my annual top 40 list (for 2003)

[Mike Johnson]

1. Love And War - Amp Fiddler (Genuine)
2. Illuminations - Rusty Waters (Sound Signature)
3. The Fix Is U - Kerri Chandler (Large)
4. I Am Music - Common (MCA)
5. West Afrikan Guitar Groove - Koloke (Spiritual Life)
6. Fanatic (future soul mix) - Vivian Green (Columbia)
7. Worlds - Passion Dance Orchestra (Needs)
8. Black Action - Glenn Underground (Shelter)
9. Yellow - Kerri Chandler (King Street)
10. Strength Courage and Wisdom - India Arie (Fallout)
11. Reach 4 Freedom - Dennis Ferrer (Nite Grooves)
12. Keys of Life - Jaque (Jellybean)
13. Butterfly - Daniell Spencer (Chez)
14. Your Love - Noel Nanton (Honchos)
15. Rocketship (Steve Harvey mix) - Donnie (Giant Step)
16. Love That Jazz - Kim English (Nervous)
17. Come 2 Me - Fertile Ground (Gotsoul)
18. If I Have To Change - Stephanie Cooke (King Street)
19. Afro Man - Jovonn (Soundmen on Wax)
20. Runaway - Pitch Black City (Mahagoni)
21. Cloud 9 - Donnie (Giant Step)
22. Take Me Home (MAW mix) - Sara Devine (white)
23. Chasing My Dreams - 95 North (Large)
24. New Day - Atelewo (Yoruba)
25. I Am The Road - Markus Enochson & E-Man (MAW)
26. Movin’ On - Michelle Weeks (Kif)
27. Music and Me - DJ Spinna (BBE)
28. It’s Broken - DJ Romain Late Night Sessions (Nu Faze)
29. My Way - DJ Pope (Gotsoul)
30. Feels Like - Sieji / Osunlade (white)
31. Speaking In Tongues - Nikos (Undermyskin)
32. Life Is But A Dream - Frankie Feliciano feat. Lynae (MAW)
33. Let It Go (Jazznova mix) - Sean Escoffery (Oyster)
34. Fantasy Situation - Charles Webster (Dance Tracks)
35. You Don’t Know What Love Is - Casandra Wilson / Joe Claussell (black)
36. Look Inside Yourself - Glenn Underground (Shelter)
37. The Wind - Working Underneath feat. Libby Jones (Siesta)
38. Believers (This One) - Leroy Smith feat. Ne-Groove (Pure Filth)
39. Shelter - Ann Nesby (God’s House)
40. I Go Back - Robert Owens (Subliminal)

Hon. mentions

41. Heart Break - Mariah Carey (?)
42. Cerca D Mi - Raul Midon (Vega)
43. Come Back Baby - Naked Soul (Seasons)
44. For My People (Krivit mix) - Missy Elliott (Ibadan)
45. That's How Much I Love You - Ambrosia (Shelter)

non-scientific, purely subjective, based totally on my opinion ;)

[ December 12, 2003, 10:19 AM: Message edited by: Mike Johnson ]

[DaveR]

Thanks for sharing Mike ! ...

DR

[D J 1 3 8]

Originally posted by Mike Johnson:
10. Strength Courage and Wisdom - India Arie (Fallout) Nice list.
Am I the only person that thought this record sounded out of key? Meaning: the remix wasn't created in the same key as the vocals were originally recorded. I could be wrong. It just always sounded weird and dischordant to me, particularly the sample that runs throughout the track.

[Mike Johnson]

Originally posted by DJ 138:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Mike Johnson:
10. Strength Courage and Wisdom - India Arie (Fallout) Nice list.
Am I the only person that thought this record sounded out of key? Meaning: the remix wasn't created in the same key as the vocals were originally recorded. I could be wrong. It just always sounded weird and dischordant to me, particularly the sample that runs throughout the track. </font>[/QUOTE]I like the original but it's the production that grabbed me on this one.

[Mark Herring]

love the list mike. pure class in selection. and a couple of pieces I will be on the hunt for thanks.

