2017 has been another spectacular year for electronic music, offering up a wealth of dancefloor gold from both familiar faces and lesser-known heroes on the rise. Our annual ‘Best-Selling Tracks’ list is always an interesting one, delivering a mixed bag of delights from across the dance music spectrum, with sure-fire season-long anthems nestled in amongst underground builders. This year is no exception, we present you a transparent insight into what working DJs were spinning across global dancefloors, a vibrant and eclectic mix of genres that showcases not only our constantly varied DJ customer base but highlights the diversity of sounds popular within dance music right now. Although it was undeniable that the influence of Disco shone particularly brightly this year, its iconic vocals, distinctive percussion and quirky guitar riffs infused into the fibers of almost every genre.
So take a trip down memory lane and relive 2017 with our Best Selling Tracks of the year, the year’s biggest underground sounds, from Deep and sexy House numbers to speaker-shaking Techno, peak-time Tech House, Afro, Disco and everything in between.
10. Miguel Migs – ‘Broken Barriers’ (Tribute) – Salted
March unearthed another winner from the Salted Music camp. Miguel Migs’ ‘Broken Barriers’ (Tribute) landed itself on pretty much every summery compilation this year. A poolside essential, this smooth, sun-drenched groover was driven by a slow build of infectious guitar licks and clipped vocals, and was justifiably championed by everyone from Roland Clark and Angelo Ferreri to Kevin Yost. Also included on compilations by taste-making labels such as Future Disco and Toolroom, it drove straight up the charts and into the hearts of the masses.
9. SAMO – ‘Straight On’ (Original Mix) – Cruise Music
SAMO’s ‘Straight On’ was just pure fun in a record, all 6 minutes and 3 seconds of it. A strong Jackin’ backbone fleshed out with funky Disco body, via Cruise Music. Using elements of Gwen McCrae’s classic 1978 cover ‘Let’s Straighten It Out’, SAMO created the perfect club tool for any set, fusing a familiar feel with a fresh new zest.
8. David Penn – ‘Yeah Yeah’ (Original Mix) – Urbana Recordings
Urbana Recordings delivered a winner this year with David Penn’s ‘Yeah Yeah’. A fist-pumping banger that dominated the top spot during the summer months thanks to powerful keys and enticing vocals. Put quite simply, a cut of high-impact 4/4 House mischief.
7. Joey Negro – ‘Must Be The Music’ – Z Records
Taken from his hugely successful second solo album ‘Produced With Love’, Joey Negro aka Dave Lee chose to tackle a classic song in response to increasing demand for the original in his DJ sets. A spritely rework of a perennial favorite, we’re positive it will be Lee’s remix being requested in clubs for some time.
6. Floyd Lavine – ‘Masala’ (Pablo Fierro Remix) – RISE
We called this one from the start, the very first release from the RISE label. Stemming from the popular parties thrown at Berlin’s infamous Watergate, with the likes of Hyenah and Culoe De Song, RISE progressed to become a pioneering brand in the Afro / Tech space, and recently celebrated its 2nd birthday. ‘Masala’ is an uplifting and emotive Afro House cut with warm keys and an infectious whistle throughout, and we watched Traxsource favorite Pablo Fierro come into his own on the remix of South African-born Floyd Lavine. It set the bar high for the forward-thinking RISE crew, but we know the output will be consistent from here out.
5. Aeroplane – ‘Love On Hold’ (Extended Mix) – Glitterbox
Both Aeroplane’s and Glitterbox’s first single release of the year, ‘Love On Hold’ hit the mark immediately, instantly topping our chart and garnering healthy support from across the dance music community. Fuelled by glittering synths and a persistent and undeniably funky bassline, this authentic slice of infectious Disco House exists as a piece of 2017 musical history with a timeless feel. Featuring the vocals of legendary backing vocalist Tawatha Agee, ‘Love On Hold’ was a return to Disco deviance that harks back to 80s brilliance.
4. Lexa Hill – ‘The Blues Man’ – Snatch!
Lexa Hill brought the fire with his ‘The Blues Man’ via Riva Starr’s Snatch! Records imprint. A tune with drums for days, ‘The Blues Man’ did serious damage all over the White Isle this summer. A track with real swing and an irresistible groove, we know we’ll be dancing to this one for a while.
3. Phyllis Hyman – ‘You Know How To Love Me’ (Joey Negro Extended Disco Mix) – Z Records
This one was always going to go straight to the top. Joey Negro lovingly and tastefully brought Phyllis Hyman’s 1979 classic into 2017 as part of his ever-popular ‘Remixed With Love’ series, drawing out the fun into over 10 minutes of delicious Disco nostalgia and offering it up via the Z Record Ibiza 2017 compilation. Supported by the likes of Groove Armada, Horse Meat Disco, Dr. Packer, Dimitri From Paris and DJ Spen, this became an anthem for the festival season and beyond, with Honey Dijon even spinning it in her massive Mixmag Live set back in November. Alongside his reworks of ‘Love Hangover’, ‘Pull Up To The Bumper’ and ‘Keep the Fire Burning’, this one will sit up there with one of our favorite Joey Negro edits.
2. Kevin Hedge – ‘My Beat Spaced Out’ (Dave Harness Remix) – Blaze Imprints
Dropped back in July, this slice of sultry Deep, Techy House worked its way up the charts, supported by Joeski, Lord Leopard, Karizma, David Morales, Roger Sanchez and DJ Spen amongst many others. An instantly recognizable vocal and the distinctive, yet respectful touch of Dave Harness gave us a moody piece of pure late-night magic.
1. CamelPhat & Elderbrook – ‘Cola’ – Defected
It was hard to miss this one. It seemed like everybody had an opinion on ‘Cola’ – a sure sign of a record making a significant impact – but one thing was universally acknowledged: it is an undeniable hit that broke from the underground. Surpassing expectations in every conceivable way, 2017 saw CamelPhat & Elderbrook’s tune fizz up like the drink which inspired it, with the Defected crew properly working the record like the old days, driving ‘Cola’ from underground bubbler to Ibiza anthem to mainstream radio A-list to bona fide pop hit. An infectious hook does the work and landed it in the bag for DJs across the globe for months. The now Grammy-nominated ‘Cola’ is a fine example of modern House brilliance – this one will go down in history.
