2008 – Armada Music’s fifth year in the music industry! This year Armada had the privilege to work with some of the most inspirational artists anywhere in the world and release music that has truly touched the souls of clubbers and DJs everywhere. Now as the DJ Mag Top 100 Poll gets underway, there are a few people who might deserve your well-informed and discerning vote…
Armin van Buuren of course started off the year being voted into the prestigious number 1 slot in the DJ Mag Top 100 by you the people, he’s gone on to release his third artist album ‘Imagine’, tour the Armin Only extravaganza in front of tens of thousands of fans, seen Armada @ Amnesia in Ibiza pull in record breaking crowds, and headlined the biggest dance festivals. If you’ve witnessed the electricity that comes from an Armin set, if he’s given you those shivers down your spine that he’s so famous for, let the world know by casting your vote!
Fellow Armada artist Markus Schulz has also had a great year. After rocketing up to number 13 in the DJ Mag Top 100, The Gallery hand-picked him as their official resident in their new home at London’s Ministry of Sound. ‘Daydream’ was remixed for 2008 and stormed into the top spots on online stores while his DJ Global Broadcast radio show grew even bigger with countless internet and satellite stations tuning in. There was also the announcement of a brand new show on the world’s biggest station, Sirius. A new album featuring remixes from Progression is due out later this year and his diary – well if you can fit any more dates in that, you’ll need a giant-sized shoe horn! Knocking on the door of the illustrious DJ Mag Top 10 it now comes down to you to cast your votes!
M.I.K.E. celebrated yet another successful year! His Universal Voice EP in May was followed by the critically-acclaimed long player, ‘Horizons’. M.I.K.E.’s Club Elite night made waves on international dance floors and thousands of you tuned in each week to catch him at home in his studio thanks to his Selfcast Studio Sessions. Add to all that sets at some of the biggest venues and events and it’s easy to see why M.I.K.E. is gunning for top spot in many fans’ selection this year.
House head Mischa Daniels, a firm favourite at Armada, is on course for a blistering year. With a tour on Indonesia on the way as well as dates in North and South America, he couldn’t be in more demand if he tried! The first Dutchman ever to mix a Pacha Summer compilation, Mischa was also called upon by none other than Natasha Bedingfield to add a cool house twist to her track ‘Bruised Water’. Great things beckon for Mischa Daniels – including, possibly, a place in the DJ Mag Top 100.
Max Graham has been burning up this year! His latest compilation ‘Cycles’ has been amazingly received by press and fans of his smooth progressive sound and with a new album on the way this is one DJ/producer who is definitely on course for even bigger things as the year progresses. Can Max smash into the Top 100? Only you can make that happen! If he’s rocked your world, do the same to him and give him your Top 100 vote!
The pace of their production speaks for itself. Simon & Shaker have released 50 huge tracks and ripped up dance floors everywhere from the States to Asia to Europe and beyond. Two of Spain’s hottest musical exports, expect to see them scaling the DJ Mag Top 100 chart as their legions of fans show them the kind of support that comes from being one of the most exciting musical acts you could hope for.
Stonebridge has enjoyed the kind of long term success that every DJ dreams of. A house legend with a career spanning two decades and a discography of sexy house tracks that has dominated dance floors for years, he shows no signs on letting up. This year alone has seen him release two massive compilations – ‘Best of Stoney Boy’ and ‘The Flavour The Vibe 2’, out this month on Armada. If you’ve felt the flavour and vibe of this house music super producer, put your hands high and give him your vote!
DJ Shah – without doubt the producer’s producer. Armin, Cosmic Gate, Ferry Corsten, Solarstone, Matt Darey, Tiesto just a few of the many A-listers who have called on his magical production touch. As Sunlounger he’s about to release a brand new album and after just one listen, we’re predicting even greater things to come! If DJ Shah has cast his spell on you this year, cast your vote for him!
Glenn Morrison shows no sign of slowing down and with the production he’s been releasing this year, we reckon that can only be a good thing! ‘Cosmic Flight’, ‘Blue Skies with Linda’ ‘Laser Lights EP’ and ‘Siesta’ have had press raving about his (and we quote) “lip-smacking” production work. His DJ work has seen him traverse the globe taking in 30 countries, wowing crowds with an eclectic mix of everything from screeching acid to lush progressive. One of the hottest young artists anywhere right now!
A man who commands a quiet respect in person but a passion behind the decks, Remy is one of the most intelligent mixologists out there. His seductive waves of tech-house, trance, progressive and techno have captured fans left, right and centre. His mix on this year’s Armada @ Ibiza album was nothing short of perfection. Crowned Best DJ at the Dutch Awards two years running and a resident in the main room at Amnesia this year, we definitely rooting for Remy in this year’s Top 100!
He may have been DJing and producing for only a few years but Dutch artist Nick K has taken the world by storm! His trademark blend of quality house, whether clubby and funky or techy, acid and deep, has won him massive support from clubbers and fellow producers. Growing in popularity and in respect, Nick is one of a hot new breed of talent at Armada!
Blake Jarrell has been the name on everybody’s lips this year! The Chicago native has toured the world as the hand-picked opening DJ for none other than Armin van Buuren. With his uplifting and energetic style of progressive music, he’s already proven his worth across Europe, the Middle East, South America and of course the States and Canada. Great things are expected of this 25-year-old as you’d expect from Armin’s choice! If Blake has done it for you on the dance floor this year, why not show your appreciation by giving him one of your five Top 100 votes!
Last, but by no means least, is Signum. Pascal Minaard and Ronald Hagan have long been firm favourites since their 1997 hit ‘What You Got For Me’ broke into the UK Top 40 – not bad for their first ever release together! This year the pair have been setting airwaves on fire with their Xposed radio show, reaching out to thousands of listeners across the AH.FM network and spreading the sound of Signum – one listen and you’ll be hooked!
Visit www.djmag.com to cast your votes!