It's the end of the music industry as we know it as we head toward the millennium. Sales continue to slump while MTV broadcasts played-out, reality-based programs and Jennifer Love Hewitt specials -- with few members of the rock-critic cognoscenti noticing the connection. While Internet technology and recordable CDs are making it increasingly possible to skip retail outlets altogether, record companies continue to throw alternative "baby bands" and electronic acts against the wall to see what sticks. Hip-hop remains king of the hill on the pop charts, but swing, ska and Marilyn Manson seem to be running out of steam by year's end. With no burgeoning musical movement ready to come to the forefront, it's anybody's guess what will rise to the top in 1999. Klezmer-core, anyone?
Rich Thompson, promoter
1. Creeper Lagoon, "I Become Small & Go" (Nickelbag)
2. Massive Attack, "Mezzanine" (Virgin)
3. The Promise Ring, "Nothing Feels Good" (Jade Tree)
4. Built to Spill, "Perfect From Now On" (Warner Bros.)
5. Ween, "Mollusk" (Elektra)
6. Nutrajet, "Nutrajet" (Disarraygun)
7. Elliott Smith, "XO" (Dreamworks)
8. Hum, "Downward is Heavenward" (RCA)
9. Tortoise, "TNT" (Thrill Jockey)
10. Bring Back Joel, "Deep Within the Irrational Behavior Ward" (Pain=Funny)
DJ Medusa, WPRK-FM (91.5) (midnight-2 a.m. Tuesday)
1. Various Artists, "Ant.hology" (Ant Zen)
2. Snog, "Buy Me. ... I'll Change Your Life" (Metropolis)
3. Wumpscut, "Born Again" (Metropolis) 4. Leaether Strip, "Yes I'm Limited Vol. III" (Metropolis)
5. Apoptygma Beserk, "Mourn EP" (Tatra)
6. Noisex, "Ignarrogance" (Ant Zen)
7. Haujobb, "Matrix" (Metropolis)
8. B-TON-K, "SemiHum@nBeing" (Mental Ulcer Forges)
9. Merzbow, "Tauromachine" (Release)
10. Skinny Puppy, "Remix Dys Temper" (Nettwerk)
Billy Manes, music journalist
1. Pulp, "This Is Hardcore" (Island)
2. Neil Finn, "Try Whistling This" (Work)
3. Jeff Buckley, "Sketches for My Sweetheart the Drunk" (Columbia)
4. The Mysteries of Life, "Come Clean" (RCA)
5. Madonna, "Ray of Light" (Maverick/WB)
6. James Iha, "Let It Come Down" (Virgin)
7. R.E.M., "Up" (Warner Bros.)
8. Cher, "Believe" (Warner Bros.)
9. Manic Street Preachers, "This is My Truth Tell Me Yours" (Epic UK)
10. Jesus and Mary Chain, "Munki" (Sub Pop)
DJ Robby Clark, Southern Nights/Underground Record Source
1. Danny Tenaglia, "Tourism" (Twisted)
2. Stardust, "Music Sounds Better with You 12" (Roulé)
3. Deborah Cox, "Things Just Ain't the Same 12" (Arista)
4. Madonna, "Ray of Light 12" (Maverick)
5. Crystal Method, "Comin' Back 12" (Twisted)
6. Petra & Co., "Just Let Go 12" (Lifting Cars)
7. Billy Hendrix, "Body Shine 12" (KS Limited)
8. Trixster, "Move On Up 12" (AM:PM)
9. Agnelli & Nelson, "El Nino 12" (Xtravaganza)
10. Hans, "Meet Her at the Love Parade 12" (Twisted)
Jeff Hogan, owner, d.i.y. records
1. Blackhead, "Unfantastic Four"(Flat Broke)
2. Malefactors, "Three Chords and the Truth" (Punncrock)
3. Fortitude, "Old Ethics" (self-released)
4. Various artists, "Spirit of '99" (N/A)
5. Reno Divorce, "All Throttle No Bottle 7" (Skanking Skull)
6. Templars, "1118-1312" (Soundviews/GoKart)
