My top 5 of this year (2009)

Well according to my last.fm anyway.

1. Camille - Le Fil (2005)

This is no surprise to me as I just can't get enough of this album.

2. Animal Collective - Merriweather Post Pavillon (2009)

I think the cover says it all.
This is something to try.

1. In the Flowers
2. My Girls
3. Also Frightened 
4. Summertime Clothes
5. Daily Routine
6. Bluish 
7. Guys Eyes
8. Taste
9. Lion in a Coma 
10. No More Runnin
11. Brother Sport

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3. Doom - Born Like This
4. Madlib -  Beat Konducta Vol. 1-2: Movie Scenes

5. Feist - The Reminder (2007)

I'm surprised I didn't post this album before...

I didn't bother to listen to Feist before, because the only thing I knew from her was 1,2,3,4 and I didn't like this song at all. After listening to the album this is actually the song I like the less. I find the melody too simple and in my opinion , her voice doesn't really shine on this song compared to some others. So the lesson here is : first, not to judge a book by its cover and then always give a second chance to an artist. After a few years , who knows? Your taste might change.

1. So Sorry 
2. I Feel It All 
3. My Moon My Man 
4. The Park 
5. The Water 
6. Sealion 
7. Past in Present 
8. The Limit to Your Love 
9. 1234 
10. Brandy Alexander 
11. Intuition 
12. Honey Honey 
13. How My Heart Behaves 
14. Honey Honey [live]

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Happy New Year!

Parliament - Mothership Connection (1975)

The legendary fourth album from this collection of funky individuals led by the legendary leader George Clinton is an out of this world adventure for any listener. I am sure you will recognize instantly many of the songs that are famously sampled later on during the rise of G-Funk. However, to hear them in their original form really gives the listener an appreciation for Clinton's genius as a musician and how far ahead of their time this group really was with this release.

1. P-Funk (Wants To Get Funked Up)
2. Mothership Connection (Star Child)
3. Unfunky UFO
4. Supergroovalisticprosifunkstication
5. Handcuffs
6. Give Up The Funk (Tear The Roof Off The Sucker)
7. Night Of The Thumpasorus Peoples
8. Star Child (Mothership Connection) (Promo Radio Edit)

Link

Amazon

Suga Free - Street Gospel (1997)

This debut album from Suga Free is one of the more interesting and fun albums that I have ever heard come out of the west coast rap scene. Suga's unorthodox flow and style certainly make for an interesting experience. However, what really shines here is DJ Quik's continuing evolution in his music (this being released a year before Rhythm-al-ism). Quik, along with G-One & Robert "Fonksta" Bacon on a few tracks, drops some of the smoothest and most polished production on wax ever. Absolutely amazing album that mixes both interesting rapping and polished production perfectly.


1. Intro
2. Why U Bullshittin'?
3. I'd Rather Give You My Bitch
4. Doe Doe And A Skunk
5. Don't No Suckaz Live Here
6. Tip Tow
7. I Wanna Go Home (The County Jail Songs
8. If U Stay Ready
9. Fly Fo Life
10. On My Way
11. Secrets
12. Table Interlude
13. Dip Da
14. Tip Toe (Reprise)

Link

Amazon

Reggae Fridays - Toots & The Maytals - In The Dark (1974)

Classic Toots & The Maytals, although everything they made was pretty classic, this is one of my favorites.


1. Got To Be There
2. In The Dark
3. Having A Party
4. Time Tough
5. I See You
6. Take A Look In The Mirror
7. Take Me Home Country Roads
8. Fever
9. Love's Gonna Walk Out On Me
10. Revolution
11. 54-46 Was My Number
12. Sailing On

Amazon

Link

Reggae Fridays - King Tubby vs. Wu-Tang - Macro Dubplates Volume One

King Tubby dubs mixed with Wu-Tang vocals makes for an excellent reggae/hip hop mash up.

