Confessions of a music lover (Top 10 Albums)

Member Name: little devil

Product:	Top 10 Albums
Date:	18/07/01 (338 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Hours of music that are suited for every occasion and I never get sick of, Music is the stuff life is made of, without it I would be lost, these albums are what I would class as great and timeless music pieces I can listen to over and over again

Disadvantages: I can only listen to one at once, Costly to buy them all and replace them when something happens to them, but in the end worth it

I wrote an opinion on my top 10 films and got the taste for writing stuff like that, so when I came across this category I was quite happy to have a nosy around and then decided to write my very own op. This is what I have intended to do, now be warned I can feel a long op coming on so you may need a couple of matchsticks to hold your eyes open.

I have a very diverse taste in music, although I love dance music and this is my passion I do listen to a lot of other stuff and so was sat here thinking how I could possibly narrow down all the albums in the world to just 10. That’s when I decided to do it be sections, you will see what I mean as we progress through my rambling, but like any true lover of music I listen to all sorts of different things and like even more!

When reading my list you will have to take into account that I am only a spring chicken and a lot of my choices (well nearly all of them) are very recent and I don’t think there is one before the 1980’s. I did contemplate adding an entry from the ‘Carpenters’ but another alum just beat it into the list. Unfortunately some of the albums in the list are a few years old and so may not be got hold of easily, or at a cost, I know a couple are a little expensive in HMV, or have to be ordered specially.

What makes a great album…?
Well this is difficult, and no doubt varies from person to person. I find that what I class as a truly exceptional album offers me an emotional outlet, and escape from my normal run of the mill day and the ability to please me every time I listen to it. Some albums can get a little trying after a few listens, but for me the best don’t, if anything they get better with age.

There is so much music in the world today and with all the choice I feel we are spoilt and the standard of music is going down hill, not that everything is rubbish, but there is a lot of tripe out there. For this reason I like to c
arefully consider an album, or artist, before I commit myself to an album and am unfortunately easily disappointed by some music.

I’ll try to make each bit about the separate albums as good as possible without going into a full review, otherwise we might be here all day, so here goes nothing…

…Dance

My heart belongs to the dance generation, I am one of the chemically enhanced, twisted hard house lovers who likes nothing more than spending their time in a smoky club with music killing off my hearing. Most dance albums now are compilations, but as you will see below there are great offerings by individual DJ’s. Even though you wouldn’t associate the dance scene with being that old it is, it’s just now been commercialised and got big, so a word of advice – avoid anything too commercial and cheesy (like the ‘Fragma’ album!).

10. FAT OF THE LAND, Prodigy…
The last offering we have had by the excellent Prodigy, who are signed to Madonna’s very own record label. This album offered everything that was hot at the time of its release, it is full of the electronic idea, with excellent tracks like ‘Minefields’, ‘Smack my bitch up’ and ‘Breathe’. A brilliant offering of pumping songs that will keep you entertained. Not up to the quality of the hard house now around but nether the less an album that everyone should have experienced, if only to experience the wonder of the Prodigy and their master mind Liam Howlett. Heavily influenced by punk, well so I think so anyway, it is a far cry from their previous offering, granted not as good, but still a fantastic and timeless album, with a wired front cover!

A truly moving and timeless album, full of brilliant tracks, each as good as the last and all of the same high standard.

Track listing…
1. Smack my bitch up
2. Breathe
3. Diesel power
4. Funky shit

5. Serial thriller
6. Mindfields
7. Naraya
8. Firestarter
9. Climbatize
10. Fuel my fire

Favourite Track – Firestarter.
Rating 9/10.
Extras – Contains bad language, you have been warned.

9. PLAY, Moby…
I am not really a fan of this man but I do like the album, the vocals on it are outstanding. I would recommend it if you want a dance album that is typical of the back end of the 20th century yet is mellow and not pumping. A strange addition for me but great for the laid back side of dance.

Best played through head phones or on your own with eyes shut.

Track listing…
1. Honey
2. Find my baby
3. Porcelain
4. Why Does my Heart Feel so Bad
5. Southside
6. Rushing
7. Bodyrock
8. Natural blues
9. Machete
10. 7
11. Run on
12. Down slow
13. If things were perfect
14. Ever loving
15. Inside
16. Guitar flute and string
17. Sky is broken
18. My Weakness

Favourite Track – Porcelain
Rating 8/10

8. BREAKDOWN: THE VERY BEST EUPHORIC CHILLOUT MIXES, Various…
A chill out, this is a slow dance album, which is honestly the best around. I wasn’t sure if to put this in but yes it is one of the best dance albums I have had the pleasure of listening to. I think that is due to it being a mellow album that you can sleep to, get ready to and just listen to at any time of day. Yet you will find it is still possible to dance to.