7. Pressure, "Harcore Roots" (Uprising)
8. Agnostic Front, "Something's Gotta Give" (Epitaph)
9. Dropkick Murphys, "Do or Die" (Epitaph)
10. Inspecter 7/Skoidats, "Boots and Suits" (Radical)
Sandra Carrasquillo, public relations, WONQ-AM (1030)
1. Elvis Crespo, "Suavemente" (Sony)
2. Marc Anthony, "Contra La Corriente" (BMG)
3. Alejandro Fernandez, "Me Estoy Enomorado" (Sony)
4. Ricky Martin, "Vuelve" (Sony)
5. Giberto Santa Rosa, "De Corazon" (Sony)
6. Oro Solido, "La Paleta" (14 K Records)
7. Fuera De Liga, "Pura Energia" (Fonovisa)
8. Victor Manuelle, "Ironias" (Sony)
9. Grupo Mania, "Alto Honor" (Sony)
10. Gisselle, "A Que Veulve" (BMG)
Matt Kelemen, arts editor, Orlando Weekly
1. Otis Redding, "Dreams to Remember: The Anthology" (Rhino)
2. DJ Spooky, "Riddem Warfare" (Oupost)
3. Massive Attack, "Mezzanine" (Virgin)
4. Eric B. and Rakim, "Paid in Full: The Platinum Edition" (Island)
5. Q-Burns Abstract Message, "Feng Shui" (Astralwerks)
6. Sunny Day Real Estate, "How It Feels to Be Something On" (Sub Pop)
7. Ozomatli, "Ozomatli" (Almo Sounds)
8. Willie Nelson, "Teatro" (Island)
9. Various Artists, "Volume 3 (1965-1975): Acoustic Waves" (Island)
10. UNKLE, "Psyence Fiction" (Mo' Wax)
Shayni Howen, co-owner, Sapphire Supper Club
1. Jeff Buckley, "Sketches for My Sweetheart the Drunk" (Columbia)
2. Gomez, "Bring It On" (Hut)
3. Maxwell, "Embrya" (Columbia)
4. Ozomatli, "Ozomatli" (Almo Sounds)
5. Dag, "Apartment 635" (Columbia)
6. Lenny Kravitz, "5" (Virgin)
7. Liquid Liquid, "Re-issue" (Grand Royal)
8. The Mayfield Four, "Fallout" (Epic)
9. John Scofield, "A Go Go" (Verve)
10. Rufus Wainwright, "Rufus Wainwright" (Dreamworks)
Malik Bin Mujahid, MC, Da Few
(In no particular order)
1. Outkast, "Aquemini" (La Face)
2. Lauryn Hill, "The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill" (Ruffhouse)
3. Common, "One Day It'll All Make Sense" (Relativity)
4. Public Enemy, "He Got Game" (Def Jam)
5. A Tribe Called Quest, "The Love Movement" (Jive)
6. Brand Nubian, "Foundation" (Elektra)
7. Goodie Mob, "Still Standing" (La Face)
8. Black Eyed Peas, "Behind the Front" (Interscope)
9. Gang Starr, "Moment of Truth" (Noo Trybe)
10. Mos Def & Talib Kweli, "Blackstar" (Rawkus)
Matt Gorney, Civic-Minded Five
1. Iannis Xenakis, "Electronic Music" (EMF)
2. Lambchop, "What Another Man Spills" (Merge)
3. Philius, "Tetra" (Säkho)
4. Bob Dylan, "Live 1966" (Columbia)
5. Ben Goldberg, "Twelve Minor" (Avant)
6. Cecil Taylor, "Tree of Life" (FMP)
7. Elliott Smith, "XO" (DreamWorks)
8. Annie Gosfield, "Burnt Ivory & Loose Wires" (Giant Step)
9. Rova, "Bingo" (Vitro)
10. Tom Ze, "Com Defeito De Fabricacno" (Luaka Bop)
Dan Fuller, music journalist
1. Swervedriver, "99th Dream" (Zero Hour)
2. Jesus and Mary Chain, "Munki" (Sub Pop)
3. Lord Runningclam, "Fun for the Whole Family" (Bottom Heavy)
4. Q-Burns Abstract Message, "Feng Shui" (Astralwerks)
5. Love and Rockets, "Lift" (Red Ant)
6. Mot, "Monster Breaks" (FFRR/London)
7. Nutrajet, "Nutrajet" (Disarraygun)
8. Curve, "Come Clean" (Universal)
9. 88 Fingers Louie, "Back on the Streets" (Hopeless)
10. BT, "ETCM" (Reprise)
