Friday, December 4, 2015

016: The Essential 15 Albums of 2015


A round-up of the top 15 albums released this year that I feel had the biggest impacts on society (and on me), had the freshest sounds, and helped push the artists into new musical realms. 

15. The Mouse Outfit - Step Steadier














My favorite on the British hip-hop scene this year, Step Steadier ticks all the boxes of funky, tight production, solid guests and thoughtful, clever lyrics. A really positive energy comes out of this album, one you can use to dance, chill or simply nod your head to. British hip-hop making international waves.

Listen here
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14. DRKWAV - The Purge 














John Medeski on keys, Skerik on sax, Adam Deitch on drums. Can a line-up get any better? This one-off album from the funk/experimental/jazz supergroup takes you for a ride. At times quite noisy and slightly abrasive, and at others groovy, funky and sly. These are some of the most progressive, modern jazz musicians in a room together. 

Listen here
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13. Tame Impala - Currents















The third (and my favorite) studio album by Tame Impala brings some dreamy vocals, psychedelic interludes, fuzzy synths and an overall desire to slow things down rather than speed them up. This is a good thing.  

Listen here
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12. Gilles Peterson Presents: Sun Ra and His Arkestra - To Those of Earth...and Other Worlds















One of the greatest selectors of our time curating a compilation of delightful, 'cosmic' jazz recorded by one of the most expansive, prolific, (strangest?) musical geniuses of the 20th century. Deep cuts from the man from Saturn. Essential listening. 

Discover here
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11. Khruangbin - The Universe Smiles Upon You















Hailing from Houston, Texas, but tinged with streaks of 60's Thai psychedelia and retro funk, Khruangbin is worth your time. After a series of EPs, The Universe Smiles Upon You is their debut LP and makes a strong case for leaving work, finding a quiet beach and never looking back. 

Listen here
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10. Amara TourÇ - Amara TourÇ (1973-1980)















'Latin music, is it really foreign to us Africans? I don’t think so. Listen to the drums, to the rhythm. It all seems very close to us - it feels like it’s our own culture' says Amara TourÇ, discussing the sounds heard on this compilation of singles that was collected and re-issued this year by Analogue Africa. Funk and soul connecting Cuba and West Africa. 

Listen here
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9. Mbongwana Star - From Kinshasa 


























Members from the late Staff Benda Bilili compile a new ensemble and some very fresh sounds. Driving, unapologetic rhythms and vocals that sound like they might be coming from a pirate radio station make this album memorable and unique. In my mind, this is a Congolese gem. 

Listen here 
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8. Kamasi Washington - The Epic












It is albums like this that will help hook the youth of today on jazz. Washington's sound resonates as a vital, contemporary voice of where music may be going, be it jazz, hip-hop or electronic music. A contributor to Kendrick Lamar's 'To Pimp a Butterfly', Washington knows how to bridge stylistic gaps and attract diverse audiences with his expansive sound. 'The Epic' is exactly what it says it is: epic. 

Listen here

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7. HNNY - Sunday












Swedish producer HNNY delivers his first full-length LP, drenched with hazy, soulful beats, emotional samples and a sense that music does not need to be complex in order to strike a lasting chord with the listener. The sound is mature but playful, at times minimal but always fresh. 

Listen here
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6. Daymé Arocena - Nueva Era












Pushing Cuban music into the 21st century with style and grace, this album pairs traditional Cuban styles with contemporary R&B, jazz and other global sounds. Arocena's debut album is soulful gold.   

Listen here

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5. Damiano von Erckert - Also Known as Good












The best 'electronic dance' album of the year. Residing in Cologne, Germany, Damiano von Erckert approaches dance music with a hip-hop mindset, with a bursting appreciation of funk and soul, sampling, and quality percussion that often make this album feel more like a funk band mixed with J Dilla-esq samples than a modern German DJ. With an exploding line-up of guest producers, musicians and DJ's (Tito Wun, Hodini, Retrogott to name a few) this album will get you groovin'. 

