it. But despite the commercial overtones, you can’t really deny the underlying quality of this record. Catchy, quirky, noisy, powerful and memorable. By the time I’d heard it a few times in Ibiza, I was sold. Great tune.

4. Markus Schulz & Elevation - Finish Line

[August / Armada]

Featured In TPHP: Episode 40

Position in Top 40: #10

Chosen By: Ben Williams

Another one from my Top 10 and yet more from that main man, Mr. Schulz. Obviously, very reminiscent of last year’s Rotunda with Jochen Miller, which was one of my biggest tunes of 2011. A very effective melody that Markus says people have left his gig’s humming. Not hard to see (or hear) why.

5. Bluestone – Capetown

[October / Anjunabeats]

Featured In TPHP: Episode 43 (Tune Of The Episode)

Position in Top 40: #25

A tune that is essentially built all around one cleverly manipulated ‘Lion King’-esque vocal sample. (A crude description, maybe.) Around that sample, Bluestone has constructed a truly spell-binding melody. Absolutely, one of the year’s biggest spine-tingling, tear-jerking breakdowns. Fell in love with this instantly.

6. Mike Koglin feat. LCK – Varana

[May / Captivating Sounds]

Featured In TPHP: Episode 33

Position in Top 40: #13

I remember posting this one as a favourite on the Ibiza-Spotlight forum and it got compliments even from people who don’t normally listen to trance. What sets it apart is its superb rhythmic touches. Similar to Dyno but actually a lot better.

7. Tomas Heredia - The Journey

[October / Captivating Sounds]

Featured In TPHP: Episode 44

Position in Top 40: #24

More from Captivating Sounds and captivating it is too. Fantastic bassline on this one and the riff stands out as well.

8. Cosmic Gate & Jes – Flying Blind

[April / Black Hole Recordings]

Featured In TPHP: Episode 29 (Tune Of The Episode)

Position in Top 40: #3

A real sing-along favourite that conjures vivid memories of driving home from what is now my old job. Earlier this year I would belt this vocal out as loud as I could, foot firmly to the floor. It’s just an amazing vocal and snatches 3^rd place on that strength alone. Norin & Rad’s remix also featured in Requests Of The Villa Guests.

9. Craig Connelly – Robot Wars (Andrew Rayel Stadium Remix)

[March / Garuda]

Featured In TPHP: Episode 28 (Tune Of The Episode)

Position in Top 40: #2

From 3^rd straight to 2^nd place, here we have an utterly colossal tune. In this instance, I found it so so difficult to choose between this and the Craig Connelly original. Both are first class. In both versions it’s absolutely made by that riff which is just off-the-scale amazing. For me, the Andrew Rayel remix just gives it that extra pace and I love that added operatic vocal in the breakdown. All round just a bit more rousing. Regardless of version, this was my 2^nd favourite of the entire year.

10. Heatbeat – Rocker Monster 

[January / Captivating Sounds]

Featured In TPHP: Episode 24

Position in Top 40: #34

Ask The Cat was a huge one for me in 2011 and this was an obvious follow up that I latched onto very quickly. It actually feels even more aggressive than Ask The Cat. Just typical Heatbeat. For me, also holds nice memories of one of my blurry London weekends back in January.

11. Above & Beyond feat. Richard Bedford - On My Way To Heaven (Club Mix)

[June / Anjunabeats]

Featured In TPHP: Episode 37

Position in Top 40: #22

I must admit, I’m becoming less and less excited about Above & Beyond’s club mixes, just as I am about their sets these days. I really do miss the delicate feel of the club mixes of Good For Me and Home. But as an exception to that, I love this Club Mix of On My Way To Heaven, particularly the way it drops. Was a highlight of both their sets at Brixton Academy and later at Amnesia Ibiza. I also quite specifically saved this one for Requests Of The Villa Guests in August.

12. Mr. Pit – It Is What It Is

[June / Coldharbour Recordings]

Featured In TPHP: Episode 39

Position in Top 40: #8

Many will remember Mr. Pit’s track River Of Hearts from this year. Personally I much preferred It Is What It Is on the flipside of the EP. Again, so typical of what Markus Schulz is playing these days. Great breakdown and great, original riff. Sort of an Arabian vibe going on here.

