As we bring down the curtains to an awesome year for Dance Music, it would be unfair to take a peek back and look at some of the phenomenal music that was bestowed upon us to make this year memorable for us. With respect to the Underground genres of Techno, Tech House and Deep House, the year saw a phenomenal rise in audience and listeners, as the genre pushed itself outside warehouses and underground substations to more mainstream audiences. The enchanting melodies and grooves from the Underground took over our speakers, radio stations and club realms to redefine our Dance Music experience.
As part of our ongoing feature, where we count down the Best in 2014, we take a closer look at some of the Best tracks of 2014. Here are the definitive #Beatsof2014, and The Top 10 Underground Tracks of 2014
10. Sam Paganini – Rave (Original Mix)
Sam Paganini has remained such a true and devoted artist under the Deep House bracket, that he can be considered as one of the legends to orchestrate its rise in the last few years. The Italian music-maker has continuously released Dance-floor dominating tracks under Cocoon and Drumcode, and 2014 was no different for the veteran. His track ‘Rave‘ showed his masterclass in true symbology, as the track stays effortless save its resounding bassline and magical overture, much like Sam’s humble presence in the Dance music industry.
8. Watermat – Bullit (Original Mix)
A name that escalated to every corner and recess in the Dance Music industry, Watermat is sure to achieve many accolades over his career, but it will always be ‘Bullit‘ that put the decisive Frenchman on the map. An irresistible hook and a gnarling melody fused together in one of the most thought-provoking musical pieces of 2014, ‘Bullit’ had everything audiences needed to break free from the redundant bass-driven anthems from elsewhere.
7. Shadow Child feat. Doorly – Piano Weapon (Original Mix)
When English producer Dave Spoon decided to collaborate with up and coming artist Doorly, he certainly must have envisioned a powerhouse collaboration. However, what was concocted from that working experience, is the result through ‘Piano Weapon‘. Many bass pads lighter and almost soft and enchanting, Spoon had to produce the track under his Shadow Child moniker to do justice to the alluring piano chords devised by himself and Doorly. Not your typical peak-time anthem, but calls for dancefloor euphoria like non other nonetheless.
6. GusGus – Crossfade (Maceo Plex Remix)
Sure you’ve heard this track. And over and over again. At all your clubs and at all your parties. But it really is that kind of a track that you could just hear one more time, to join in that poignant chorus. Cuban mastermind Maceo Plex has had a phenomenal year, as his Conjure series continued its presence on the dancefloor and charts, but it was his remix for GusGus‘ alluring ‘Crossfade‘ that will find him a reserved place in the halls of dancefloor immortality. One of the year’s most powerful and driving anthems, here is ‘Crossfade‘ one more time!
5. Ten Walls – Walking With Elephants (Original Mix)
Marijus Adomaitis is not a new name in the dance music industry. The Lithuanian producer has released music previously under his Mario Basanov moniker, but the decision to go completely deep was a wise one as he fully adopted the Ten Walls alias. 2014 was nothing short of magical for the talented producer as his gnarling ‘Walking with elephants‘, encompassed all there was to say about peak-hour dominion. A fat bassline, cute harmonics in the backdrop and an ever-consistent drumline made the track one of the highlights of the year. Here it is one more time.
4. Shiba San – Okay (Original Mix)
Shiba San uptil August remained largely mysterious and away from the spotlight. However, everything had to change once ‘Okay‘ saw the light of day. The track was so good and so well received that he was literally stormed by every media house and record label to get into more production secrets for the Frenchman. More alluring than most French house tracks we’ve seen this year, Shiba San‘s phenomenal progressions and sharp synth work on ‘Okay‘ ushered a new wave of imitation and recreation as he effortlessly fused elements from assisting genres to make a complete Underground track, destined for Hall of Fame greatness.
3. Mr Probz – Waves (Robin Schulz Remix)
Exactly how Robin Schulz escalated to dancefloor greatness, will always be a good story to tell our kids and grandkids. The super young German prodigy has had a year dreams are made of. Fantastic originals, collaborations and the launch of his own label, 2014 was the year for Robin Schulz. And if there was one track that captured the true essence of his music, it would be his remix for Mr Probz. Quiet, humble and enchanting, ‘Waves‘ became the toast for Ultra music as it became a seasoned festival favorite whenever it wasn’t being played at clubs and dancefloors everywhere.
2. Oliver Heldens ft. Becky Hill – Gecko (Overdrive)
Whether or not you’ve swooned over ‘Gecko‘ is not a pertinent question. If you’re a dance music lover, this has been one inescapable track which has found its way to every speaker and eventually to you, while you were losing your breath over all the dancing! That tugging bassline and powerful vocal work made sure that the young Oliver Heldens stayed fixed on every DJ playlist. The track featured a large sum of remixes and bootlegs, but the original is as powerful as any would come by, as it still holds the capacity to turn any party into a peak-time rush hour as all head for the center of the dancefloor.
1. Oliver $ and Jimi Jules – Pushing On (Original Mix)
Defected Records would have known little that they are putting together two visionary artists to conjure one of the most memorable tracks of the decade, when they decided to sign on Oliver $ and Jimi Jules‘ ‘Pushing On‘. In truth, one of the simplest melodies and vocal hooks of the year, yet with every carefully orchestrated synth shift, the track became a true production masterclass that defined Dancefloor dominion like no other. The failsafe track to get your crowd moving and grooving with hips and booties going down till the floor, this became a modern-day ‘Shiny disco balls’ – A DJ’s track. A trickling percussion, a melodic bassline and that ever enchanting vocal loop that coalesce to make the track of 2014! Here is, one more time, ‘Pushing on‘!
https://soundcloud.com/defectedrecords/oliver-and-jimi-jules-pushing
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