Top Five Mix Compilations of 2011

Are we jumping the gun here? There's two months left to go in 2011, so yes, you might say we are a little, but with  the year bearing such a plethora of superb mix compilations, we honestly just couldn't wait until the end of the year to share our favourites with you.

With two out of our five choices coming from the Fabric and Fabiclive series respectively, it's clear that after 10 years and 120 releases, the British institution is still leading the way for the commercial mix CD. And as much as people like to whinge about the current state of the scene and lament over how much better it was in 'the good old days', what all five of these mixes show - in their quality, diversity and era-encompassing scope - is that this really is an exciting and celebratory time for electronic music.

So here we go, in no particular order; Pulse Radio's top five mix compilations of the year...so far.

Robag Wruhme - Wuppdeckmischmampflow

Heavens knows what that mish-mash title of English and German actually means - that's irrelevant. All that matters is that after his saddening split in 2009 with long-standing Wighnomy Brother, Monkey Maffia, Robag Wruhme can still deliver a beautifully alive, vinyl-only mix of emotive techno. It doesn't quite match the brilliance of Metawuffmischfelge, but it comes pretty darn close. Read our interview with Robag Wruhme on Pulse here.

Pearson Sound/Ramadanman - FabricLive 56

Fresh faced bass music star and Hessle Audio label founder David Kennedy combines the name power of his two production monikers to mix the 56th instalment of the FabricLive series. With seamless mixing through a myriad of house and techno rhythms, Kennedy displays precisely why he is one of the leading names in the umbrella genre that is "UK Bass". Massively hyped, sure, but justifiably so. Read the review of Fabric56 by our Sydney editor on Pulse, here.

Motor City Drum Ensemble - DJ Kicks

The soon to be rocking Sydney on New Year's Eve for the Spice Afloat Sunrise Cruise, Danilo Plesso, better known as Motor City Drum Ensemble, delivers a mix of his influences for iK7's infamous DJ-Kicks series. Encompassing classic Chicago house, soul, jazz and disco, it's structure may come off as a little flat to those after some instant pep, but will please others who are after a mix that rewards repeated listening. Read our review of Motor City Drum Ensemble DJ Kicks on Pulse, here.

Jamie Jones - Fabric 59

It's hard to believe this is the same Jamie Jones who was pushing that minimal-tech sound five years ago, but who's complaining? What's so impressive about Fabric 59 is that despite the large presence of off-kilter, turn of the century electroclash, Jones still retains that deep, disco house sound that he and the Hot Natured camp are becoming known for. Even if we weren't hosting the upcoming Hot Natured boat party on Sydney Harbour , we would still pick this as one of our top mixes of the year. It's got summer written all over it. Read our review of Jamie Jones Fabric 59 here on Pulse.

Dixon - Live At Robert Johnson Volume 8

The German deep house don gives the Frankfurt club's mix series a fitting farewell with a compilation that you would probably find in the dictionary if you looked up the definition of  'perfect home listening mix'. Sounding unmistakably like Dixon, it's an immersive, slow burn through the deep fog of house that will probably sound as fitting in ten years as it does now. In a word; timeless. Listen to Dixon mixes on Pulse, here.

Listen to Robag Wruhme on Pulse Radio

Listen to Pearson Sound/Ramadanman Pulse Radio

Listen to Dixon on Pulse Radio

Listen to Jamie Jones on Pulse Radio

Listen to Motor City Drum Ensemble on Pulse Radio