[liL Ray]

Originally posted by Mike Johnson:
4. I Am Music - Common (MCA) Folks are asleep at the wheels on this one....it's a genuine hit at BKNY(Nyc) on weds. Also, I dropped this one at Shelter(early crowd), and they ate it up....even the janitor loved it(hahahahaha, see Jamie 6:26 top dj list).

Great list Mike....some really great music on there...

[imported_Chr_stopher]

i havent heard even one of these records.

makes me want to get more current.

c-

[DLow]

Originally posted by DJ 138:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Mike Johnson:
10. Strength Courage and Wisdom - India Arie (Fallout) Nice list.
Am I the only person that thought this record sounded out of key? Meaning: the remix wasn't created in the same key as the vocals were originally recorded. I could be wrong. It just always sounded weird and dischordant to me, particularly the sample that runs throughout the track. </font>[/QUOTE]No, you're not the only one. Someone said the same thing to me a couple of months ago, but I don't hear it.

[David Le C]

Originally posted by liL Ray:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Mike Johnson:
4. I Am Music - Common (MCA) Folks are asleep at the wheels on this one....it's a genuine hit at BKNY(Nyc) on weds. Also, I dropped this one at Shelter(early crowd), and they ate it up....even the janitor loved it(hahahahaha, see Jamie 6:26 top dj list).

Great list Mike....some really great music on there... </font>[/QUOTE]Mos def!!! Common brought the heat with this cut, thx Shannon harris for introducing me to this one!

[Jamie 3:26]

Originally posted by Derrick:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by DJ 138:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Mike Johnson:
10. Strength Courage and Wisdom - India Arie (Fallout) Nice list.
Am I the only person that thought this record sounded out of key? Meaning: the remix wasn't created in the same key as the vocals were originally recorded. I could be wrong. It just always sounded weird and dischordant to me, particularly the sample that runs throughout the track. </font>[/QUOTE]No, you're not the only one. Someone said the same thing to me a couple of months ago, but I don't hear it. </font>[/QUOTE]It's due to the time-strecthing and the way she sings the original song.I did NOT get it.

[Jamie 3:26]

Mike, that's a dope list.It is very on point and would make a hell of a party.

[Maria]

I look forward to this, thank you!

[Jay Rags]

Originally posted by Christopher L. Aquilo:
i havent heard even one of these records.

makes me want to get more current.

c- ? I know you had to have heard "Circa de mi" man. Although it's a nice song, they forced it on us all at the conference last year. smile.gif

[Jay Rags]

Nice list Mike!! Here's my favs from your list.

11. Reach 4 Freedom - Dennis Ferrer (Nite Grooves)
15. Rocketship (Steve Harvey mix) - Donnie (Giant Step)
21. Cloud 9 - Donnie (Giant Step)
25. I Am The Road - Markus Enochson & E-Man (MAW)
27. Music and Me - DJ Spinna (BBE)
29. My Way - DJ Pope (Gotsoul)
35. You Don’t Know What Love Is - Casandra Wilson / Joe Claussell (black)
36. Look Inside Yourself - Glenn Underground (Shelter)
39. Shelter - Ann Nesby (God’s House)
40. I Go Back - Robert Owens (Subliminal)
42. Cerca D Mi - Raul Midon (Vega)
45. That's How Much I Love You - Ambrosia (Shelter)

graemlins/thumbsup.gif

[Bill B.]

Phat list Mike! Now when should I expect my CDs? http://deephousepage.com/smilies/wink_2.gif

[Mike Johnson]

Originally posted by Bill Brown Jr:
Phat list Mike! Now when should I expect my CDs? http://deephousepage.com/smilies/wink_2.gif You know me ("slow eddie") Maybe some time in 2004 :D

Everybody else, thanks for the comments. But be reminded, my list isn't gospel. A track that a lot of folks big-upped this year, Amp Dog's "I'm Doing Fine" is a nice track IMO, but didn't grab me in the gut. I'm sure I got some on my list that some of you would put at the back of the crates or at the bottom of the pile. :D

On another note, I can't believe I omitted Incognito's "On The Road" (must have totally slipped my mind). This was probably the one track I couldn't wait to get my hands on.

[ December 12, 2003, 04:07 PM: Message edited by: Mike Johnson ]

[sammyrock]

Great list Mike.I would like to hear a set or two with all these nice tracks.Have a Blessed day. smile.gif