1. Intro
2. Brooklyn Battle Axe
3. Money Rules Everything Around Me
4. Method Man Meets Fat Man
5. Pinky Ring Brand New
6. Dubbing it Raw
7. Triumph Over Babylon
8. Criminology Movement
9. Earth Cries for the Grassroots

Link

Apollo Brown - Make Do (2009)

Why have I been sleeping on Apollo Brown? I ask myself this every time I listen to Make Do. Soulful beats, beautiful sampling and perfect loops and arrangement make this one of my favorites of the 2009. Do not sleep on this release even if you aren't a fan of beat tapes.

1. Intro - I Could Fly, Pt. 1
2. Mastermind
3. Another Mourning
4. Block Elements
5. To the Melody, With Love
6. 95 Fahrenheit
7. Apollo's Theme
8. The Monster
9. Got It All
10. Proven Guilty
11. Warm Rain
12. Sweeter Than Wine
13. Grandmother Earth
14. Helpless Dreamer
15. Flashbulbs
16. Cloudy Days
17. Interlude - I Could Fly, Pt. 2
18. The Machine
19. Early Morning
20. Lonely and Incomplete
21. Silent Ovation
22. Black Skies
23. My Plateau
24. Wednesday's Hurt
25. Friday's Child
26. Detroit Nights
27. Wildest Dreams
28. The Heir Show
29. Nosey Kids
30. Bright Black Sky
31. Gold Medal
32. A Faceless Few
33. Come Change
34. Sparkling In the Sand
35. The Door
36. Ups (Dressed In Brown)
37. Outro - I Could Fly, Pt. 3


iTunes MP3

Apollo Brown myspace

Link removed at artist's request.

Modill - Modill (2009)

Modill deserves props. Their debut Midnight Green is one of my favorite records ever for its self-conscious lyrics, and cannabis-induced atmosphere. The self-titled successor which you see here is an idiosyncratic LP that paints an abstract portrait of MC RacecaR. From start to finish, monsieur Domina brings you into his world where's he's constantly shifting between optimism, and self-doubt. Behind the lyrics K-Kruz produces a palette of experimental soul. It's more understated than the loud boom-bap on Midnight Green, and I think it really suits the change in style. This is one of the best albums of 09, don't miss out.

1. Back Once Again

2. One Track Mind

3. Heated Preposition

4. Lot A

5. Divinations & Devestations

6. All Access

7. Ticken

8. A Few Cents Short

9. Masterpiece

10. Miss Stess

11. Got Soul

12. Step

13. Reborn Tomorrow

Amazon

link

A Christmas Gift for You from Phil Spector (1963)

This is a little Christmas gift to all of you, for your holiday season. Pretty much the best composition of Christmas songs ever, this album is a classic Christmas masterpiece that should be bestowed upon every family for this blessed holiday. The album captures the amazing "Wall of Sound" of 1960s girl groups.

Also I just read this morning that the producer of this album, Phil Spector, killed some bitch in '03 and didn't actually get convicted of it until April of this year. Got like 18 years in prison at age 69 haha, "what an idiot!!" - (also please click that link cause it's hilarious)

1	White Christmas 2:55
2	Frosty the Snowman 2:19
3	The Bells of St. Mary / Bob B. Soxx & the Blue Jeans 2:58
4	Santa Claus Is Coming to Town 3:26
5	Sleigh Ride 3:04
6	Marshmallow World 2:25
7	I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus 2:40
8	Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer 2:33
9	Winter Wonderland 2:28
10	Parade of the Wooden Soldiers 2:57
11	Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) 2:49
12	Here Comes Santa Claus / Bob B. Soxx & the Blue Jeans 2:06
13	Silent Night 2:08

Amazon

Ebay

deepdiscountdvd

Barnes & Noble

Download

Mood - Doom (1997)

Consisting of production by DJ Hi-Tek and Jahson and lyricism by Donte, Main Flow, and an early Talib Kweli, Mood is a group with a sound that can easily be describes as eerie and ominous, while not sounding like horrorcore hip-hop. This is a must-have for any fans of underground hip-hop (and fans of my other posts). The words spoken are a bit apocalyptic and philosophical, and it might be a downer for some. But personally, I am amazed by this. Topics rapped about include religion/theology, politics, and other controversial topics, yet the way they speak on these things is not in the bash-you-on-the-head style that artists like Immortal Technique use.

