1. Popof
Consistantly producing some of the finest dance music out there. Despite being around for ten years, 2008 was the year everyone started taking notice with stunning remixes of the likes of Tiga, Mystery Jets, Tocadisco and Steve Angello.
Key track:
Popof - Eletrik Circus [Courtesy of Data Sapiens]
2. Fake Blood
The mystery man's throbbing bass driven tracks took over dancefloors in 2008. HIs mammoth track "Mars" and his string of fine remixes made him the most talked about producer of the first half of the year.
Key track:
Dan Le Sac ft Scroobius Pip - Look For the Woman [Courtesy of a Degoratory Term]
3. Mr Oizo
The eccentric French producer returned to the studio to produce Lambs Anger, a sublime collection of experimental dancefloor bangers and disco tinged electronica. Quentin Dupieux has always done his own thing and with Lambs Anger he has given the rather complacent of late French dance scene a good shake up.
Key track:
Mr Oizo - Positif
4. Riva Starr
Every cool label around is lusting after each Riva Starr release. He has already released tracks on Made to Play, Dirtybird, Kindisch and Southern Fried despite only being around for little over a year. One of the leading lights in house music and looks like only getting better in 2009.
Key track: Riva Starr - Maria
Also check his latest remix:
KRS 1 - Sound of da Pecan (Riva Starr Remix) [Courtesy of Discobelle]
5. The Proxy
Little is know about the Russian producer signed to Turbo other than he makes some of the biggest speaker destroying tracks around. "Dance in the Dark" and "Raven" helped cement him as one of the stars of 2008, with the latter being one of the most eagerly anticipated releases of the year.
Key track:
The Proxy - Raven (Les Petits Pilous Remix)
6. Dubfire
The highly celebrated superproducer, Dubfire produces stadium sized tracks that has capture the worldwide shift back towards techno in 2008. His profile has shot through the roof thanks to excellent tracks such as "Dios" and "Diablo" which he produced with Oliver Huntemann and his superb remixes for Radio Slave and Booka Shade.
Key track:
Booka Shade - Charlottte (Dubfire Remix) [Courtesy of I Heart Comix]
7. Deadmau5
A huge year for producer Joel Zimmerman. After a series of hit singles release, Deadmau5 released his debut album, "Random Album Title" and followed up with a massive world tour. Awards and critical praise were thrown at him from all over the place. Gimmicks and hype aside Deadmau5 has produced some excellent tracks this year which earns his a spot on our list.
Key track:
Deadmau5 vs Jelo - The Reward is Cheese [Courtesy of Salacious Sound]
8. Herve
Herve had another extremely busy year with his remix of Kidda and collaboration with Kissy Sell Out allowing his to cross over into more mainstream dancefloor territory. However it's his production as Action Man and on the Machines Don't Care album that has made him stand out yet again as one of the key players of the dance scene.
Key track:
Count and Sinden - Hardcore Girl (Don Rimini Remix)
9. Joakim
After a quieter few years, Joakim returned in 2008 with the release of his best remixes album that reminded us not only how much quality stuff he's released over the years, but how little praise he's got for being one of the most consistant and inventive producers of the last 5 years.
Key track: DJ Medhi - Pocket Piano (Joakim Remix)
10. Aeroplane
The Belgium duo of Aeroplane have had a great 2008. Highly regarded by their peers, they have gone from strength to strength with each release. If things keep going like this there is no reason why they couldn't be number 1 come the end of 2009.
Key track:
Friendly Fires - Paris [ft. Au Revoir Simone] (Aeroplane Remix) [Courtesy Diagonal Limes]
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