TOP 10 ALBUMS OF 2011

Here it is. Agree, disagree, hate it, love it, it is what it is.

10. Drake – Take Care (Cash Money) 
Does anyone know where I can find the instrumentals?  The album is dark, soulful and well crafted. The samples
mixed with heavy 808′s, chopped keys keep this record on repeat.  What I love about Drake’s lyrics are his honesty
and ability to share his journey as a human being caught up in his personal growth.  And with an album that has
production credits from Jamie XX (The XX) and Stevie Wonder? How can you go wrong?

9. Jonti – Twirligig (Stonesthrow)
Seriously. Choppy loops, drums sounds, humming, rapping and atmospheric melodies all put into this wonderful cd.
Every track is beautiful.

8. Ben Westbeech – There’s More To Life Than This  (Strictly Rhythm) 
Im not sure if this album made big moves overseas but I feel this album has been slept on in the States!
When I first saw the teaser I was instantly hooked to the album’s single “Summer’s Loss” via a youtube vid.
From soulful gems that remain on repeat on my gym playlist to the before mentioned single, this is such a great
feel good record.

7. DJ Cam – Seven (Inflammable)
Dj Cam has created an album that makes me reminisce to the days of downtempo soul and beats.  This brother never
ceases to amaze me with his various directions and musical landscapes but with this he hit it off right!   A nice collection of
headbangers at so many different tempos and moods.

6. Meshell Ndgegeocello – Weather (Naive) 
Call me biased but Im a die hard Meshell fan. At times she has lost me and other times she’s won me back.
Weather has elements of Bitter and also demonstrates her growth with the help of the album’s producer Joe Henry.
I think its fair to say her work captures emotion and at times in a brutally honest sense. Unafraid to go where most
of her peers wont.  This album has some nice moments and musical highlights that are sprinkled through out
this new release.

5. The Weeknd -Thursday (Self Release)
Easily my favorite break out artist of the year.  It took a while for his sound to grow on me .  What other artist fuses
R&B Soul with indie rock samples, guitars and heavy drums?  When I first heard this second album I remember listening
to each track wondering if it would lead up to my expectations. And it did. Easily.  It’s hard to believe Abel Tesfaye gave away this brilliant
record for free via his website.  Download it! Google him!

4.  SBTRKT – SBTRKT (Young Turks/XL)
I remember playing his early works with Sampha on KCRW. Sampha always reminded my of a British Aloe Blacc mixed with Kele of Blockparty.
But with this album SBTRKT pushes electronic music into uncharted territory.  Tracks like Hold On and Pharaohs hold their own in the clubs but also
as solid written songs.  Then I heard Wildfire featuring Yukimi Nagano and I threw my hands up in the air. Brilliant!  I even slipped that song into my live
dj sets.

3.  Raphael Saadiq – Stone Rollin (Sony)
This brother nailed it with this release.  Songs that fuse yesterday with tomorrow. I got to see him perform these songs at SXSW and in LA and it was
great to see these songs come to life on stage each time.  Tracks like “Over You” and “Just Don’t” were on constant repeat on my Ipod and radio show. But “The Answer”
hit a personal note with me.  I remember sitting in his studio and hearing this song and being moved by the content.  I told him this was my favorite cut on the record.
Still is.

2.  James Blake – James Blake (Polydor)
There is nothing out there similar to what he is doing. Respected by Dubstep heads, folksters, hipsters, hip hop heads, dj’s, etc.
He covers all musical ground and capturing moods with every chord.  When I first heard “I Never Learned To Share” I remember playing
it to friends in the car at 2 or 3 am after the club and still being moved every time.   I remember his set time was 1 am in an old church at SXSW
and I got there by 8 pm waiting and anticipating for his debut in the America.  And it was worth the wait.

1.  The Weeknd – House Of Balloons (Self Release)
Another artist who is unparalleled in the music game today.  The Weeknd’s debut release was a free giveaway on his website.
When I first heard this album I thought “its like Trey Songs singing over Beach House records”. Its indie rock mixed with Jodeci.
But smoother.  When I first downloaded this full length it took a minute to grow on me. And when it did, It was on repeat.  The perfect
album to drive home to after the club.  It became my soundtrack after 3 am.

Honorable mentions 
Thundercat –  The Golden Age Of Apocalypse (Brainfeeder)
Gotye – Making Mirriors (Samples ‘ N Seconds)
Jay Z and Kanye West – Watch The Throne (Roc A Fella)
Teebs – Collection 01 (Brainfeeder)