Wrapping up the Scene in 2005 (Yes, That Means More Best of Lists)

The past year has been a good one for Seattle. The Decibel Festival, Red Bull Music Academy, and one-off shows brought in talent to a degree that's inconsistent with the actual size of our metropolis. Seattle's producers and DJs also managed to make waves outside the region, with well-received releases and appearances at world-reknowned festivals. Most importantly, the year is closing with strong momentum, setting up next year to further propel the Seattle scene. In celebration of 2006, here are Seattlest's picks for the top 6 tracks and performances to come about this year. We recognize these lists are usually a source of controversy, so let us know in the comments if we've made any glaring omissions.

Seattlest's Top 6 Tracks of 2005
Suntzu Sound - Tickles
While the A-side of Suntzu Sound's first release is a more broken-beat affair, the B-side all but steals the show with AC Lewis' production creating an impressive party jam. Vancouver MC Ndidi Cascade's confident delivery, coupled with the beefy bassline may bring about comparisons to 2005 it-girl M.I.A., but this track doesn't rely on that similarity to succeed, instead winning the listener over with its unique flava.

Ghislain Poirier feat. DJ Collage - Mic Diplomat
After listening to (and enjoying) a mix by Montreal's Ghislain Poirier for months (part of the highly recommended Lemon-Red Mix Series), Seattlest finally noticed that Seattle's own DJ Collage was doing mic duty on one track. This track's spare production brings Collage's vocals to the focus, filling in the dancehall attitude and swagger that are only hinted at by the instrumental.

Lost Boys - Love Boot
This bootleg of "Love Thang" by First Choice is a house music home run. It manages to pay homage to its classic disco source material without coming off as an unnecessary retread. It's a definite peak-hour track that manages to hit all the right notes to keep a crowd interested, and more importantly, dancing.

Caro - Heavy Wheel
One of the highest achievements in electronic music is when a producer is able to bring out the soul in the machine, humanizing the output of knobs, switches and buttons. Orac labelhead Randy Jones manages to do just that in this techno gem, whose piano loop/synth combination recalls the work of Detroit's Carl Craig, praise not handed out lightly.

Foscil feat. Specs One - Massive Moves
These fourthcity affiliates team up with local MC Specs One to create the sort of jazzy laid-back track that takes cues from hip-hop's early 90s golden age. Based around a horn loop, the track's lazy groove matches perfectly with Specs One's subdued flow, a calm respite from the hypermasculinity in a lot of hip-hop/rap.

Not Boyfriend Material - Flammable
This project of producer Mat Anderson has produced what might be the defining Seattle house track. Much like Sir Mix-A-Lot's "Posse On Broadway," Flammable is a track about, and for Seattle, specifically Rebar's Sunday weekly. With vocals that include statements such as "Put your shirt back on," the track immediately brings smiles to the faces of Rebar regulars, while the track's dancefloor-friendliness keeps it from being reduced to a mere gimmick.