2005 has been an interesting year in music. The big movement coming in the form of the Electro House sounds and the minimal branch of techno took some large ground and picked up thousands of new fans around the world.

With any big sound movement, there is always the added bonus of discovering some quality artists that emerge from the heap, and this year has been no different. From the big names such as Mylo and Jacques Lu Cont to the more understated producers such as Trentemoller & Tiefschwarz, this year has unearthed some quality names, and more importantly, some quality music. Of course, once you have good music, it also means that you are going to have some quality DJ mixes to boot, and as such, this year has also been a good year for the classic DJ mix album.

Below is a small selection of Artist Albums, Compilations and Single releases that we have handpicked as our highlights of 2005. Of course there are loads of release that we've missed, but we are more then happy to hear what you thought/abuse of the music of 2005 in the RA forums. Who rocked your musical world this year?

The Best in Compilations

Freeform Five - Misch Masch
Misch Masch is Freeform Five's first mix compilation and it showcases why they were one of the biggest artist to make their mark in 2005.

Richie Hawtin - DE9: Transitions
Transitions is the third in Richie Hawtin’s DE9 mix series, and sees Hawtin push both the envelope of electronic music, and the role of technology in creating such music.

John Digweed - Choice: A Collection of Classics
When you have the prospect of one of the top DJ’s of our time mixing a collection of his personal favourite records you can expect to hear something special. John Digweed dives into his vast collection of tunes and delivers a special double CD mix of some past classics.

Danny Howells – Global Underground 027: Miami
Global Underground finally hit the form that has made it one of the greatest mix compilation series going around with a superb mix from Danny Howells. Smooth 'Danny' House at its best.

Underwater Episode 4 - Darren Emerson & Sharem Jay
Darren Emerson & Sharem Jay team up for the 4th, and one of the strongest, releases on the Underwater imprint.

Balance 008 mixed by Desyn Masiello
Desyn had a big year in 2005, and this Balance mix showcases what he is all about. A fantastic compilation that is sure to stand the test of time.

Artist Album Highlights

Atomic Hooligan - You Are Here
Atomic Hooigan deliver one of the must own albums of the year with You Are Here - a culmination of tunes embracing sounds of rock, hip hop, house, techno and electro all rooted in the production principles of breakbeat.

Depeche Mode - Playing the Angel
Depeche Mode returns with another album that you must say ranks with one of their finest albums over their long and successful career.

Alex Smoke - Incommunicado
Alex Smoke releases and album full of deep tracks that thankfully have great variety and emotive strength.

Steve Porter - Homegrown
It has been a long time coming, but Steve 'Porterhouse' Porter has finally delivered the goods with his long-awaited artist debut Homegrown.

DJ T. – Boogie Playground
One of Get Physical’s biggest artists show why the sound of the German imprint has been so huge this year with DJ T providing an ultra smooth album that features the massive ‘Freemind’.

Plump DJs - Saturday Night Lotion
Saturday Night Lotion brings back all we loved about the Plumps from their Plump Night Out release - big basslines, big drum breaks and big lashings of funk.

Single Releases of the Year (Digital / Vinyl)

Luke Dzierzek - One Day / Echo
Label: Silver Planet
In what was a fantastic year for Silver Planet, it was surely Luke Dzierzek that delivered their best release with two stunning tracks for the young producer that got him into the record boxes of some of the biggest DJ's around.

Kosmas Epsilon - Innocent Thoughts
Label: Heavy Rotation
If there was one must own progressive release of the year, then you can look no further then the wizard that is Kosmas Epsilon. A stunning original mix was also complimented by a brilliant Stel mix of this progressive anthem for 2005.

Rico Tubbs - Flashlighter / Brazillia
Label: Menu Music
Finland's Rico Tubbs delivers a dancefloor winner with two intense breakbeat moments in Flashlighter & Brazillia.

The Premature Wig - Give It Up EP
Label: Skor Records
A 4 tracker that oozes in innovation and unique moments, with some brilliant deep tech house, the Premature Wig were behind one of the finer release for 2005.

Harry Peat - Affrodizziac
Label: Alternative Route
Harry Peat, and thanks to a cracking remix from Asad Rizvi, was behind one of the better house release this year. Another top class release from without doubt one of the finest labels in the business.

Fairmont – Gazebo / Gazelle
Label: Border Community
James Holden’s Border Community end 2005 with a stunning release from Jake Fairley. 4 brilliant productions on the one slab of vinyl lean towards one of the strongest releases to come from the Border imprint.