This is mixed very well and each song seems to merge as one, not each being separate. The choices of songs are simply inspirational and I defy anyone not to love this album. With my favourite song of last year ‘Silence’! Class and a half.

Track listing…
DISK 1
1. Wheat (theme from Gladiator) - Hans Zimmer and Lisa Gerrard
2. Jillanity - LSG
3. Singing for the future (original mix) - Agnelli and Nelson

4. Composure - Junk Project
5. Invisible (courtyard mix ambient dub) - Tilt (2)
6. From Russia with love (Alaska remix) - Matt Darey and DSP
7. Everytime (Way Out West sunrise mix) - Lustral
8. Awakening (mellow mix) - York
9. Love stimulation (Michael Woods remix) - Humate
10. Seven days and one week - BBE
11. Higher than the sun - Primal Scream
12. First cool hive - Moby
13. Cafe Del Mar (Michael Woods remix) - Energy 52
14. Greece 2000 (Moonwatcher's sea of tranquility remix) - Three Drives
15. Galaxia (Eliot J remix) - Moonman
16. Sister Bliss (Alaska's blissed out mix) - Sister Bliss
17. Seven cities (ambient dub) - Solar Stone
18. Deadline (Moonwatcher's dead calm remix) - Dutch Force
19. Synaesthesia (fly away) (Alaska's sunset mix) - Thrillseekers and Sheryl Deane

DISK 2
20. Silence (Michael Wood's remix) - Delerium
21. Anomaly (Solar Stone chillout version) - Libra and Taylor
22. Sweetness (Katcha remix) - Xstasia
23. Drifting away - Faithless
24. My soul is at the end of the universe - Rados
25. Barber's adagio for strings (excerpt from original version) - William Orbit
26. Saltwater (Thrillseekers remix) - Chicane
27. Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence (Astro Heavenly remix) - Watergate
28. Age of loneliness (Jam & Spoon remix) - Enigma
29. 9pm (till I come) (Bent remix) - ATB
30. Deliver me (original mix) - Sister Bliss and John Martyn
31. Baja - Sasha
32. Teardrop - Massive Attack
33. Touch me (Doubble 99 12" club mix) - Rui Da Silva
34. Poison (environmental science dub mix) - Prodigy
35. Song of life (lemon interrupt mix) - Leftfield
36. Supernatural (ambient mix) - Madagascar
37. You're not alone - Olive
38. Go (Jam & Spoon in dub mix) - Moby

Favourite Track – Silence.
Rating – 9/10.
Extras – Great for the insomniac.

7. BACK TO MIN
E, Nick Warren…
Nick Warren is one of the greatest DJ’s around, no question, and this is a fabulous album. His Global Underground selection is so good I couldn’t pick just one. This album is one of his more chilled and perfect for unwinding after a banging night out. A first for the great man and a masterpiece. It deals with the down tempo dance tracks and he does so spectacularly. This is spine tingly stuff and I promise will not disappoint.

One of the more mellow of his albums, but one of the best.

Track listing…
1. The Mission - Sequencial
2. Warmth Reheated - Tailsmantra
3. This Way – Skanna
4. This Love – Craig Armstron
5. Autumn Leaves – Coldcut
6. Go – Moby
7. Wormhole – Glide
8. Gutaris Breeze – John Beltram
9. Spiritual Technology – Symbiosis
10. Past – Sub Sub
11. La Cahtte Rouge – Affaires a Faire
12. Part-y-time – Gianni Marchetti
Space Van - Glide

Favourite Track – The Mission.
Rating 10/10.
Extras – great, uncluttered album cover.

6. BACK TO MINE, Danny Tenaglia
Yes that’s right this has the same title as the above by Mr. Warren. This is along the same lines, a mellow club mix which is cool but not full of pumping dance tunes. This brings out his chilled out side but still remains as fantastic as the rest of his work. Like the above just great. This is reality but it feels like a sublime dream.

Yet another must have.

