BEST OF 2011

chicka yeah!

2011 has been the biggest year in the short history of the Moombahton movement so we here at Metal Top Hat wanted to take the time to run down our top 5 releases of the year.

5) Moombahsoul Vol. 1

Heartbreak's June compilation showcased the sexiest side of Moombahton.  Fans of the movement know it all began with "Shy Day" and blossomed into three volumes of fun in the summer of 2011 and this one started the ball rolling.  Heavy hitters DJ Melo, Riot Earp, Pickster One, Jon Kwest, Munchi, and of course David Heartbreak lined up to drop some smoothness on all of us.  Great for a summertime cruise through your neighborhood or for grooving with friends at a barbeque, the soulful tracks ushered in the warm temps with style and grace and still rock dance floors well into the cold months.
The Weeknd "Rolling Stone" ( Heartbreak's Remix ) by David Heartbreak Pickster - Stay Together Feat. Kris Hill by PicksterOne
DJ Melo & Jon Kwest - Ecstasy by azdjmelo

4) Verano Del Moombahton

Little material came into the blogosphere from pioneer Munchi this past year following a 2010 filled with releases.  One of the finest compilations to rise above the clatter was his summer release, Verano Del Moombahton.  Here again we're introduced to moombahton's versatility with tracks like "Jimi Knows" transforming nearly any type of tune into a dance floor destroyer.  Pickster One, Teen Wolf, and Sazon Booya are some of the highlighted producers.
Sazon Booya - Mis Armas |Verano De Moombahton| by Sazon Booya Munchi - Jimi Knows by Munchi
Hostage - Straight Raw by HOSTAGE

3) The Spring Of Moombahton

By far the longest release of the year was this massive compilation put together by Lightening Eyez and set free on the first of August despite its title.  Featuring both Light and Dark sides of moombahton and released simultaneous with the even larger re:BIRTH of Wildstyle comps, this 46 track set showcased the up and coming nature of the genre.  The through note of versatility again shined as listeners were treated to the gamut of styles intertwining their way into the moombahton subconscious.  Producers like Flubba, SAUR, 2 Deep, DJ MADD OD, and J-Trick flexed their muscles along with many others.
J-Trick & Anndyk - Blaze It (Original Moombahcore Mix) by J-TRICK Jungle Toaster by flubba
2Deep & babySTEPS - Horn Swag (Original Mix) by 2 DEEP
Top 2 after the jump!

2) Lighter

By far the most controversial release of the year, Jon Kwest took a whole lot of flack for dropping his homage to the UK's Jungle/DNB scene this month but the comp is no joke.  Just as dutch house and bubblin' contributed to the beginnings of moombahton, Jungle music was a huge influence on Jon Kwest and was primed for 110 flips.  The result runs the emotional gamut with OGs up in arms over the lack of "respect" shown to the movement despite the intentions of these remixers.  Brent Tactic, DJ Apt One, Kid Cedek, Xian1 and Kwest all deliver dance floor rattlers sure to cause a little controversy at your next party.
Brainkillers & Remarc - Press The Buzzer - Xian1 - Moombahton Remix by xian1bass Dillinja- Grimey (Kid Cedek 2011 Moombah Break) [[FREE 24 BIT DOWNLOAD]] by Kid Cedek Q Project - Champion Sound (bujuvip)- Xian1 Moombahton Remix by xian1bass

1) Blow Your Head Vol. 2

And topping the list, the album meant as an introduction to the masses; curated by moombah-creator Dave Nada, from start to finish this CD is a history lesson in tropical bass.  With edits featured early on in the movement and unreleased remixes we had all been waiting for, Blow Your Head didn't disappoint (I personally had been waiting on Dillon Francis' "Broken Hearts" remix for like four months and was more than pleased to pick the record up on pre-order with a fancy t-shirt).  Munchi, Diplo, Tittsworth, DJ Melo, Nadastrom, Sabo, and more contributed to this introduction to a genre Dave Nada describes as, "the type of music that's not pretentious....It doesn't matter what kind of haircut you have or what scene you identify with. The beats really draw from a huge spectrum of music." (LA Times)  And with this comp you see it all from the raw firepower of Munchi's Moombahcore, to the sway of Sabo's laid back style, and to the bouncy freshness of Nada, it's all there for your listening pleasure.

Blow Your Head Vol. 2: Dave Nada Presents Moombahton Minimix by Mad Decent