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What a year it has been for DJ Kicks! It all kicked off with the iconic Detroit DJ and producer Moodymann taking hold of the reigns. The elusive artist had until then never appeared on a multi-artist DJ mix compilation. The unpredictable, outspoken and impossibly charismatic artist did not disappoint. Rather than serving up ridiculously rare or hard-to-find records, he instead focused on creating a libidinous, blues-drenched mood that takes in heart-breaking soul, gorgeous hip-hop and love-fuelled house. Moodymann has been melting together jazz, funk, soul, blues and rock in captivating ways since way back when. He is responsible for some of electronic music’s most definitive tracks, EPs and LPs on labels like Planet E, Peacefrog and his own KDJ and Mahogani Music imprints. This mix live up to the legacy he has created and more.

Motor City Drum Ensemble went from strength to strength in 2016. As a DJ, Danilo Plessow reached new heights and garnered a devoted following. So much so that, arguably, he entered the ranks of 'selector'. One that digs those crates extra deep to bring their audience dance floor elation. The first half of Selectors 001 is rare, unimpeachable house, then Plessow veers into disco, jazz and funk. Many of the records featured would make a heavy dent in your wallet but Motor City Drum Essemble is happy to share the love! The response from our customer base has been unequivocal and we are delighted for the success of everyone involved with this release.

A quite simply superb selection of soul, disco and boogie obscurities curated by noted Parisian crate-digger and DJ Jeremy Underground. Jeremy Underground is highly regarded within the record collecting community, playing alongside Red Greg at Floating Points' first You're A Melody party at Plastic People back in 2013. The comp includes Creative Arts Ensemble's spiritual soul-jazz gem "Unity", the samba sunshine of Leila Pinheiro, the folksy, Latin-tinged breeziness of Ron Rinadli's "Mexican Summer", and the dewy-eyed, late night soul of Nu-Cleus's ridiculously hard-to-find "Needing A Woman". The beating heart of the compilation, though, is a selection of heady, heart-warming cuts that blur the boundaries between Philly soul, disco, jazz-funk and boogie. These include the sparkling, synth-laden 1981 boogie of "Do Your Dance" by Shades Of Love (whose members included future '80s soul/disco star Meli'sa Morgan), the jazz-funk inspired library grooves of Christer Norden's "Lay Back", and the smooth, post-boogie soul of Richardi Mac's superb "Told You So". Oh, and "Let Love Flow" by Jamaican singer Sonya Spence, a deliciously sweet and loved-up disco-soul shuffler infused with the distinctive swing of the Caribbean.

To celebrate their 20th release, giegling put together a very special compilation with tracks by all core artists as well as some new faces on a luxurious 3xLP. The 14-track collection gathers productions from from label mainstays Edward, ATEQ, Vril, DJ Metatron, Kettenkarussell and Legov. Giegling is a label of few words. The Weimar collective prefer to let their music do the talking. In our opinion, this comp speaks for itself.

International Feel's Mark Barrott put together the Hostel La Torre compilation. The 15-track set, assembled with Pete Gooding, was inspired by Barrott's sunset residency at the Ibiza venue, with music from DJ Harvey, Domenique Dumont, Francis Bebey, Finis Africae, Penguin Cafe Orchestra and Barrott himself. Pure balearic goodness, distilled to heady potency. Do not operate heavy machinery whilst listening!

Sushitech have become a reference point for dubbed out house and techno. 2016 saw them lay down a marker with a behemoth compilation. 5x12” inside a beautiful box, it includes tracks by Tikiman, Efdemin, Rhauder, Delano Smith, Steve O’Sullivan, Ryan Elliott, Sanasol, XDB etc. - usual Sushitech quality! 15 original tracks in total - it’s perhaps the biggest and most special release the label have ever put out. What. A. Treat.