Track listing…
1. Rhythm of life - Oleta Adams
2. Running away – Roy Ubiquity Ayers
3. To the sea - Yello
4. Bang bang you're mine - Bang The Party
5. Only you - Kimara Lovelace
6. Aquarius - Saucerman
7. Loft in paradise - Danny Tenaglia
8. OOne note samba - Sergio Mendes
9. Spanish flea - Sergio Mendes
10. Minty - Outside
11. Keep on walkin' R
11; Ce Ce Peniston
12. Cairo - Crescendo
13. Les Kidnappers - Marc Collins
14. Beau mot plage - Isolee
15. Plan - Outside

Favourite track – Loft in Paradise.
Rating 9/10.
Extras – Great stuuf!

5. GATECRASHER RED, Various…
Well from one of the best clubs in the country this is a fantastic album which is greatly mixed. All the songs are the best of the time of release, with big club classics, and the up and coming songs of the time. One of the best dance compilation albums I own and the greatest released in 1999 and by Gatecrasher. Still one of my favourites in this day and age, even though the songs are a little old, can’t be touched by the newest and latest big club albums.

Should be listened to for the brilliant mixing.

Track listing…
DISK 1
1. When I Grow Up - Garbage
2. (You Got Me) Burning Up - Cevin Fisher
3. Can't Get Enough - Soulsearcher
4. Praise You - Fatboy Slim
5. Unity - Orkidea
6. Stella - Jam & Spoon
7. I.C.E. 794 - HH
8. Clarkness - Dave Kane
9. Wide Eyed Angel - Origin
10. 9PM (Till I Come) - ATB
11. Revelation - Electrique Boutique
12. Turn Me On - Danny Tenaglia
13. Happiness Happening – Lost Witness
14. Children - Robert Miles
15. Forever - Ron Hagen
16. Messages - Solange
17. Pearl River -Jonny Shaker
18. Moonflight - Green Court
19. Pulverturm - Niels Van Gogh
20. Transcend - Cascade
21. Love Stimulation - Humate
22. The World '99 - Pulp Victim

DISK 2
1. Odyssey - Inflexion
2. Hear You Calling - Aurora
3. Atmospheres - Kayestone
4. My Dreams Will Come True - Summer Spirit
5. Save the Whales - Silent Harmony
6. The Living Dream - Sundance
7. Touched by God - Catcha
8. The Sun Is Shining - Technique
9. Firewalk - Basic Avalon
10. Kiss the Sound - Pulsedriver IV
11. Vision Control - Marino
Stephano
12. After the Meteor - Phrenetic System
13. Theme from Norefiell - DJ Tiesto
14. Suspicious Love - Basic Avalon
15. Gouryella - Gouryella
16. Feel the Pressure - Signum
17. Paradise - Fridge
18. Liberta - Lovechild

Favourite Track – Happiness Happening.
Rating 9/10.
Extras – Great cover and inlay extras.

4. MUSIC FOR THE GILTED GENERATION, Prodigy…
My second choice from the Essex boys, and this is a fabulous album; there is no other way to describe it. This is true brilliance and even though not the modern type of dance a classic even by today’s standards. This is not one just for the dance music lover, or the Prodigy fan, this album is spiritual and will move you. There are slower tracks, like ‘Poison’ and the more upbeat. All in all great listening, the boys seemed to have stuck gold and could do no wrong with this album. A pure dance album, not for the faint hearted but so good, I promise.

Prodigy undoubtedly at their best, nothing they could do would match this.

Track listing…
1. Intro
2. Break and enter
3. Their law
4. Full throttle
5. Voodoo people
6. Speedway
7. Heat
8. Poison
9. No good
10. One love
11. 3 kilos
12. Skylined
13. Claustrophobic sting

Favourite Track – A difficult one to call, but Their Law.
Rating 10/10.
Extras – They did a video to go with the release of this, take a look at it, it’s really good.

3. DIRT CHAMBER SESSIONS, Liam Howlett…
This is Mr. Howlett’s offering of a mix/compilation album, which will please. To some it seems like he has chosen a little of a lot of songs and stuck them together but this is not so. This is the best album I have heard in a long time and possibly the best in the year it was released. Unfortunately it was not publicised a lot and many people over looked it, not reali
sing the guineas that lay behind it.

It contains music from different eras and styles, but shows this man at his best and definitely back to his roots. Simply superb.

