The Best Dance Music of 2009 - DJ Ron's Picks for the best of 2009

What do you get when you cross the reigning king of French stadium house and a member of Destiny's Child? Toss in a melody line similar to "Clocks" by Coldplay and an emotionally uplifting lyric - and you've got "When Love Takes Over" - a major buzz record from Winter Music Conference 2009. Premiered live at Ultra Music Festival, Kelly Rowland sang live during David Guetta's set on the main stage. Yes, this is one of the records that everyone was talking about during 2009 as it topped charts around the world - one of those rare "event" records that lives up to the hype.

In Chinese philosophy, Yin and Yang represent complementary opposing forces. As song titles for the team of Wolfgang Gartner and Francis Preve, they represent two energetic electro tracks which build and drop in melodic yet pumping rhythms. Wolfgang, known for his energetic electro tracks, and Francis, who is more on the progressive side, combine forces and show that Texan producers create music that everyone will want to play as well as dance to. With "Yin" hitting #1 on the Beatport Electro House chart, we hope that there are plenty more tracks to come from this talented duo.

This one took a lot of thought - as this was the year that dance artists Lady Gaga and David Guetta both achieved massive success. However, I think Cascada would be the best crossover dance record because it was released on Robbins (independent label without the major label machine) and did not have a superstar artist featured on it. Not to say that it is an underground record in anyway, but bubbling up from an indie label to mainstream success really shows the strength of the song.

Runner up: Lady Gaga "Pokerface", David Guetta featuring Akon "SexyChick"

With a slew of hit single that worked in the clubs as well as the did on the radio - "Just Dance," "Pokerface," "Love Game," "Eh Eh," "Paparazzi," "Bad Romance," and "Telephone, Lady Gaga definitely deserves the title of best pop/dance album. One of those rare albums where you can listen all the way through without having to skip over a dud track.

Another difficult choice as I am such a fan of the Wideboys, but looking back over the output for 2009 - it goes to Bimbo Jones. The duo of Lee Dagger and Marc JB are able to produce remixes that work both in the club and on the radio. Their hot mixes (and these are all off the top of my head) of Janet Jackson, Pink, Lady Gaga, Pixie Lott, The Killers, Hannah, Jordin Sparks, Naturi Naughton, Pussycat Dolls, Gathania, and Anjulie were all massive for me. I had the honor of visiting them in the studio and seeing them in action is mindblowing. Note to Pink: please approve their remix of "I Don't Believe You," it could make it into another "U & Ur Hand" for the states.

Runner Up: Wideboys, Wolfgang Gartner, Jody den Broeder, Cahill, Calvertron

Last year, Leduxe did a mashup of Lady Gaga's "Just Dance" and Wolfgang Gartner's "Frenetica" that I dubbed as best white label of the year. This is almost as brilliant. "Work," Ciara's fourth single from her current album, could be the next "Get Me Bodied" - a song with choreographed dance moves that could break from the club/party scene. Wolfgang Gartner had the sick idea to do an electro mix of Beethoven's "5th Symphony." Both tracks are wonderful on their own - but combined, the result is something truly special. Yes, this bootleg mashup will never get approved or a commercial release but take a listen and enjoy a truly creative mashup.

I am beginning to think that I am just about the only DJ in the states that played this record, because anytime I mention it to DJs they look at me like a have a third eye. Maybe it was too dark or the lyrics were too out there, I don't know. The song isn't really what you would expect by the Swedish europop stars and that's probably what attracted me to the message.

Runners up: Hannah "Keeping Score," Lolene - "Sexy People", Gathania "Blame It On You"

There is something about playing a record in a club that was originally released before most of the punters were born that is quite intriguing. Italo house was a wonderful movement in dance music that was big in Europe during the 80s. The fusion of house music and Italo disco spawned artists like Lee Marrow (the producer behind Corona,) Gino Latino, 49ers and this classic "Easy Lady" by Spagna. With the success of the track "Calle Ocho" (see above,) Nicola Fasano and Steve Forest were hot this summer pumping out remixes - including this one. Now, "Easy Lady" is just as fresh today as it was when first released over 20 years ago.