Top 20 Chart of 2003

It's that time again! Well here is a list of the top 20 tracks of the year in my opinion with comments added below. All the usual stuff like favourite labels/producers/DJs of the year are also listed too. 2003 has been amazing for me what with going off to University and also finally having my first track pressed up with more on the way. Plus the fact that the year has seen me write for a fair amount of publications and also co-host a radio show which has been quite a laugh. There have been many amazing nights out over the past 12 months too! Happy days..

Right anyway here's the chart, as usual it's been the 20 tracks that have stood out the most in the year for me and made me go "That's Amazing!!!" so there are some surprising ones in here!

T R A N C E / T E C H N O C H A R T:
01. DJ Choose Presents That Mucho - "Release Me" [Drizzly]
Definitely the stand out track of the year for me with it's dark, nasty synth riff yet uplifting side at the same time. Fantastic!!

02. Digital Pressure - "Unreal" [Project Five]
Anything these two have produced all year has near enough received full marks from myself and this is by far the best. The day it arrived I was leaping around my room to it while playing it at home.

03. Marcos + J K Walker - "Night Finder" [Active Media]
Those two have been on form this year without a doubt! This is the track that kick started it for them in my opinion. A dark riff to it but such a pounding track, this one is lush!

04. Dumonde - "God Music" [Bulletproof]
This was out last year but the UK release happened this year with some top remixes. The riff on this is so lush it defies belief!! Love it!

05. AM Truck - "AM Truck" [GAS Europe]
This one is so dark and nasty yet I love it to bits. Mental Techno track from GAS who again have provided quality release after release throughout 2003!

06. De Progression - "Dispersion" [Limit]
Scott Mac's breakbeat inducing trancer is the perfect set opener. A really uplifting track with amazing strings and quality vocals. Definitely one to make you smile!

07. Paul Van Dyk - "For An Angel (J K Walker Mix)" [W/L]
I was a bit dubious as to whether this was Jay Walker at first but it definitely is. To be honest I'll probably get slated but I prefer this to the original by loads!

08. Powerpoint - "Whajamaster" [Hotwaxx Traxx]
This techno fuelled stomper was surprisingly produced by Ingo. Consisting solely of percussion and a few spoken vocals this is chaos on a record. But I love it to bits...!

09. Cyber Steve + The Pranksterz - Your Mind Is Mine [Snap + Crackle]
Cyber Steve has produced in my opinion one of the Techno tracks of the year in this one! Excellent vocals being cut up and loads of wonderful percussion and FX all over the place. Also check out the break! Wicked!!!

10. Blyant + Tusch - "Hell Fire" [W/L]
This was also out last year but I've played it to death this year as well. Fantastic Hard Trancer sampling "I am the God of Hellfire" - such a quality riff to it too.

11. High Voltage - "Bombs Away" [SYS-X]
This is so hard yet such a fantastic track. Literally crushes the speaker before your very eyes. With its amazing "Acieeed" vocal and extremely loud kick I rate this track loads.

12. Genlog - "Mockmoon (Erik Vee Mix)" [Go For It!]
Another surprising find, Erik Vee turns this classic into a hard trance belter with some quality percussion and effective stabs that work oh so well. What a track!!!

13. System F - "Spaceman" [Tsunami Special Blend]
The Matti Laamanen mix is what this one's all about, with a riff similar to "Diving Faces", this uplifting belter is

14. Marzz - "Orbiter" [Detox]
This little hypnotic wonder has been cained by everyone from Matt Hardwick all the way up to Guffy !! Everything on Detox this year deserves full marks such a wonderful label.

15. Jon Doe Feat M-Experience - "Rock Your Body" [Honeypot]
I could have told you this would go in my chart of year before hearing it. Jon Doe reworking one of my all time favourite tunes and it sounds so good!!! Such a riff, this should in all fairness be huge!

16. Global Cee - "Burnin" [Druck]
Druck have been consistent this year with their releases, even though they've only had a few! Kan Cold delivers such a riff that blows you away on top of female vocals. Definitely got me burning up!

17. DJ Ultra - "Prisoners Of Ecstasy" [Ne+Ultra]
From my label mate DJ Ultra comes this blinding production which both mixes left me open jawed and stunned. Digital Pressure one just edges it for me but it's still definitely worth caining the life out of both of them.

18. Leigh Green + L-E-V8 - "The Way" [Distructiv]
I've only known the two Northern Beys for a couple of months yet they have produced some of the most uplifting trance throughout the year for me. The Way is such an anthem in the making and these two should be huge in 2004 without a doubt!

19. Jon The Baptist - "Time Machine" [Future Sound Corporation]
Time Machine is by far the best thing Future Sound Corporation have ever released in my opinion, with it's hard riff and general poundingness!! Jon's been on form this year and in 2004 things will be promising for him, this is lush!

20. Billy Daniel Bunter + Jon Doe - "Round And Round" [Honeypot]
The vocals on this track are so fine especially when the riff comes in too. I know that's vague description but this track really does it for me, such a mental track. Honeypot have proved their worth loads this year!

Other Notable Mentions for the year:
S.@.D - "Dinero" [Fakten]
Bas Van Veen - "Lockdown" [Substantial]
E-Nrg + Carbon Based - "Illuminate" [Electrolysis]
Marcos + J K Walker - "Day Keeper" [Active Media]
Wavetraxx - "Das Boot 2003 Remixes" [Planet Traxx]
Steven Renes - "Fine Beat" [Altitude Blue]
R.O.O.S - "Instant Moments Remixes" [Platipus Euro]
Dymos - "Defending / The Unexpected" [Moun10]
Colin Barrett - "You Know" [Retek]
Freeloader - "Pure Devotion" [Big Star]
Numbskulls - "Flasher" [Sectioned]
Compound - "Waverunner" [Resistance]
Ado The Dream - "Roll Of Bass" [GAS Europe]
Jon The Baptist - "Transynergy" [Sectioned]
Mauro Picotto - "New Time New Place" [Primate]
Billy Daniel Bunter + Jon Doe - "Atomic" [UK Hard]
Dallas Superstars - "Helium" [All Around The World]
Jay Sanders vs P.R.O-Ton - "Interference" [De Novo]
K90 - "Dreamer" [Recover]
Digital Pressure - "Digital Theory" [Active Media]
K.O.T.O - "Blow The Whistle" [GAS Europe]
DJ Ultra + Louk - "Forever" [Ne+Ultra] (of course!!!)

Favourite Labels of 2003: Ne+Ultra / Active Media / GAS Europe / UK Hard / Detox / SYS-X / Snap + Crackle / Drizzly / Distructiv

Favourite Producers of 2003: Digital Pressure / Marcos / Jon The Baptist / Jon Doe / Leigh Green + L-E-V8 / Scott Mac

Favourite DJs of 2003: Chris Davies + Dr J / Nick The Kid / Jon Doe / Petrae Foy / Simon Eve / Tom Costelloe / Abyss / Will Gold[/u]