Track listing…
1. Intro/Tonto's Release/Untitled/Kool Keith Housing Things/Sport/Give The - Rasmus
2. Bug Powder Dust/Pump Me up/How High/Poison/Been Caught Stealing/I Get W – Bomb The Bass
3. Best Part of Breaking up/King Kut/Hey Can You Relate - Chemical Brothers
4. Funky Acid Makossa/What Time Is Love/Shafted off/And the Break Goes Aga – KLF
5. New York/Punk to Funk/I’m Sick – Sex Pistols
6. The Home of Hip-Hop/Strong Island/Kowalski/Time to Get Ill/I'm Gonna Lo - D.S.T
7. Get Down/Humpty Dance/Dope on Plastic/Beats and Pieces/Sure Shot - LL Cool J
8. Breakdance Electric Boogie/Doomsday of Rap/Ozone Breakdown/Funky Nash 4 - West Street Mob

Favourite Track – don’t know really.
Rating 10/10
Extras – Liam Howlett’s first offering since the Prodigy’s Fat of the Land and what an offering!

2. IMA, BT…
This was only just pushed to the number 2 slot, it is one of the finest dance albums you will ever have the pleasure of coming across, with an offering mixed by Sasha that lasts over 40 minutes. This is truly an out of this world experience. Although there are only 5 tracks this is one of the best albums in the world, please do not be put off by it and give it a go. This is something that takes some beating and will always have a place in my heart.

Do not miss out on this one, perfect for everything, dance and mellow.

Track listing…
1. Quark
2. Nocturnal transmission
3. Sasha's voyage of ima
4. Tripping the light fantastic
5. Divinity

Favourite Track – with out a doubt Sasha’s voyage of ima.
Rating 10/10.
Extras – this is perfect for meditation.

1. NORTHERN EXPOS
URE, Sasha and Digweed…
No words could ever do justice to this album, from start to end this is perfection, never will you hear anything like it. Yes I love Sasha and so may be biased but this is the best thing I have ever heard. The first in the /northern Exposure lot I am referring to here, the rest are good but do not match up, and nothing could.

I don’t know what to say and cannot recommend this enough to you, everyone should listen to this if nothing else I their life, this will help any mood and I promise will move you like noting else. A timeless classic that is worth every penny it costs and more.

Track listing…
1. Satellite Serenade – Suzuki, Keiichi
2. Cascade – Future Sound of Lon
3. These Waves – Young American Prim
4. Raincry – God Within
5. Out of Body Experience – Rabbit in the Moon
6. I'm Free - King, Morgan
7. Ultraviolet - Kites
8. Obsession - Fuzzy Logic
9. Water from a Vine Leaf - Orbit, William
10. Liquid Cool/Deep Forest Ice Cold [Equator Mix] - Apollo 440
11. Last Train to Lhasa - Banco De Gaia

Favourite Track – not possible to pick one.
Rating 11/10.
Extras – sheer perfection, the best album in the world.

…Pop/Other
In this day and age we cannot escape the claws of the pop music industry, I am not a huge fan of this kind of music but I do have some albums I like, so here goes, 10 of the ‘best’ albums of a not so good type of music.

10. HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, Original London Cast
Well what an album to kick off with, not really something I boast about too much but this is a great album. The Phantom of the Opera is a great opera and I couldn’t resist the album. I suppose it’s because I grew up listening to this kind of thing, but this is good, although not really fitting to my ‘image’, so don’t go telling
everyone!

I always get singing along and love listening to this.

Track listing…
Overture
Think of Me
Angel of Music
The Mirror
The Phantom of the Opera
The Music of the Night
Prima Donna
All I ask of you
Reprise
Entr’acte
Masquerade
Wishing you were Somehow Here Again
The Point of No Return
Down Once More…/Track Down this Murderer

Favorite Track – Wishing you were Somehow Here Again.
Rating 8/10.
Extras – be warned it is opera!

9. ABBAMANIA, Various
I am not a fan of Abba, but I do strangely like to listen to this. It is just easy listening and great for the type of mood when I cannot be bothered. I don’t know what to say about it really, it is cheesy music with cheesy bands singing, yet it is quite good.

The bands that sing the songs are all big in the world of pop music and so this has appeal to all generations.