It simply does not get any more balearic than this! Compiled by Danny McLewin, the renowned record digger of the Psychemagik duo, 3 discs are carefully programmed and sequenced into 3 themes: Beach, Love & Dance. Each tenderly demonstrate curious ears with a respectful nod to the past and the future. From the pre-new age emanations of ‘Water Sports’ by Man Parrish, a beautiful tranquil and cascading synth poem which soothes and pulses, and the sublime to the haunting ‘God’s Garden’ by John J. Francis, which hints at a forthcoming new age of thinking. The semi discordant funk of Zru Vogue’s ‘Do the Zru’, reminiscent of a later era Can, laced with thumb piano and an addictive head nod groove to the Gallic seduction of ‘L’Amour Joue Au Violon’ by Jeanette, a real string-swept lost masterpiece reminiscent of ‘Melody Nelson’ era Serge Gainsbourg. From Ennio Morricone’s disco infused hybrid cut ‘Dance On’ adding magic and mysticism to this bountiful line to high quality floor polishers such as Popcorn Makers ‘Nothing’. It's all there.

Benji B, the BBC Radio 1 DJ and well respected figurehead of the UK club scene released his first official mix and compilation showcasing his Deviation label. The 3xCD collection is meant as a snapshot of Deviation's sound in 2016. The label cultivates club tracks and home listening songs in equal measure. The release is also a reflection of Benji B's radio show and regular club night. The long running London party has become a staple of London nightlife. And the latter comes under threat from gentrification and developers, it remains a beacon of hope.

DJ Koze's label has always stood for quality and this compilation is no exception. Every track was produced exclusively for this compilation and hasn't been released before. Artists featured include Jamie XX, DJ Koze himself, Matthew Herbert, Lianne la Havas, Isolée, Acid Pauli, Michel Cleis and Sophie Hunger.

Optimo’s prolific DJ/producer/label boss JD Twitch aka Keith McIvor curated a compilation of early ‘80s synth, industrial and cold wave classics and undiscovered gems in collaboration with The Vinyl Factory this year. A big hit with the wavy crew in the shop.

DJ and producer David Holmes graced the Late Night Tales compilation series this year with an evocative collection of personal songs and music, peppered with exclusive new material and rare gems. David Holmes is known for playing acid house from Chicago and Detroit as well as break heavy tracks. But cinema has also inspired much of his work. In his own words, "of the things I was trying to do was to use this idea not just break up the moods but also as a metaphor for moving through life and arriving in different destinations or arriving at different stages in different parts of your life. Memory, Love, Living, Family, Friendship, Healing, Death and The Afterworld are some of the themes I wanted to explore within this record. Although these strong themes and tracks are personal to me, I alsowanted it to be a great listen that was unpredictable yet had a seamless flow - a journey that was personal to me yet to the listener a great compilation of music that they may or may not have heard before. I hope I’ve succeeded in the later.”

Twenty one rare and mostly unavailable tracks from the slick and sassy world of Nigerian pop music and club culture of the early 1980s. Many of the original albums these tracks are taken from fetch insane prices online due to their rarity and so we are very grateful that they have been lovingly compiled by Soundway Records.

A wicked compilation with only rare top notch zouk tracks that have never been compiled before, not least as it reveals a broader spectrum to the zouk music style. Superb for your tropical dancefloor.

A wonderful insight into the musical adventures that were taking place in the major Senegalese cities during the 60s and 70s. Funk, Mbalax, Cuban Son and Mandigue guitar sounds transformed Dakar into West Africa's most vibrant city. Well worth the trip!

Anatolian melodies, disco rhythms, amazing instrumentation; our Turkish connection (looking at you Jonny) has slowly been drip-feeding us stuff like this. Here's to another year of essential digs!

What can be said about the Gerd-meister that hasn't already been said? Through this mix he explores a space between cosmic disco and acid house - never too hard, nor too soft, it makes for the perfect soundtrack to a sunrise or a sunset alike. The man knows his bangers, and he knows his mash, simple as that.

A unique and never before released collection which demonstrates the remixes and productions Larry Levan carried out when he wasn’t filling the dance floor DJing at the Paradise Garage. Larry Levan was a king of remixing and editing often adding that special “Levan” magic to some huge artists of the time like Gwen Guthrie, Smokey Robinson and Loose Joints amongst others. This release was a gold mine of Larry mixes, and it's been selling consistently in the shop accordingly.

Yugoslavian Space Program was the first ever electronic space music themed record from former Yugoslavia - yes, thats a tough one to top, we know. Discom Record's effort to highlight Eastern Europian sounds is worthy of note here, cheack their other releases!

The second compilation exploring the dark corners of a French musical landscape where recording studio workaholics like Jean-Pierre Massiera or Roger Roger produced endless strings of records that challenged the laws of gravity (and sometimes the laws of good taste!).