13. Arnej – Pariah

[September / Coldharbour Recordings Red]

Featured In TPHP: Episode 42

Position in Top 40: #37

Yet more Coldharbour Recordings, I’m afraid. Well, yet more bassline savagery. When I first heard this on Global DJ Broadcast I couldn't hide the smile and I couldn't help but turn it up.

14.  Fisherman & Hawkins – Nightshift

[August / Coldharbour Recordings]

Featured In TPHP: Episode 38

Position in Top 40: #27

Errr... yeah, I’ve been listening to quite a lot of Global DJ Broadcast this year. More ammunition for those big Markus Schulz sets. A duo I will be keeping an eye out for next year.

15. W&W – Moscow

[July / Mainstage Music]

Featured In TPHP: Episode 40

Chosen By: Ben Williams

A few people in our group absolutely loved this and it was obviously a big record in terms of building the excitement leading up towards seeing W&W at Warehouse Project in October. A tune that will inevitably remind me of good times in 2012. Pleasantly surprised to see this in the final ASOT Top 20 as well. I honestly didn't realise how popular it was.

16. Armin Van Buuren feat. Ana Criado - I'll Listen

 [September / Armind]

Featured In TPHP: Episode 40

Chosen By: Nish R & Steve McDonald

Another big favourite of our group. Having seen Armin twice this year this is obviously one that has soundtracked some memorable nights out. The vocal is brilliant – really well written and actually very poignant. Like last year’s Broken Down by Tritonal, something we can all relate to lyrically. Great basslines on this one too, and one that works superbly coming out of Moscow. Probably my best transition on the podcast in 2012.

17. Daniel Kandi & Ferry Tayle - Flying Blue

[July / Enhanced Recordings]

***PHIL’S TUNE OF 2012***

Featured In TPHP: Episode 38

Chosen By: Ally Auld

Despite the likes of Robot Wars, Flying Blind and Kill Of The Year, there was a very clear winner for ‘Tune Of The Year’ this year. The notion of perfection is really overused in reviewing music generally. It’s an easy hyperbole to slip into when you’re enthused by something. But genuinely, I think you would struggle to find a more perfect non-vocal trance record, from any era, than this Daniel Kandi-Ferry Tayle collaboration. Suncatcher, Daniel Kandi and Ferry Tayle are becoming a bit of a Holy Trinity in trance music production. They’re masters of keeping the music true to its roots but at the same time exceptional beautiful (– like the old Anjuna days). There is no better advert for trance music than the emotion-drenched melody in Flying Blue.

18. Adam Kancerski - Still Alive

[October / Infrasonic Recordings]

Featured In TPHP: Episode 44 (Tune Of The Episode)

Position in Top 40: #21

I enjoyed many records releases on Infrasonic and its sub-labels in 2012, hence me naming them my 3^rd favourite label of this year. This was my favourite of their uptempo releases; a trancer that is me all over.

19. Gradian - Valkyrie (Philip Mayer Remix)

[July / Unearthed Records]

Featured In TPHP: Episode 38

Position in Top 40: #35

Philip Mayer was a new name for me in 2012, another burgeoning talent from Poland. Not only was this my favourite Mayer production but also my favourite (other than Flying Blue) of a raft of great trance tracks in Episode 38.

20. Fast Distance – Alpine

[June / Digital Society Recordings]

Featured In TPHP: Episode 38

Chosen By: Ally Auld

Fast Distance has dabbled in a lot of slower, progressive material recently but this trancer was in a more traditional Fast Distance style. Very powerful, sweeping breakdown in this one. I also enjoyed the Karanda version which was a welcome late addition to Episode 34.

21. Riialto - Trip To Tivoli

[January / Crystal Source Recordings]

Featured In TPHP: Episode 24

Position in Top 40: #39

Appearances from Crystal Source Recordings are getting less and less rare these days. One from the very start of the year and one that stood out in a big way when I listened back to Episode 24. A very rare key change in this one too, which some may see as cheesey, but it was refreshing to hear because it’s not been done in a while.

22. Solarstone & Aly & Fila – Fireisland (Aly & Fila Uplifting Mix)

[July / Black Hole Recordings]

Featured In TPHP: Episode 42

Chosen By: Ally Auld & Ben Dursley

Another neat meshing of two artists styles here. A very Balearic Solarstone-esque riff with the more uptempo approach of Egyptians, Aly & Fila.

