, so far...
SD: I have general appreciation for a lot of teams actually, who not only show real effort to work the dance and squeeze out the best of the music, rhythm, movement, expression to engage people watching, but to try make the aesthetic in line with their own style and philosophy/way of movement. Also, great respect for those incorporating - more or less successful - ballroom dancing references like figures, body actions, connections or just giving out the joy, cheekiness, sensuality and all other array of emotions associated within the Latin style/rhythms/music! For example, at NHK last week I could not find a single performance that was not enjoyable in at least some extend, teams really get the material going in their respective abilities, even if the sole material/music/choreography is not up to everybody's liking. It's a great thing for the potato spectator I am
My top 4 personally speaking, taking into consideration more of general impression, how the dance, performance of it resonates with myself:
- Hubbell/Donohue: great 'rounding' and balance between polish of movement and giving out sensuality vibe of the music, dance performed more 'to each other' by my reception than 'to the public', which is a big advantage in my book - this closeness, intimacy and privacy atmosphere created between them makes a believable picture that attracts people;
- Virtue/Moir: it's quite a risky concept of the dance, but defended by very impressive performance, with stress and attention put to every element: expression, way of movement, connection, flow of the elements, attack, all done with equal strength and boldness. The level of ballroom references integration and how they are incorporated/executed is remarkable, along with the mix of control and sharpness over execution with vividness of expression. They both seem to have a great time performing it. Non-touching step sequence and pattern are a class on the field, former especially - once again, it reflects on so many things, incorporates rhythm, ballroom body action along with their individual personalities, chemistry between them AND character of the dance/music.
- Shibutanis: this is a SD that simply put a smile on my face, everything is just so easy on eyes and so well-thought to process the beauty and fluidity of the final effect, not analysing meticulously everything. They truly manage to play on the more 'vintage', traditional Latin concept, but make it work for their personal style, sleekness, modernity of movement, sourcing from tradition, but translating it into more modern surroundings, creating an universal appeal in my opinion. The music is probably cut/put together in the best way out there: it flows, presenting a range of rhythms, playing so nicely on tempos, which are then reflected brilliantly in choreography. The partial step sequence - for me, a gem of that dance, really showing of their fabulous polish and technical basis of execution, feel of the rhythm/musicality, attention to detail, their postures and how they are 'framing' the dance in elegant, sophisticated way. Another remarkable points: putting twizzles into counting part of music, making a statement from it and attention on bounce put for rhythmical accentuation of movement in non-touching step sequence. And it's just infectious to hum out the music and sway along with Maia's gorgeous fringe-y bottom of the dress; the effectiveness of this dance is insane;
- Gilles/Poiries - I know this is an odd choice, but I'm totally biased about the team and sold on the concept from the first outing, sorry not sorry. Again, such a well-thought, carefully crafted original concept of the dance, completed with totally cohesive package. This vintage-y feel of the music, the sleeves effect, cheekiness in expression gives all the 'wink' effect to the audience. Such a nice bouncing action effect in the first part of the dance incorporated, it feels Latin without being 'in-your-face', too hard about it. It's for me more about how to play out the rhythm/aesthetic/movement with our perspective, adding the character to it to reflect the team; I know it's not popular approach and the dance is not as impressive, chemistry-packed as others out there, but there is something about this understated, sophisticated, stylish outlook and feel of that SD that draws me like a good movie;
If I had to pick top 5 SDs so far, I'd have a trouble to pick out this fifth one to be honest...I just like something from a lot of dances, I'm not yet sold on a whole, but there are quite a few that are impressive - Weaver/Poje, Papadakis/Cizeron, Bobrova/Soloviev, Chock/Bates, Cappellini/Lanotte, Muramoto/Reed, Smart/Diaz, Coomes/Buckland, Fornier-Beaudry/Sorensen, Sinitsina/Katsalapov. I think that all those teams picked a good music and concept for them, enabling them to excel in the execution and creation a solid vibe, impact onto audience. Still curious how Chock/Bates and Cappellini/Lanotte SDs will grow and develop, Papadakis/Cizeron's SD is very well-put together, effective AND execute is a very strong, convincing manner, it just don't have the 'lasting effect' as a wholesome for me, comparing to their FD, still appreciating the work and effort put to make that aesthetic and rhythm work for them so well. Also, respect to Penny and Nick who have one of the most 'flowy' SD out there and working it so well (that lift done along with slow tempo of the music though - a masterpiece!)
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too lazy and in a hurry.... 
I like the Shibs SD far more than their FD at this point and I'm hoping for major improvements at SkAm. 