Track listing…
1. Money, Money, Money - Madness
2. Lay All Your Love on Me – Steps
3. I Have a Dream – Westlife
4. Chiquitita – Stephen Gately
5. Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! – Denise Van Outen
6. Voulez Vous – Culture Club
7. Mamma Mia – Martine McCutcheon
8. Dancing Queen – S Club 7
9. I Know Him So Well – Steps
10. Does Your Mother Know – B*Witched
11. The Winner Takes It All – The Corrs
12. Thank Abba For the Music – Steps, Cleopatra, B*Witched, Billie and Tina Cousins

Favourite Track – I Know Him So Well.
Rating 8/10.
Extras – Cheese.

8. WESTLIFE, Westlife…
The debut album for the Irish lads, it is full of ballads. I find this album good for when I am a little down, and it is the fault of men, and feel emotional. Having said this I have found myself crying over some of the songs, when I am in that kind of mood. Full of love songs, wh
ich are great for seduction, and being alone.

It is a pity that they are so much of a boy band and didn’t experiment with their music, it is all one kind of song, with a very similar tune, but I like it for some reason.

Track listing…
1. Swear it again
2. If I let you go
3. Flying without wings
4. Fool again
5. No no
6. I don't wanna fight
7. Change the world
8. Moments
9. Season in the sun
10. I need you
11. Miss you
12. More than words
13. Open your heart
14. Try again
15. What I want is what I've got
16. We are one
17. Can't lose what you never had

Favourite Track – I don’t wanna fight.
Rating 8/10
Extras – for the lovey dovey people.

7. USE YOUR ILLUSSION (Vol 1), Guns n Roses…
This is the first of two parts, and frankly the better of them. A hard rock album this is at the roots of the band. This is a fabulous album from the group, but is an acquired taste. Some brilliant songs, but there are a couple of wired ones. Works for me and I certainly like listening to it.

Track listing…
1. Right Next Door to Hell
2. Dust n Bones
3. Live and Let Die
4. Don't Cry
5. Perfect Crime
6. You ain’t the First
7. Bad Obsession
8. Back off Bitch
9. Double Talkin’
10. November Rain
11. The Garden
12. Garden of Eden
13. Don’t Damn Me
14. Bad Apples
15. Dead Horses
16. Coma

Favourite Track – November Rain
Rating 8/10.
Extras – comes in two parts.

6. I’VE BEEN EXPECTING YOU, Robbie Williams…
Another addition to my CD collection which I am not overly proud of, but I do like to listen to. I find that whilst some of the songs do not ‘do it’ for me there are certain ones which just seem to get better and better. Hence why it is on my list. For me his best
solo album, a very talented young man and this does shown in the album. I don’t like him, but he can sing, and well I just like this, give it a go and don’t be put off by his arrogance and attitude.

Track listing…
1. Strong
2. No Regrets
3. Millennium
4. Phoenix from the flames
5. Win some lose some
6. Grace
7. Jesus in a camper van
8. Heaven from here
9. Karma killer
10. She's the one
11. Man machine
12. These dreams
13. Stand your ground
14. Stalker's day off

Favourite Track – No regrets
Rating 9/10.

5. NEVERMIND, Nirvana…
Well what can I say, this is a class album and no one is ever going to deny that, I am unsure about it’s position, maybe it should be a little higher, but this is a brilliant and timeless classic. What more can I say? The group was massive and this album exemplifies their talent and their views. This will blow you away, no doubt and I have to say it is fantastic. With great rifts and songs that inspired a generation.

Track listing…
1. Smells Like Teen Spirit
2. In Bloom
3. Come as You Are
4. Breed
5 Lithium
6. Polly
7. Territorial Pissings
8. Drain You
9. Lounge Act
10. Stay Away
11. On a Plain
12. Something in the Way

Favorite Track – Come as you are.
Rating 9/10
Extras – cute and lovely album cover, with the baby swimming!

4. PERFORMANCE AND COCKTAILS, Stereophonics…
This is a fantastic listen and I like to lay down and go to sleep whilst listening. Some of the songs are a little ‘heavier’ and more upbeat than others but each is as good as the last. I find this great listening, every single time and never tire of it. Of a great standard something for everyone, with different moods and attitudes.

This catapulted the band into the lime light and not before time as well.


Track listing…
1. Roll up and Shine
2. Bartender and the Thief
3. Hurry up and Wait
4. Pick a Part that’s New
5. Just Looking
6. Half the lies you tell me ain't true
7. I wouldn't believe your radio
8. T-shirt sun tan
9. Is yesterday tomorrow today
10. Minute longer
11. She takes her clothes off
12. Plastic California
13. I stopped to fill my car up

Favourite Track – She takes her clothes off.
Rating 10/10.
Extras – Singer has a fabulous voice.

