The 10 Best Dance Tunes of 2013

Tradition time.

10. As We Collide (Orjan Nilsen Remix) by Christian Burns, Paul Oakenfold and Jes

9. Need U (100%) by Duke Dumont feat. A*M*E

8. Axis by Pet Shop Boys

7. Magenta by Giuseppe Ottaviani with Ferry Corsten

6. Try to be a Headliner (DoubleV Mashup) by Jorn van Deynhoven vs Sunlounger feat. Zara Taylor

5. When a Fire Starts to Burn by Disclosure

4. Cheops (Original Mix) by Matt Bukovski, Andy Elliass and Abys

3. Ramelia (Tribute to Amelia) by Ram and Susana

2. Count On Me by Chase and Status feat. Moko

Just wow. It has been a vintage year all-round. An excellent year for UK dance with Duke Dumont, Disclosure and Chase and Status all reaping deserved overground success and praise - especially Count On Me which rates as one of the greatest, uplifting dance-your-arse-off anthems ever to leave this shores. And an entirely unexpected 80s rewind from the Pet Shop Boys. If you haven't heard Axis yet, what's your excuse?

But, as long term readers know, trance is where this blog's really at. With awful chimey-rhymey EDM cluttering up the radio and the clubs, and despite the likes of Tiësto and Armin van Buuren cashing in with their own unimaginative jingles, trance - now it's very much underground again - has hit its stride. Always best when it is emotional and euphoric, it has grabbed for itself six of the year's ten spots. Cheops is a work of classical beauty not seen since the golden age at the turn of the century. Ramelia is a deeply sad and moving piece. Composed in tribute to DJ Ram's wife, who died suddenly in May, you would have to be made of stone not to surrender to its grip. But the best, the single most stunning dance song of the year fuses poignancy and joy in a piece that almost defies description. My pick is more than the cream of 2013's crop. It's a contender for the best song of the decade and is among one of the greatest trance records ever produced. Ignore the fan-made video. This is the original mix of Apprehension by Simon O'Shine and Sergey Nevone. Enjoy.