This is sacred hip-hop. Do not pass this one up, take my word.

Tracklist

1. Esoteric Manuscripts
2. Info for the Streets
3. He is DJ Hi-Tek
4. Karm
5. The Vision
6. Tunnel Bound
7. Nuclear Hip-Hop
8. Another Day
9. Sacred - Pt.1
10. Peddlers of Doom
11. Millenium
12. Babylon the Great
13. Peace Infinity
14. Secrets of the Sand
15. Illuminated Sunlight
16. Industry Lies
17. No Ordinary Brother
18. Cincinatti

Amazon

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Various Artists - Reggae Crunk Sh*t Vol 9

Ok, I'm somewhat back with this mixtape I've been thinking of posting for a looong time but always forgot about ... It's a pretty nice mix of reggae / dancehall and some hip-hop.  Some songs are hits, some are misses but it's definitely something to try.

Intro - DJ Weedim

Yuh Nuh Bad Sound - Richie Riott

Suck Yuh Mumma - Shane

Bag A Noise - G Maffiah

Dung Inna Di Ghetto - Jah Knight   

I Can Shoot It Up - Wasp   

When We Rollin - Brooklan

Miss Fatty Fatty - Million Stylez  

Booty Meat - Soulja Boy  

Bee Sting - Jah Knight

Buy Your Own Damn Drinks - Beniton The Menace

White Tee (Remix DJ Weedim) - Dem Franchise Boys

Hey Bay Bay (Remix DJ Weedim) - Hurricane Chris

The Only Reason ft. Sizzla - Lil' Wayne

Big Dub - Richie Riott

Tipsy - Cutty Ranks

Screw Face - Wasp

We At War - Sheek Louch

What You Know ft. Jr.Reid - Phatz  

Hustler ft. Papa Reu & Elephand Man - Rick Ross

Kill Dem - Lantan

Brave - Smokey and Rampage

They Dont Care - Munga

Stands Firm - Turbulence

Bam Bam - Red Cafe Termanology and Mims

Roofs On Fire - Mad Buroy

Bad Man Place ft. Movado - Busy Signal   

No Apology - Leetal  

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And you can buy it too , on amazon wow

The Grouch - F*ck The Dumb (1998)

To put it bluntly, The Grouch is an emcee and producer from the Bay Area who really know's what's going on in the world. His lyrics are genuine, and most of the songs sound a bit autobiographical. But beside him being so down-to-earth, my favorite part of this piece is the production. On tracks like Another Nut and Bangers, the production is dark and grimy, just the way I like my music. While on other songs, he makes different beats which match his many styles of rapping almost perfectly. And then there are the songs that you have to listen to first to appreciate his knack for producing, like You're Not The One. And then there's Once Upon A Rhyme. Personally, I think this may be his best album, next to Crusader For Justice. If you're a fan of underground hip-hop and you especially enjoy hearing rhymes spoken from the heart, this album is for you.

Tracklist:

1. I'm Here
2. All Natural
3. Gibberish
4. Congestion
5. Itchin For A
6. Nothing Changes
7. Bangers
8. Till The Endathis
9. Another Nut
10. Cool Out Time
11. Symbolism
12. (5 Second Space)
13. You're Not The One
14. Put It Down
15. Frustrated
16. You Don't Know
17. A Matter A Fact
18. Drain Me
19. Once Upon A Rhyme
20. I Dunno
21. Over-Evaluation

Amazon

Link

Reggae Friday - Barry Brown - Step It Up Youthman (2006)

This is Barry Brown's Step It Up Youthman which is a re release of of the 1978 album Step It Up Youthman. The tracklisting is different from the original but it has one more song and is still some fine roots reggae.


