In Session
Top 10 In Sessions of 2015
We've had a lot of amazing mixes this year, here are our favourites
In Session is our flagship series and every week we strive to bring you mixes from the world's biggest, best and freshest DJs. We've had some bloody corkers in the past, anyone who's anyone has recorded one for us but 2015 may have been our biggest yet.
It's always hard to pick favourites as the quality was just so high this year but we've narrowed the selection down to the ten mixes that have had us dancing all year. These have been on repeat and for good reason. Here's your Christmas soundtrack, your welcome.
10 Skream
What we said then: A now worldwide entity, Jones has played in every corner of the globe and he's brought his technically solid mixing and on-point track selection to go In Session.
What we reckon now: As our first mix of the year, we wanted something with a bit of bite and Skream delivered on every level. Heavy-hitting house, trippy techno and weird acid, this In Session has it all and we couldn't think of anyone better to launch with. Love you Ollie.
9 Kornél Kovács
What we said then: His skills as a producer are more than matched with his skills as a DJ. Playing on wax, a Kovács set twists, turns and glides through all corners of house, disco and a bit of the tougher stuff for good measure.
What we reckon now: The mix may have only dropped a few weeks ago but it's instantly become one of our favourites. Kornel is a bad boy, his mixing is outrageously tight and next year he's going to be hot property. Trust us.
8 Modeselektor
What we said then: Never bound by genre, Modeselektor have constantly created hybrid forms of techno, bass and electro since they started working together and their unpredictable activity means you'll never know what they're going to do next. Together, they're one of the most respected and innovative acts in the world of dance music
What we reckon now: This mix was much weirder than we expected. The tunes are disjointed, there's barely any 4/4 and it's full of stompy bass but damn is it a fine In Session. We love Modeselektor, like really love them. This mix shows why.
7 Louisahhhh!!!
What we said then: Killer techno and electro from the Bromance Records selector
What we reckon now: Louisahhh!!! has come on leaps and bounds this year. Her productions have become more refined and accomplished, her DJ sets more focused and intelligent and her ambitions redirected. She runs her own label RAAR and her selections are second-to-none. This In Session is a techno-fuelled adventure and the opening track is the best start a mix we've had all year. Huge.
6 St Germain
What we said then: St Germain's In Session shows that despite his time away from the studio, Navarra hasn't taken his finger off the pulse of electronic music for a minute. Whilst warm pads and softened kick drums ease the mix ever forward, the track selection never strays from the sublime
What we reckon now: Exactly the same as before. Beautiful mix.
5 Sherwood & Pinch
What we said then: Press play and enter an ever-changing aural landscape, where you'll be courted by Sherwood's love of heady dub, strung-out atmospheres and surreal, sometimes dystopian, samples as well as Pinch's penchant for futuristic strains of club music, mutated bass and sounds sourced from the eerie black of night.
What we reckon now: This mix is a proper trip, as to be expected when two dub psychonauts collide. They served it up to promote their excellent collaborative album, "Late Night Endless", and it stands up as one of the most original InSession mixes we've ever published. It's also the perfect way to remind us of Pinch and Sherwood's excellent boat party DJ sets at Outlook this year (shout out Tectonic) and their live set in the fort, too.
4 DJ Bone
What we said then: We call it spanky.
What we reckon now: And spanky it is, that heavy-hitting, high-octane style of music that slaps you round the face with its pace and audacity. Strap yourself in for this one, it hits fucking hard and we haven't stopped listening to it since it dropped.
3 Uniiqu3
What we said then: Uniiqu3 is part of Jersey Club's new generation.
What we reckon now: It was a pleasure to host a mix from Uniiqu3, who's taken Jersey Club to the world this year. Her selection is fast, frenetic and loaded with upfront tunes and Jersey remixes of the hottest new tracks from across the board. Another In Session that stands the test of time, this is a fine showcase of one of the most exciting artists in underground club music.
2 Mr G
What we said then: Mr G is a force of nature.
What we reckon now: A mix from G is a rare thing and we relished this when it dropped, rinsing it good and proper. Sunny, soulful and guaranteed to raise a smile, this selection contains all of the musical influences that make G tick. A must-download for any self-respecting house head and a great insight into G's more personal side.
1 DJ Haus
What we said then: His sets come fully loaded with jackin' stompers from the vaults as well as rough, tough 'n' vibrant new productions from the artists that release on one of his three (!!!) labels: Unknown To The Unknown, Hot Haus Recs and Hot Shit Reks In Effekt. With a penchant for playing music that makes you feel hyper, Haus brings the party every damn time.
What we reckon now: See above, tbh. It's been a great year for DJ Haus, with the release of his debut album, the continued quality output of his labels and DJ sets at every on-point party going. The man knows how to spank a dancefloor and this In Session is as vibe-loaded as it gets. Our In Session of the year.

