Available for FREE - Click here
| |
MONTHLY MIXTAPESRELEASESFree Releases from EDB: RECENT POSTS |
BEST OF 2009Me and my dude Chris Lark are back with our little wrap-up lists for 2009. My lists are first, then his below. Check it! Hip-hop Albums:
Mos Def “Ecstatic” LP Malcolm X quotes, a vintage verse from Slick Rick, old school b-boy adlibs (“Fresh!”), parts Afrobeat, parts electronic, and songs without hooks or structures fitting the radio airplay mold – this is one of my favorite albums in recent years. What I love here is that there's literally no “rules” to this album, Mos just flows off a wild assortment of beats (some classics from the Stones Throw camp) with songs that can last under two minutes, or twice that. It's pure newness and creativity, something missing from not just hip-hop but a lot of veteran artists, in my opinion, who are too scared – or just don't want to – take risks. Great cover art too.
The Physics “High Society” EP The 206 was strong this year, and this might have been my favorite release from the Northwest. From the opening track, they hit you with straight-forward, in-the-pocket lyrics and flows over beats that make you wanna roll the windows down even if the sun isn't shining outside. The title track is especially strong, and the whole album just feels GOOD. Still on rotation months after I copped it. Did I mention it's FREE??
Kareem Riggins “Music Kaleidiscope” Mixtape So it's not an “album.” But this was better than 90% of the albums released this past year. It goes beyond being my favorite mixtape of the year – plus it's more than just a mixtape anyway. A blend of beats, originals, classics, edits – placed perfectly together. It's a great ride of mostly instrumental but consistently funky, spacey, fusioned-out shit. While I could do without the cheeze verse from Common's (extremely forgettable) album, even that can't dimish what a great listen this is. And it too is FREE.
Oddisee “Odd Summer” EP People are probably expecting me to put the Dirty District album on here, and while that was a solid release, it honestly got boring after about two or three weeks. But this little instrumental gem he dropped around the same time didn't – funky breakbeats with live instrumentation and structure, perfect for vibing out, washing the dishes or rockin in the ride. Loved what he did with those Jimmy Smith drums!! Dude is one of the best producers out right now, and while I dig him on the mic, this little (FREE) release was magic.
Jay-Z “Blueprint 3” LP Yeah, I liked it. Well, most of it. Sure, it wasn't the Black Album or Reasonable Doubt by any means, or maybe not even Blueprint 1. But Jay came back rough, stylin the fuck out on these tracks. Ideally, this would have been an EP with the 1/3 of the album that's like a huge tumor cut from it, but what can you do? This is pop music, and the kids want Drake and the Snowman. Songs like “Thank You” and “Already Home” are pure fun and great music. He sounds hungry! The best thing he's done since the Black Album.
Muamin Collective “World B. Free” LP Never heard of Muamin? You need to pay attention to Cleveland. With their first (as far as I know) “official” release (I got the old stuff, but was it official??) Muamin brings it with off-kilter, hard-hitting production and emceeing from aLive and Zion. People might want to throw them into the Dilla-biting category, but that's cuz they aren't really listening to this stuff. It's raw, it's stylin, and Muamin has a uniquely original character to their tracks, which speak on politics, women, everyday hustle and the 216. Download this ish today over at their Bandcamp site.