1. Trying Youthman - Original
2. Step It Up Youthman - Original
3. Step It Up - Original
4. Politician - Original
5. One Way Lover - Original
6. Natty Roots Man - Original
7. Mr. Moneyman - Original
8. Big, Big Pollution - Original
9. Let's Go To The Blues - Original
10. Give Thanks and Praise - Original
11. Enter The Kingdom Of Zion - Original


Amazon MP3

Link

Senim Silla - The Name, The Motto, The Outcome (2007)

This is a forward-thinking and personal album from Senim Silla. He has an ability to write some rather captivating music, and it's hard not to fall in love with every song. The dusty soulful production from Decompoze is fresh, as usual. Basically there's not much to dislike here. Cop this.

1. Intro

2. Keep It Coming

3. V For Vesper

4. A Light To One's Self

5. Brothers Killed Malcolm

6. Less Than Capital

7. Rear Window

8. Wild Life

9. The Violence Inherent In The System

10. The Awakening

11. Breaking The Law

12. Yeah

13. For The Record

14. I Hate Him

15. One For The Money

16. Outro

link

cd baby

Truth Enola - 6 O'Clock Straight (2004)

Truth Enola is a rugged emcee from the South Side of Chicago. He's got a deep full-throated style that make his raw positive lyrics seem imposing. This guy knows how to put together a hard album. Bump this one in the whip.

1. Intro

2. Take You To A Place

3. All Alone

4. Lighters Up Ft. Dragon

5. Ain't Changed

6. No Way No How

7. How It's Gonna Be Ft. Phife Dog

8. I'm Sorry Ft. Charlise

9. Skit

10. I Need to Know

11. Throw it Down

12. Crazy

13. Skit

14. Exactly

15. Honey Love

16. Here I Am

17. Know My Name

18. What Do I Do?

19. Voicestress Ft. De La Soul

20. Everything Gonna Be Alright

link

amazon

Reggae Friday - Augustus Pablo - Rising Sun (1985)

Reggae legend Augustus Pablo had many wonderful albums but this one, backed by Scientist as the engineer, is one of my favorites. It's not a dub album in the typical sense (there is not an emphasis on heavy bass) but it is entirely instrumental with Augustus Pablo playing every instrument.

1. Dub Wiser
2. Hop I Land
3. Rising Sun
4. Fire Red
5. Jah Wind
6. Pipers Of Zion
7. The Day Before The Riot
8. African Frontline
9. Melchesedec
10. Sign And Wonders

Amazon

Link

Reggae Friday - Alton Ellis - Mr. Soul of Jamaica (1967)

One of the greatest reggae singers of all time Alton Ellis was once known as the soul man of Jamaica. This is the album where he goes all in for the love songs doing so wonderfully. This is from 1967 so the music is a little different and slower than the roots reggae I typically post.

1. Breaking Up
2. Why Birds Follow Spring
3. I Can't Stop Now
4. Ain't That Loving You
5. You Make Me Happy
6. Remember That Sunday
7. All My Tears Come Rolling
8. Baby I Love You
9. Chatty Chatty
10. Willow Tree
11. If I Could Rule This
12. What Does It Take

Link

Asheru & Blue Black - Soon Come (2001)

Some great jazz/soul/funk influenced rap for your ears. Asheru and Blue Black are the two emcees of the group "Unspoken Heard", and they created this musical masterpiece after meeting each other. It's truly one of the best album's I've heard in a while. I can't exactly describe it too well, but I strongly recommend a listen. It's guaranteed to get many replays.

Tracklist:

1. Welcome
2. Meals to Dinner Time Prelude
3. Truly Unique
4. Live At Home
5. B-Boy
6. Theme Music
7. Soul
8. This Is Me
9. Jamboree
10. Dear You
11. Smiley
12. Soon Come
13. Think About
14. Elevator Music

Link