The 10 best tracks of 2012, according to Gilles Peterson

As you probably know, Gilles Peterson is a world-famous DJ and tastemaker – next month, he’s curating his annual Worldwide Awards at Camden’s Koko, featuring the likes of Mala, The Invisible and Stubborn Heart – so naturally we’re interested in what sounds from around the world were making his taste in 2012. Dive into his list of the year’s best below, and catch the Awards on the 19th January.

Meridian Brothers – Guaracha U.F.O
Gilles: “Tropical madness from the most consistent of all the “world for club culture” labels. Twisted cumbia at around 150BPM… terrorises the dancefloor!”
Julio Bashmore – Au Seve
Gilles: “Looking forward to putting this at the back of the box in 2013 as I’ve heard it a few too many times! But having said that, this is probably the tune that will best remind me of 2012… fully-realised, made in England house bomb.”
Andrew Ashong – flowers (sound signature)
Gilles: “Gotta love a 10 minute blissed soul tune with that Theo Parrish type underbeat – my most played vinyl of the year – still trying to find a way of mixing it out of War’s Slippin’ into Darkness…!”
Goat – Disco Fever
Gilles: “Psychedelic take on afrobeat and beyond from these crazy Norwegians. I can’t wait to see them live.”
David Virelles – Continuum
Gilles: “This is my jazz artist of the year. He’s another amazing cuban pianist and mixes old rumba mystique with free jazz… killer mix…not for dancefloor though!”
Ultraista – Small Talk (Four Tet remix)
Gilles: “What a year for Kieran Hebden – his DJ set at the Worldwide fest in Sete this year was my co-highlight (along with Machinedrum) – specially when he mixed Jackie McLean out of some mad techno… this Ultraista remix was my pick of his production work … kills it every time.”
TNGHT – Higher Ground
Gilles: “The most on-point UK sound of 2012.. somewhere between trap hip hop and bass… HudMo deserves every plaudit he gets. A true pioneer. Really want to combine their sound with the UK’s Sons of Kemet in 2013… now that would be a collaboration…”
Mala – Changuito
Gilles: “To have been involved in this project from its inception and watching Mala’s take on Cuba explode has been one of my career highlights. His show at Electric Brixton was emotional and Changuito off the album works every time.”
Hiatus Kayote – Nakamarra
Gilles: “Fantastic group from Melbourne Australia. Taylor McFerrin first turned me onto them back in March and they’ve gone on to get the love from the Questlove and Erykah Badu family… soul with a twist…and Nai Palm the singer can let off…”
Criolo – Linha De Frente
Gilles: “Brazilian singer/rapper who has taken on the ‘Seu Jorge’ mantle of mixing tropicalismo, bossa and beats…one of the best live shows I saw in 2012.”