23. Photographer – Airport

[October / Monster Digital]

Featured In TPHP: Episode 44

Position in Top 40: #23

Chosen By: Ally Auld

Another appearance from newcomer, Photographer. This track for me best signalled the rising from the ashes of the more uptempo end of the trance spectrum in the year 2012. It was a key feature of Armin Van Buuren’s sets later in the year which in itself showed that Armin was pushing the tempo of his sets up to accommodate 140s of this standard. I think at one point it was as high as #7 in the Beatport trance chart, which for a track of this style is very rare. A very powerful tune and it was great to see it making a massive impact on the trancefamily. Also, a nice bit of track title poetry for me in that airlines and airports are now a key feature of my new job.

24. Danyella & Cygnus X-1 – Snow Leopard (Photographer Remix)

[March / Crystal Source Recordings]

Featured In TPHP: Episode 31 (Tune Of The Episode)

Position in Top 40: #6

More Photographer here and, as good as Airport is, in my humble opinion, this was the man’s best work in 2012. I’ve charted this at position 6 and it absolutely deserves this level of recognition. Snow Leopard was, in fact, an overall great release with a number of top remixes – I played the Matt Bukovski remix in the podcast as well. But Photographer’s version just took that shining main riff and gave it a bassline from the very top shelf of pumping basslines.

25. Dart Rayne – Investigation (Trance Arts Remix)

[March / Trance All-Stars Records]

Featured In TPHP: Episode 26

Position in Top 40: #30

I’ve been a big fan of Trance Arts for some years now as he’s a producer that has had a knack for keeping his productions really euphoric in the build and drop. Generally speaking, I wasn't as impressed with him this year but this remix of Dart Rayne early on in the year was beautifully euphoric. The build up is absolutely textbook trance. Another great example of the 138+ revival.

26. Tonny Nesse & Misja Helsloot – Rise

[August / Black Hole Recordings]

Featured In TPHP: Episode 40 (Tune Of The Episode)

Position in Top 40: #9

I had a lot of tunes in last year’s That Was 2011 that were in this hyper-euphoric yet deep and melancholic style. There were fewer of them about this year, but f*ck me, this collab between Tonny Nesse and veteran Dutchman, Helsloot is a mind-blowing exponent of the form. First heard on Tytanium Sessions, this track really struck me with some emotional force. The piano in the break as the main riff builds behind it is a real ‘close your eyes and soak it up’ moment. Hugely underrated.

27. Tritonal feat Cristina Soto - Still With Me (Suncatcher’s Digitally Enhanced Outro Remix)

[October / Air Up There Recordings]

Featured In TPHP: Episode 42

Chosen By: Ally Auld & Ben Collier

Another example of Suncatcher’s ample talents; this had Mr. Collier of Room 1ne fame absolutely waxing lyrical, on his knees getting aurally f*cked. Originally a chillout track on Tritonal’s Piercing The Quiet album, the revamped version was lusciously and blissfully melodic. I thought this Outro version that was released was the ideal way to end this year’s review. Well, not just the ideal way – the only way.

And that’s it for 2012. Another podcasting year is, after a minor delay, brought to an end. As I keep saying, 2012 has just been brilliant in so many respects. There have been lows as well as highs, but I can look back on a lot of progress this year.

Nothing has epitomised that sense of progress this year better than the creative journey that my podcast has taken me on. Everything from tiny tweaks to the intro and the artwork overhaul, through to the uncovering of random acts of DJing plagiarism. This year, the creative process that leads up to the mixing of an episode became an essential part of my waking life and something I enjoyed every second of. That fact that my own standards have gone up in the process is almost a moot point in comparison. The challenge in 2013 will be to continue that amidst, what you’d hope would be, a hectic London lifestyle.

Finally, a few thank yous are due here. A huge thank you, as always, to everyone who has tuned in to TPHP this year, particularly Ben Collier, Ally Auld, Chris Newell, Sam Hind and Steve McDonald for their constant interaction via Twitter. And a special thank you to Monika Sopyte who has tried so hard to find me that elusive ‘first gig’. A couple of times in 2012 it looked like we may have found something but on both occasions it was an insistence by the promoter/DJ on obsessing about ticket sales over actual music policy that led to me reluctantly backing out. We will get there in the end, Monika, and when we do, hopefully, it’s the right gig at the right time. I’m truly grateful for the faith shown.

Last January I had a month's break from the podcast to recharge the batteries. There will be no such break this year. We had our break in December this time around, so I’ll see you back here in 2 weeks! Here’s to 2013!