RAJEEV's TOP 5 MIXES OF 2004

The good thing about being sick today - it gave me time to write up my favorite mixes of the year. Jason and I have each already posted our favorite albums of the year, but 2004's mix CD's were a particularly strong batch. So here's a quick look at my favorites, alphabetized to be diplomatic:

Akufen - Fabric 17. The term "microhouse" gets tossed around a lot but this is micro in the truest sense of the word - an almost dizzying mix of clicks and blips in a surprisingly fun, upbeat, and accessible listen. Fabric's mixes are always strong and this is one of their best. Choice moment: Senor Coconut's micro rework of Deep Purple's "Smoke on the Water."

DFA Compilation #2. Only one disc is mixed, which I'll use to sneak the whole thing in. With stellar production and percussion, a ton of variety, and no filler, my only gripe about this 3 disc set is that it's just too much DFA to digest at once ... like a 69 Love Songs you can dance to. Choice moment: The acid techno jam that ends LCD Soundsystem's "Yeah" (naturally).

Optimo - How to Kill the DJ [Part Two]. I went on and on about this one a couple weeks ago. It still rules. Choice moment: The Arthur Russell/Akufen mash-up, but I have trouble picking just one.

Erlend Oye - DJ Kicks. A DJ singing over other people's records sounds pretty questionable on paper, but Oye manages to make it work quite well with an eclectic selection ranging from Kompakt's Jurgen Paape to Phoenix and The Rapture. Choice moment: Oye singing The Smiths' "There Is A Light That Never Goes Out" over a remix of Royksopp's "Poor Leno."

Tim Sweeney - RVNG PRSNTS MX3. Unquestionably the best deal of the year at $4 - I've paid much more for far worse CD's. From Bauhaus to Radiohead to Cat Power, Sweeney packs in a ton with surprising ease. Choice moment: Kraftwerk's "Numbers" mixed into LFO's "Nurture."

Honorable mentions: Thomas Brinkmann - Tour De Traum, DJ Koze - All People Is My Friends, Morgan Geist - Unclassics, Trax Records 20th Anniversary Collection