Khingz “From Slaveships to Spaceships” LP My dude Khingz is possibly my favorite emcee right now this side of Andre 3000. I know I'm biased, but you really, really need to check this guy out. He's ridiculous. I mean, look a the title of this album. Concepts!! Every song has something creative and different, my favorite being “Blacc Han Solo,” a hip-hop nerd's love song. The title track is ferocious, and the amount of emotion poured out on this album makes you wonder if he didn't fall out unconscious in the booth after finishing. I liked some of the beats more than others, but each track gets taken to that extra level by the emceeing. Seattle stand up! Honorable mentions I'd almost put Ish aka Shabazz Palaces on the list, except I admittedly have only heard the whole album once. But I would tell everyone to check it out. It's both abstract and dope as hell, and had my favorite video of the year, below. Abstract Rude's album was pretty dope, but only a couple cuts stayed with me for the duration. However, I'd say it's definitely worth checkin for – vintage Vitamin D production and Ab's classic vocals. The Diamond District album was a big fan favorite, and was a great 90s-throwback, extremely well-executed. But it just didn't stay with me long enough, I got tired of it and moved on. Raekwon's album as well was perfectly executed, and I enjoyed parts, especially Rae's microphone perfection, but some of the beats were tired and pieces of it seemed forced, so it didn't make my final list. Pac Div put out a mixtape with some great cuts, but others were lackluster. It's always disappointing when great emcees end up rhyming about the same thing for 10 tracks, especially when that same thing is either crack or blowjobs. For this reason, couldn't really throw Freeway's new mixtape with Jake One production up here – it was real cool, but somewhat redundant. However, Freeway remains in my top 5 emcees, and that opening cut was ridiculous. The dude just sounds hungrier than half the cats out there. Exhibit B (not a typo) was pretty cool, but I can't join in the group-slobber around Electronica just yet. Songs I Bumped Hard This Past Year: Mr. Lif - “What About Us?” Special Note: This song really is a must-listen in our current political and economic state. The Physics - “High Society,” “The Session” Mos Def – whole album The Roots - “How I Got Over” (Live version) Jay-Z - “Already Home,” “Thank You” Freeway - “Love,” “As I Ever Been” D. Black ft. Grynch - “Bring it Back” Gift of Gab - “El Magnifico” Diamond District - “The Shining” Raekwon ft. MOP and Kool G. Rap - “Ill Figures” Blakroc - “Ain't Nuthin Like You” DJ Spinna - “Summer Madness (Instrumental)” Khingz - “Cloud City,” “..Is the New Blac,” “From Slaveships to Spaceships” Pac Div - “We the Champs,” “Pac Div” Muamin - “Grandiose,” “Any Other Way,” “4Tha” Madlib - “Filthy” K'Naan ft. J. Period - “Fela Tribute” J. Dilla - “All Good” Abstract Rude - “It is What it Is” Brother Ali - “Us” E-40 ft. Ice-T - “Earl” Grouch - “Hot Air Balloons,” “Breathe” I'm gonna post videos for some of these selections in a later post. Best of 2009 by Chris Lark Surprised I’m back? Well so am I. You should know that I decided to come back one more time because I wanted to make it a full 10 years that I’ve done these lists with one of my best internet homies DJ Ian Head. This really is my last one because I have to devote more time to my new job - being a independent film producer. I’m working on a film project right now and plan on another one later in 2010. I’m fairly sure I won’t have time to do these lists again but it’s been great fun doing them with Ian over the years. I hope he keeps them all on the internet forever. 2009 was pretty crazy (but so was the rest of the 00 decade) but Ian wants us to stick just to music this year so that’s what I’m gonna do. ‘09 was actually better than expected music wise and here are some short lists to prove it. Hip Hop Debut Albums & EP’s of 2009: Hip Hop “Comeback” Albums of 2009: Hip Hop Albums & EP’s of 2009: Hip Hop/Soul CD Re-Issues of 2009: Hip Hop Mixtapes/Compilations &/or Free Downloads of 2009: R&B/Soul/Funk/World Music Debut Albums of 2009: R&B/Soul/Funk Albums of 2009: R&B/Soul/Funk/World Music “Best Of” Compilations of 2009: R&B/Soul/Funk/World Music Compilations of 2009: Pop & Rock Debut Albums & EP’s of 2009: Pop & Rock Albums of 2009: Pop & Rock “Best Of” Compilations of 2009: 4. The Undertones:An Anthology, Antiseen:The Best Of Pop & Rock Re-Issues Of 2009: |