Listen here
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4. Nicola Cruz - Prender el Alma 












Debut album from Ecuadorian percussionist, producer and DJ Nicola Cruz is a journey through time and space. Fusing traditional Andean instruments and rhythms with contemporary production tools, voices and aesthetics creates a sound that transports you to some strange, modern Incan-empire of a parallel universe. 'Prender el Alma' helps define the beautiful state of modern South American music.  

Listen here

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3. Vakula - Voyage to Arcturus 












Deeply philosophical, beautifully presented and impossible to categorize, 'A Voyage to Arcturus' will wash over you and create an atmosphere like no other. The easiest album to listen to of 2015. Press play, sit back, and let the music do the rest. 

Listen here

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2. Kendrick Lamar - To Pimp a Butterfly









What can I say? This album changed the way hip-hop albums will be made, talked about and thought of forever. The voice of a movement, a star-studded cast, a bridge between old and new, this album brings it all and then some. Kendrick and company prove that hip-hop is far from dead, in fact it's pounding at your door. 

Listen here

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1. Hiatus Kaiyote - Choose Your Weapon 












'Choose Your Weapon' - the mesmerizing, complex, dangerously cool LP from what is possibly the most idiosyncratic band I have ever heard in my life is the best album of 2015. From Melbourne, Australia, Hiatus Kaiyote delivers polyrhythmic funk, neo-soul and unique psychedelia that will make you question everything you know about music and everything you've ever listened to before. Seriously. 

Listen here  


***Honorable Mentions***

Abra - Rose [Listen here

DJ Khalab & Baba Sissoko - Khalab & Baba [Listen here]







Wednesday, December 2, 2015

014 / 015 - Good Morning /// Good Evening













Two playlists. Clearly, what people enjoy at certain points in the day is subjective, but these are designed not only out of personal preference but also with tempo, texture and emotion in mind. 
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Good Morning. In the morning I find myself listening to more 'world' music, reggae (very much including the dubs), and varied jazz and acoustic works. The tempos vary, I enjoy allowing music to wake me up a bit as well as ease me into the day. The textures are usually bright, but sometimes maybe still a little dreamy. 
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Good Evening. Jazzed, blunted, thoughtful electronic-based selections. This one feels a bit more like a de-constructed DJ set rather than a curated playlist (what's the difference though?). Heavy on South London sounds and artists (Mo Kolours, Tenderlonious, Al Dobson Jr, Reginald Omas Mamode IV, Henry Wu, Chaos in the CBD), these tracks carry an aesthetic similar to how people first perceived jazz: 'cool'. Things begin a bit uptempo and slide slowly into soulful, hip-hop tinged beats, with purples and blues fluttering throughout.  

Thursday, November 19, 2015

013: Yoga

















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Relaxing but with a sense of energy seeping through, this playlist is ideal for an hour-long yoga session, but I enjoy it just as much on a chilled evening like tonight. Stretch, breathe and begin. 


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Wednesday, November 4, 2015

012: Give the Drummer Some, Vol I 



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Live drums, live groove, live funky, (mainly) instrumental slices of musical butter. Drawing primarily from contemporary drummers, bands and producers that stretch the boundaries of hip-hop, funk, jazz and tropical flavors. Homage is also paid to some more classic tracks that, going on 40 years old, feel like they could've been produced yesterday. The playlist runs in reverse-chronology (newer to older), although sometimes I can't tell. Perfect for this rainy London morning. 

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Monday, September 21, 2015

011: Personal Crates - Women in Hip Hop 


















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Women in the world of hip-hop music and culture have long struggled with marginalization, misogyny, objectification and abuse. Hyper-masculinity  in much successful hip-hop creates an atmosphere where it is hard for independent female voices that don't cater to or imitate their male counterparts to break through and gain success. With that said, there remains a rich history of women rapping and helping push the music and culture forward, often providing new perspectives, ideas and themes.

Above is a selection of some of my favorite female rappers, spanning from contemporary to golden age to old skool. Yes, I have left out some legendary artists and tracks, but I wanted to be concise. Sorry, no Missy, Eve, Kim, Rage, etc....maybe in Vol. II. This playlist runs in reverse chronology (new to old), beginning with Londoner Little Simz (who just dropped a new album) and working our way to such legends as MC Lyte and Queen Latifah. Nod your head and enjoy. 



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