Miami Nights

With 2007 winding down, I enjoy looking back at all the great records I discovered this year. So continuing the tradition I started last year, here I present my favorite dancefloor hits of 2007. Of course this list reflects my own musical tastes, so I encourage you to disagree with me and comment about your own favorite tracks of this past year -- whatever, you know my list is better:

10. Soulja Boy "Crank That (Cousin Cole Remix)" As if the original wasn't infectious enough, the Cousin Cole remix turns this hip-pop track into a deep groove clubbanger. Plus the chopped up "yooooouuuu" is literally too hot for words. Just remember, "I got me some baby names Bathing Apes" (the littlest Lackner's boyfriend can understand ebonics better than I can).

9. Kid Sister featuring Kanye West "Pro Nails" Uffie who? This year's barely legal female rapper wunderkind was undeniably Kid Sister, with tracks like "Control", "Damn Girl" and "Switch Board." But its "Pro Nails" that's finally getting this girl attention. However, Kid Sister better watch her back, 2008 seems will be the year of Amanda Blank.

8. M.I.A. "Boyz (The Twelves Remix)" Chirpy snyths replaced the soca beats, turning the track from Jamaican dancehall party into cold metal perfection courtesy of Brazilian duo the Twelves, with M.I.A.'s vocals providing the warmth the track needs.

7. Digitalism "Pogo" This tracked proved German's can be warm and fuzzy when they want to be. They share little in common with other German dance acts like Modeselektor and Boys Noize, sounding more like the indie-dance bands from the UK. "Zdarlight" this is not.

6. Crystal Castles vs. Health "Crimewave" Leave it to Canadian duo Crystal Castles to take an abysmal track and turn into dancefloor gold. Yes, I admit I trashed them after their performance during WMC at Mansion, but I get it now. They remind me a lot of Atari Teenage Riot, especially in tracks like "Insecticon", "Loving & Caring" "Xxzxczx Me" and "Mother Knows Best", but with "Crimewave" it's almost as if electroclash is making a comeback. Word is there will be a full-length album in 2008 released through Last Gang Records, home of Tiga, MSTRKRFT and Chromeo.

5. Yelle "A Cause Des Garçons (Tepr Remix)" I'm embarrassed to admit that I took French since the 5th grade all the way until my senior year in high school, yet when I went to French-speaking St. Martin, I could barely order a cafe au lait. And despite Yelle's simple lyrics, I only understand every other word. But what I do know is that Tepr improved this dance-pop ditty by using a backdrop of pounding beats.

4. Boys Noize "& Down" Because any track commanding me to "dance, dance, dance" is a winner in my book. Plus Berlin is back (not that it ever left I think) and Boys Noize proves that.

3. Feist "My Moon My Man (Boys Noize Classic Remix)" Boys Noize takes Feist's jazzy number and turns it into a haunting track, complete with a robotic voice, reminiscent of Daft Punk, chanting "my moon my man" over and over, which is what got me hooked on it in the first place.

2. Justice "D.A.N.C.E." Many tried to remix it, but it was perfect to begin with, and you know what they say -- don't fuck with a good thing. Last year it was all about being "your friend," this year it was about a children's choir with non-stop Michael Jackson references. Justice, can you do no wrong?

1. Mr. Oizo "Patrick122" A choppy beat, dumb disco lyrics and a blaring saxophone make for one hell of record. It simply overshadowed the A-side track "Transexual" because it was undeniable better. This is one of the tracks DJs in Miami should have been playing but didn't play enough. Shame on you DJs!

P.S.: For those who care, I made a nifty little iMix with all the songs mentioned here except iTunes doesn't have "Patrick122" available (blasphemy!), as well as the remixes I mention for "Crank Dat" and "Boyz".