As with just about every year, 2019 featured numerous great tracks from all corners of the globe. More and more it feels that artists are bluring the lines between these things we call “genres”, and I think that’s a good thing. In which was an almost impossible task, I have compiled my favorite 125 tracks from the past twelve months and have dived deeper into the top 25.

With that being said, here are BeatCaffeine’s top 25 songs of 2019. Preview each track and see the top 125 by checking out the spotify playlist below.

 
 

25. Rudy’s Midnight Machine — “La Cadenza”
(Faze Action)

The title track to Robin Lee’s latest Rudy Midnight Machine EP fuses tropical balearic grooves and layered synth melodies, with funky drum machine-based rhythms and punchy electric bass lines.

 
 

24. Flamingo Pier — “Hold It”
(Soundway)

Featured on an EP that was released to coincide with the Flamingo Pier Festival in Waiheke, New Zealand, this tropical dance floor banger mixes funky disco rhythms, boogie-influenced synth bass lines with Afro-centric percussion and exotic tropical grooves.

 
 

23. Resavoir — “Resavoir”
(International Anthem)

Led by producer and arranger Will Miller, and featuring an expansive Chicago-based jazz collective, this melodic title track features layered jazz instrumentation combined with atmospheric textures.

 
 

22. Bakar — “Hell N Back”
(self-released)

Backed by layered horn melodies, this catchy retro-sounding soulful track from rising UK artist details a love story of highs and lows.

 
 

21. Dexter Story feat. Hamelmal Abate — “Shuruba Song”
(Soundway)

A great collaboration from Los Angeles-based multi-instrumentalist, producer, and composer Dexter Story and Ethiopian singer Hamelmal Abate, which fuses together elements of Ethio-jazz, Afro-funk, Tuareg grooves, ekista dance rhythms, Somalian soul, and jazz.

 
 

20. Marcos Valle — “Minha Romã”
(Far Out Recordings)

Brazilian legend Marcos Valle successful re-captures his “Estrelar” eighties-boogie vibes on this incredible spacey samba dance floor gem.

 
 

19. JAB — “Directions”
(Joon Dada Records)

Written by Junior Alli-Balogun (JAB) following a successful tour with Theo Parrish, this is jazz-inspired and uplifting dance track that heavily features sweltering organ sounds, vibes, and funky percussion rhythms.

 
 

18. Mildlife — “How Long Does It Take?”
(self-released)

Described by the band as “a homage to the dance floors and clubbers who championed our music from day 1,” this uptempo cosmic groover has often served as the group’s live set closer.

 
 

17. Ezra Collective — “Quest For Coin”
(Enter the Jungle Records)

Released on the London-based group’s brilliant full-length You Can Not Steal My Joy, “Quest For Coin” blends uptempo jazz-funk vibes with Afrobeat-inspired rhythms.

 
 

16. Bobby Oroza — “Finishing Touch”
(Big Crown Records)

A moody lo-fi soul gem from the Helsinki-based vocalist Bobby Oroza, backed by Timmion Records stellar house band Cold Diamond & Mink.

 
 

15. Ash Walker feat. Laville — “Finishing Touch”
(Night Time Stories)

London-based deejay and producer Ash Walker takes his one-man cosmic dub jazz sound underwater on this hypnotic soulful groover featuring special guest vocalist and fellow Londoner Laville.

 
 

14. DjeuhDjoah & Lieutenant Nicholson — “Tout s’assemble”
(Hot Casa Records)

One of the many tropical dance floor tracks from French-Afropean duo DjeuhDjoah & Lieutenant Nicholson on their 2019 full-length Aimez ces airs. The track is a solid mix of Afro-pop rhythms, modern funk synth-based grooves, and soulful vocals.

 
 

13. Ethnic Heritage Ensemble — “Pharoah”
(Spiritmuse Records)

Led by legendary Chicago percussionist, vocalist & composer Kahil El’Zaba and featured on the group’s Be Known Ancient/Future/Music album, the head-nodding spiritual jazz gem pays homage to jazz great Pharaoh Sanders.

 
 

12. Theo Parrish w/ Maurissa Rose — “This Is For You”
(Sound Signature)

More “footwork” from the legendary Detroit DJ/producer, blending minimalistic house grooves and 808-inspired beats with Maurissa Rose’s soulful vocals.

 
 

11. The Mauskovic Dance Band — “Late Night People”
(Soundway)

One of the many standout tracks from the Amsterdam band’s debut full-length, combining psychedelic and Latin influences, with funky Caribbean-style rhythms, explosive no wave dance grooves, spaced-out synth melodies, and lo-fi atmospheric vocals.

 
 

10. FKA Twigs — “Cellophane”
(Young Turks)

One of the most beautiful and moving songs of 2019, this is the closing track off of FKA Twigs’ incredible new album Magdalene.

 
 

9. Carwyn Ellis & Rio 18 — “Undíá”
(Banana & Louie)

Featured on the UK-based group’s Brazilian-inspired album Joia!, “Undiú” is a soulful samba uplifting groover that sounds like it washed in straight from the beaches of Rio.

 
 

8. Synthia feat. Lady Wray — “Tonight You Might”
(Big Crown Records)

A monster boogie synth-pop dance floor cut featuring vocalist Lady Wray, with a strong resemblance to Mtume’s classic “Juicy Fruit”.

 
 

7. KOKOROKO — “Uman”
(Brownswood Recordings)

One of four standout track’s off of the London-based ensemble’s brilliant debut EP, blending together jazz melodies and Afrobeat rhythms.

 
 

6. Camarão Orkestra — “Nação África”
(Favorite Recordings)

A tropical Brazilian-influenced dance floor funk gem from the Paris-based ensemble Camarão Orkestra.

 
 

5. Helado Negro — “Please Won’t Please”
(RVNGIntl.)

Featured on the New York-based musician and visual artist’s sixth album This Is How You Smile, “Please Won’t Please” has an overall fell-good vibe that blends together electronic beats, atmospheric tones, and soulful melodies.

 
 

4. SAULT — “Why Why Why Why Why”
(Forever Living Originals)

Taking 2019 by storm in 2019, SAULT’s “Why Why Why Why Why” is just one of many great tracks on the group’s full-length 5, blending together soulful vocals with electronics, post-punk (think ESG) and funky dance floor vibes.

 
 

3. Nérija — “Riverfest”
(Domino Recording Co.)

Featuring some of the top players in London’s thriving jazz scene, including tenor saxophonist Nubya Garcia, Sheila Maurice-Grey on trumpet, alto saxophonist Cassie Kinoshi, trombonist Rosie Turton, Shirley Tetteh on guitar, drummer Lizy Exell, and SEED Ensemble bassist Rio Kai. “Riverfest” is a uplifting mid-tempo jazz groover that incorporates deep South African rooted melodies.

 
 

2. Zara McFarlane w/ Dennis Bovell — “East of the River Nile”
(Brownswood Recordings)

London-based vocalist Zara McFarlane and notable reggae producer and innovator Dennis Bovell on a new rendition of Augustus Pablo’s 1977 dub classic.

 
 

1. Damon Locks’ Black Monument Ensemble — “The Colors That You Bring”
(International Anthem)

Featured on the group’s phenomenal album Where Future Unfolds, this brilliant track combines jazz, soaring vocal chants, electronic grooves, and spoken word recordings from the Civil Rights movement.

 
 

BeatCaffeine’s Favorite 125 Tracks of 2019

• Best of
• New Releases