Tops in 2012

Happy New Year

I wrote this up a couple weeks back and even though the calendar has flipped, I wanted to share it on the blog.  It wasn't easy to slim down but I decided to place not only the music that I listened to the most, but the albums I consider to be statements of where we were in 2012. 

1 - Flying Lotus - Until the Quiet Comes

Thanks to Mr. Steven Ellison, and the huge anticipation and eventual fruition of this project, this was the year that Brainfeeder broke out! I had the great pleasure of seeing him perform live twice this year and they were both defining concert experiences. Hands down, best beats in the world. There I said it, let's move on.

2 - TNGHT - EP

Humongous on the track!  Two masters of their craft come together for the best EP of the year. (half Canadian, I might add)  I knew it was fire the first time I heard it and 'Higher Ground' became a guaranteed party smasher for dj's the world 'round.

3 - Kendrick Lamar - good kid, m.A.A.d city

Best rap album of the year.  This kid can write seriously good stories and his hooks are so damn catchy.

4 - Oddisee - People Hear What They See http://mellomusicgroup.bandcamp.com/album/people-hear-what-they-see

This is grown mans hip-hop.  Mad talented producer. 

5 - Blue Sky Black Death & Nacho Picasso - Lord of the Fly http://nachopicasso.bandcamp.com/album/lord-of-the-fly

This was released back in January but its stays on the phone and in the car. Epic Blue Sky Black Death beats with entertaining drugged out raps. "No pupils, I'm enlightened. I'm eatin' thunder, I'm crappin' lightning"

6 - Captain Murphy - Duality

I'm a believer! All hail the Captain. www.captainmurphy.xxx

7 - Moka Only - Airport 6 http://urbnet.bandcamp.com/album/airport-6

When I'm having a downer day, Moka always makes me feel better somehow. He releases more material than any rapper/producer out there and it's consistently good but I think this album really epitomizes him as an artist and the beats are top game. 

8 - Killer Mike - R.A.P Music

This is hard at you fuckin' rap music. What a damn team-up with El-P.

9 - Lana Del Rey - Born to Die

A little guilty pleasure. Pop music with a dark seductive side.

10 - The Gaslamp Killer - Breakthrough

Another example of the Brainfeeder takeover. A chaotic collection of electro madness to round out the top ten. 

My reputation stands as an official beat addict. Here's a few more mentionable tunes that got plenty of play last year:

Freddie Joachim - http://music.freddiejoachim.com/album/the-joachim-remixes-vol-5-free-download

Evil Needle - http://darkerthanwax.bandcamp.com/album/homeworks-ep

Bahwee - http://huhwhatwhere.bandcamp.com/album/flavors-2-2

Chief - http://chiefbeatmaker.bandcamp.com/album/collabo-collection

The Seshen - http://theseshen.bandcamp.com/

PEACE in 2013

Arapaima - Sun Key 1 (2012)

If you're down with TNGHT, pump this RGHT NW!

Dday One - In Session #16

Chief - Shadows Chapter 1 (2011)

Bahwee - Flavors 2 (2012)

Evil Needle - Homeworks EP (2012)

Elaquent - Parallel (2012)

Shag - Me Again (2012)

Continuos expansive output from this young producer.

Potatohead People - Kosmichemusik EP (2012)

The discovery of this album and many more in the past year has inspired me to start sharing my tastes here again.  Bandcamp is one of the best ways to sample and buy music right now.  The artist gets a larger percentage of the purchase than iTunes, plus lossless audio rules!  Let us continue...

Teebs - 09 (2009)

A little collection of tracks that are the perfect introduction to the man who goes by Teebs.  This is glitch-hop on another planet.  Pulsating auras and bright accents fill the sound stage with a euphoric glitter that enlightens while it soothes.  It begins with a fifteen minute BBC radio mix and nine other songs worthy of the repeat button.

brainfeeder

Piano Overlord - The Singles Collection 03-05

Yet another alias of Scott Heron aka Prefuse 73. I wasn't even aware of this incarnation until I stumbled across it in a small record store back home. On this project we hear a more acoustic approach that differs from the usual glitchy sample chops and eerie processed landscapes. Full, vibrant tunes are interspersed with free-form jazz type ones that cycle the listeners experience. Not to worry though, there's plenty of beats to keep the head-nodders happy. :^)

Morcheeba - Charango (2002)

Smoky flavours here from these big players in UK trip-hop. The last outing with Skye Edwards before her return on 2010's Blood Like Lemonade. I'm catching them live on this tour for sure. See you there.

The Q4 - Sound Surroundings (2010)

The Q4 is a Dutch hip-hop collaborative formed around 2005. While listening I imagine a lonely tour down the dark, narrow alleyways of Amsterdam, occasionally passing a bright neon glow and the intoxicating emanation of coffee shops. Guest voices here play the people you pass along the way. Who might you meet?

jondis - MagiC (2010)

Another nice set of tracks from a small-time beat maker getting heard on bandcamp. I put money down on this after first listen cause I knew it was something I would keep on the burner. Good beats for driving real early in the morning when the stars are still out. You know I can't get enough of this buttery smooth hip-hop shit. Peep it.

bandcamp

Bugseed - Bohemian Beatnik (2010)

I get submissions now and then and this one I've been rockin' on repeat. Bugseed is a beat-maker from Tokyo doing drum-break style instrumentals with a real chill vibe. I may post some more bandcamp links in the future as I find myself discovering lots of new music there. It's a perfect outlet for many established and emerging artists to get there stuff directly to the people. This beat's for you.

bandcamp

Mr. Scruff - Keep It Unreal (1999)

An early Mr. Scruff album released soon after he signed to the mighty Ninja Tune. It has a late-nineties quality to it which I enjoy, but there are some tracks worthy of skipping. What remains is a few gems that must be shared.

Nostalgia 77 - Songs For My Funeral (2004)

This is Nostalgia 77's first full length on the Tru Thoughts label. In the seven years since it's release, this man has continued to explore undiscovered territories of nu-jazz and received many accolades along the way. It started here with a grainy mix of old jazz sensibility and new drum-break flair – far from funeral music.

The Cinematic Orchestra - Past, Present & Future (2007)

A very intimate and acoustic album with minimal electronic embellishments. This collection contains instrumental versions of much of the Ma Fleur album (released the same year) and some rarities towards the end, including a song titled Lullaby. That should be your last song of the night.

Devin the Dude - To Tha X-Treme (2004)

I don't think anybody raps about weed more than Devin. His beats are always mad chill and smell of skunky bass and funky loops. This is quintessential smokers music. Light up one for 2010.

Happy New Year!

bandcamp

Ta'Raach & The Lovelution - The Fevers (2006)

This is a disjointed collection of dirty hip-hop with undeniable moments of clarity. When they pinpoint a situation, you feel like you're in the same room. It's raw, dank, and sexy. Start a lovelution.