3. MARSHALL MATHERS, Eminem…
The bad boy of the music industry has real talent, and this album showcases this to perfection. With songs about killing his girlfriend, on how to give a blow job and other twisted stuff this is not for the faint hearted. One of the best albums I have had the pleasure of listening to it is first class stuff. Don’ be put off by his reputation or the language, personally I feel it adds to the songs and gives them a deeper and real meaning.

One for the adults, but do not miss out on it.

Track listing…
1. Public Service Announcement
2. Kill You
3. Stan
4. Paul
5. Who Knew
6. Steve Berman
7. Why I Am
8. Real Slim Shady
9. Remember Me
10. I’m Back
11. Marshall Mathers
12. Ken Kaniff
13. Drug Ballad
14. Amityville
15. Bitch Please (Part 2)
16. Kim
17. Under The Influence
18. Criminal
19. Kids

Favourite Track – Stan.
Rating 10/10.
Extras – Explicit language!

2. (WHAT’S THE STORY) MORNING GLORY, Oasis…
The second album, and I was wondering how they would match their excellent debut, but they did and out stripped it in style. This is a timeless album, which I easy to listen to and will never bore you. Truly inspirational, with a lot of influence form the Beatles, but we know that anyway. Full of super songs and not
one which is a weak link, one of the best of the past few years.

Track listing…
1. Hello
2. Roll with it
3. Wonderwall
4. Don't look back in anger
5. Hey now
6. 6
7. Some might say
8. Cast no shadow
9. She's electric
10. Morning glory
11. 11
12. Champagne supernova

Favourite Track – Champagne Supernova.
Rating 10/10.
Extras – Like the cover and the inlay booklet.

1. RAY OF LIGHT, Madonna…
This woman is not to ever be underestimated, and this album is I feel her best. There is no way this could be done better by her, each song has a class of it’s own and it oozes the sophistication of the lady herself. It was a flash of brains to have William Orbit produce this album and she put herself right into the dance scene, with ‘Frozen’.

I cannot say how good this album is; you have to listen to it to appreciate it.

Track listing…
1. Drowned World/Substitute for Love
2. Swim
3. Ray of Light
4. Candy Perfume Girl
5. Skin
6. Nothing Really Matters
7. Sky Fits Heaven
8. Shanti/Ashtangi
9. Frozen
10. The Power of Goodbye
11. To Have and to Have Not
12. Little Star
13. Mer Girl

Favourite Track – Nothing Really matters.
Rating 10/10.
Extras – a brilliant come back album for the material girl.

…Albums of this Year

Well I felt the need to include this because there have been so many releases this year and well I have an opinion that most of them have been less than average in standard. Therefore I will give my top ones of this year so far, well 7 months into the year I can give a far assessment of those so far!

10. SURVIVOR, Destiny’s Child…
9. CLUBBERS GUIDE TO IBIZA 2001, Various
8. TRANCE NATION 2001, Various…
7. RISE, Gabrielle
6. HARD HOUSE SUPERSTARS, Public Domain…

5. JUST ENOUGH EDUCATION TO PERFORM, Stereophonics…
4. OUTROSPECTIVE, Faithless…
3. NO ANGEL, Dido…
2. HOT SHOT, Shaggy…
1. HYBRID THEORY, Linkin Park…

…The Ultimate Top 10
Well we are nearing the end of the opinion now and I am going to bring all of the above together and tell you about my top 10 of general music, not specific. They consist of those addressed above so I shall not review the album, just say a little about why I like it and why it has made it into my ultimate top 10! Except for the one, which I didn’t write about above, from this year, which I will write about first and then give explanation.

This was difficult to do, and you may find that some of the albums in the same genre are in a slightly different order, although this may seem a little stupid there is a reason. I am a person who doesn’t follow the rational and sensible way of things and find that when I put all the genres and albums together they come out a little different. This is because they are compared to each other, not just music in the same genre. If that makes any sense!

10. HOT SHOT, Shaggy…
A great offering from the man with that voice. This is a great listen and one that can be listened to on repeat and still enjoyed the next day. His voice beings the songs to life and they are good, listen to the words, if you can make them out!

