The Best Dance Music of 2008 - DJ Ron's Picks for the best of 2008

Before you slag me off for saying that "Let Me Think About It" was a 2007 release, there was no stopping this record in 2008. A singular record that could work on any dancefloor in its original Fedde Le Grand mix or the multitude of additional remixes by Robbie Rivera, Funkerman, Eddie Thoneick, and Mickey Slim - Ida Corr's domination of clubland in 2008 was massive.

Credit for the success of "Just Dance" belongs to the artist as well as the people behind the record. Lady Gaga's debut single is a catchy mix of new wave electropop and dance, with a touch of urban sensibility - in other words, the perfect party jam. Instead of just throwing the record right to radio, the record label and promotions team worked Lady Gaga everywhere - Miss Universe, MTV's "America's Best Dance Crew," So You Think You Can Dance, all over the internet - and built this record from the ground up. The reward - simultaneous number one on the UK and US pop chart. Listen to the CD and you will quickly discover that "Just Dance" isn't even the best song on it..

For this release, I am going by the US release date of April 2008 - since it was previously released in various formats as far back as 2006. The Swedish popstar was best known in the US for her '90s hits "Show Me Love" and "Do You Know (What it Takes)." Robyn's made a huge comeback in Europe with the emotionally-charged "With Every Heartbeat." With incredible songwriting and production (Teddy Bears, Bjorn from Peter, Bjorn and John, Christian Falk, and Kleerup), Robyn's CD is chock full of massive pop dance smashes - "Cobrastyle," "Be Mine," "Handle Me," "Dream On." It's one of those few CDs that you can listen to all the way through without skipping a single track.
Runner up: Kylie Minogue "X"

After years of remixes, Cyndi finally worked with real electronic/dance music producers (Kleerup, Morel, Scumfrog) to produce the Grammy-nominated album "Bring Ya to the Brink." While lead-off single "Same Old Story" left us a little cold, "Into the Nightlife" made us sweat on the dancefloor with remixes by Jody den Broeder and SoulSeekers. I hope to see more gems like "Echo" I hope to see "Echo" and "High and Mighty" up next.

A new album from Madonna brings such high expectations. Finding the hot new electronic music producer (Mirwais, Orbit, Price) to collaborate with has always been her MO. When I heard she was working with Timbaland, I decided to keep an open mind. After listening to the CD many times, my level of disappointment is epic. Maybe she didn't make this album for her fans and her target was specifically to become relevant again to teenage/hip-hop obsessed radio? She succeeded with "4 Minutes" but was then instantly discarded. Madonna's music isn't supposed to be disposable like this. Next time, how about Wolfgang Gartner, GirlTalk, Francis Preve, Dazzle, etc... At least her Sticky & Sweet tour was incredible save for the lame opening DJ.

It's very rare that I show up at a club event before opening, wait on line, and watch a set from beginning to end - Don's incredibly energetic performance left no other option. I can't recall another performer who was this spirited on stage. Don opened the show at Jimmy Woo and owned the crowd instantly. You had no choice but to respond to his jumping, live mic skills, expert mixing techniques and flawless song selection. He brought the crowd up and down -- having them chant and sing along many times. His MCs, Example (UK rapper) and Bizzey are top notch, but let's face it, Don is quite good on the mic himself. Word of advice, if you see Don Diablo booked to play anywhere close to you... go. It will be one of the best nights of you life.

If you've heard me DJ, this would be obvious. As someone who worshipped the Sharp Boys in the 90s/early 00s, there is a straight line to bassline/garage heads Wideboys. All my fellow DJs slag me saying that all Wideboys remixes sound the same, to which I respond - weren't you a Thunderpuss fan a few years ago? My favorite Wideboys remixes this year include Basshunters "All I Ever Wanted," Little Jackie "The World Should Revolve Around Me," Ida Corr "Ride My Tempo," Bryn Christopher "Smilin," and Michelle Williams "Break the Dawn."
Runner up: Bimbo Jones, Jody den Broeder, Moto Blanco, Haji & Emanuel, Jason Nevins, Digital Dog, Don Diablo

This was the year that every Sash single got updated with a new remix and I guess somewhere along the way, someone decided to put the vocals from Stunt's 2005 club record "Raindrops" on top of "Encore Une Fois." The vocals fit perfectly and another "Toca's Miracle" was born.
Runner up: Picotto vs Papini - "Gonna Get Ya," Ultra Nate vs Mr. V - "Twisted (Da Bump)," Royal Gigolos "Girls Just Wanna Dance"

Its always a shame when an incredible record gets overlooked by the masses. In this day and age where anyone can put together a track in Acid, throw vocals on top and sell it through digital downloads; the volume of releases often makes finding the gems that much harder. Case in point - "Radical." It might not hit you on the first listen, but after a few times through the chorus will build on you.
Runner up: Veronica "The Way He Makes Me Feel," Velvet Code "Trust Fund Girl"