Track listing…
1. Hot Shot
2. Lonely Lover
3. It Wasn’t Me
4. Freaky Girl
5. Leave it to Me
6. Angel
7. Hope
8. Keep It Real
9. Luv Me Luv Me
10. Not Fair
11. Hey Love
12. Why Me Lord?
13. Joy You Bring
14. Chica
15. Bonita
16. Dance and Shout
17. Why You Made At Me

Favourite Track – Angel.
Rating 10/10.

This had to make it into this list because it is so easygoing. I am not a big fan of Shaggy but there is something about th
is album. It is superior to many of the albums I own and has a little R&B flavour, which takes it into the dance type of category. This is maybe something to do with why it is here.

I find it a joy to listen to and would recommend it to anyone, Angel is by far the best song on the album.

I don’t know about timeless but I don’t bore of this and find that a lot of people like it, even if they are not a lover of this type of music. It almost has a slight ‘dirty’ feel to it, but maybe that’s just me.

9. MUSIC FOR THE GILTED GENERATION, Prodigy…
The greatest album from the lads, who live in Essex, this was before they got really big and the fame went to their head, or in Keith’s case made him do wild things to his hair. This album is brilliant, and there is no other word I can think of, except it is deep dance and well worth buying. A great addition to any CD collection.

Not for the faint at heart, this is an adrenaline pumping stuff, guaranteed to get the juices flowing.

8. PERFORMANCE AND COCKTAILS, Stereophonics…
One of the best albums of its year of release this has something for everyone. There are songs for all different kinds of moods, from the rock to the slow ballad type of song. This CD is constantly on, when I am not in a dance mood, and I like to shut my eyes and just take in the tunes.

Perfect for mellowing.

7. MORNING GLORY, Oasis…
A Beatles kind of album this doesn’t go far wrong. All songs are of a high standard and I love to listen to it. I have not listened to this is a while, but every now and then I keep finding it and getting re-aquatinted to the brilliance of the album. I go though stages but always come back to this offering.

6. GATECRASHER RED, Various…
Brilliantly mixed album that is perfect for me getting ready to go out, this is why it is plays in the CD player on a Friday and Satur
day night. Nothing gets me in the mood for a good night out than some classic songs that are well mixed.

Brilliance with some of the best songs of the past couple years on it.

5. MRSHALL MATHERS, Eminem…
Explicit language, controversial songs this man is a genius, no other way to describe him. I didn’t like the first album but this rocks! I suppose it is one you either love or hate with a passion no in-between, I love it. Give it a go, you will not be disappointed, yes the language is foul but somehow you don’t notice it and this album gets better each time I have a listen to it.

4. RAY OF LIGHT, Madonna…
Madonna has always been one of my favourite artists, so an album of hers was always going to make this list. It just happens that Ray of Light is her finest hour and is so diverse I can listen to it at any time, any place any mood. It appeals to all generations, my mother likes it too, and it a fantastic piece of pop!

3. DIRT CHAMBER SESSIONS, Liam Howlett…
This man is God, well second place only to the magnificent Sasha, and this album offers everything this boy is best at. He goes back to his roots to do some class mixing and produce an album of such high quality he has not yet backed it up. Every minute of this is a wonder in itself and it is not a stereotypical dance album either.

2. IMA, BT…
Purely for Sasha’s voyage of ima, this is a world class song that I defy anyone not to listen to and love. It is perfect for brining you out of yourself and meditation. I have heard of people getting lost in this song and I know how it is possible. The rest of the album is good but nothing can compare to this.

1. NORTHERN EXPOSURE, Sasha and Digweed…
What can I say that hasn’t already been said, do not miss this one, it is a poor man who has not witness the awe of these two men and this album. It is my favourite album of all time and i
t will take a lot to knock this one off the top spot. A dance chick at heart this pleases and transports me into another world whilst still getting me in the mood for a dance and the blood flowing and heart pumping like crazy.

You will be hard pushed to beat this, I promise.

…Conclusion
Well to end this I have discovered I have too much time on my hands, like music way too much and have an unhealthy obsession for Sasha. Oh and I seem to have CD’s sprawled all across my floor, best clean it up before the other half gets a little annoyed.

Now in seriousness this was difficult to write, as I like so much music, and I‘m sorry it went on so long, good on you if you are still awake. Music is what makes my world and I would be lost without it. I am not a really big album buyer; it has to be something special for me to pay out that cash in one go.

Music is the key to my soul, and dance music to my heart! Happy listening folks...

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