The Music Tank

Once again I’ve decided to put up a Top 10 list of my favorite albums of the past year. Let’s just say that 2009 has been a good year musically. Accompanying each selection is a intricate brief description as well as “Notable” tracks, which are basically my 3 favorite songs off my favorite albums.

10. Kev Brown – Random Joints EP

Kev Brown has become a staple for basic jazzy beats with heavy basslines. He had not come out with a solo release since 2005’s I Do What I Do, Brown decided to put out a collection of joints produced over the past few years. This caught my immediate attention and I’ve been bumping it since it came out on digital download a few months back. Even though it’s an EP and is not quite heavy on new tracks, this is a gem. The collaborations are within the Low Budget family and extended one and mesh perfectly with the sound of Kev Brown. Check it out, well worth your 9$!

Notables: “The Versatility Joint”/”Marvelous”/”The Hennessy Joint”

9. Funky DL – The Interview EP

I’ve been a fan of Funky DL for quite some time now and am always eager to hear new material of his. I don’t know, the way he mixes his hip-hop sound with jazzy samples just does it for me. On top of that, DL speaks about things dear to him. The gravy on the meat here is surely the format that this album takes. Titled The Interview EP, the album scours into Funky DL’s origins and feelings towards the music. What you get is basically every question/answer you need to know to understand DL’s music and then followed by an example of it. Simple, introspective and brilliant.

Notables: “Back Around the Old School”/”Dusty”/”Good Music”

8. Miike Snow – Miike Snow

This Swedish electro-pop trio made an immediate impact in the blogosphere with their massive hit Animal (which has been remixed by nearly everybody who could get their hands on it). But to classify this group as a one-hit wonder type of sorts would be a huge mistake. The album is filled with atmospheric pop-rock grooves that can pass as ballads but with the umph of electronic music. The lead singer’s voice transcends the speakers and offers a soothing sound that fits pretty much any setting. Oh, and their logo is awesome!

Notables: “Burial”/”Cult Logic”/”A Horse is Not a Home”

7. Tanya Morgan – Brooklynati

The trio of Tanya Morgan (Donwill, Ilyas & Von Pea) really gave the sentiment of reaching a new “plateau” on Brooklynati. The title is a mix between Brooklyn and Cincinnati, the two cities from where the members hail from. Brooklynati is also a fictional city in the group’s mind where fund raisers are made to save local DJ’s record store and a baseball games are held at Yancey (see Dilla) Park. Brooklynati is Hip-Hop and so is this album, right to the bone.

Notables: “So Damn Down”/”Alleye Need”/”Plan B”

6. Dan Auerbach – Keep It hid


Something about Blues rock music appeals to me and Dan Auerbach tends to bring it out at it’s best. Keep It Hid, the first solo album from half of The Black Keys is part atmosphere, part banging drums and kick ass guitar but all ear candy.

Notables: “I Want Some More”/”Mean Monsoon”/”Whispered Words”

5. k-os – YES!

k-os is possibly Canada’s most successful musical export and reaching into his fourth full length album, you expect a few things from the man. Fortunately, all the elements you are used by k-os’ music are here. That does not mean repitition. k-os uses his singing abilities full throttle (to the detriment of his detractors who would preffer more rapping and less singing, or so we keep on hearing) and still meshes different musical styles which defines his sound. You get some ballads, some darker lyric-driven beats and chart topping hits. Bottom line, this album has a lot of replay value.

Notables: “The Avenue”/”I Wish I Knew Natalie Portman”/”4 3 2 1″

(For further talk on the album, check out my YES! album review)

4. Movézerbe – Dendrophile

Qu’est-ce qui arrive quand 8 artistes des plus talentueux s’enferment dans un shack pour un hiver entier? Un album inoubliable qui coule de la première note à la dernière. Tel est le profil de l’album Dendrophile de Movézerbe. Ce collectif incluant Accrophone, Les 2 Toms, Boogat, Ken-Lo, Karim Ouellet et AbidboX démontre son amour pour le hip-hop dès la première chanson avec le sample le mieux connu de l’histoire du rap The Funky Drummer de James Brown. L’utilisation de ce sample dans le morceau Le Loop, comme quoi la force de la répétition déguisée est ce qui caractérise le hip-hop, donne le ton au reste de l’album. S’ensuit des chansons aux rythmes reggae, jazz, funk et même électornique (Dendrophile). Une belle palette de couleurs musicales teintée de paroles vraies et sincères. Un must!

Notables: “Roches”/”Nazdrovia”/”Terre”

3. Grand Analog – Metropolis is Burning

Grand Analog’s follow-up album to 2007’s Calligraffiti is an overall upgrade. Grand Analog step their game up and deliver polished beats layered with horns, guitar, basslines and drums that gives you that “feel good vibe”. The songs’ styles differ from one to another which shows you the diversity of the group and makes for a very interesting piece of work. The collaborations are sporadic but quite effective, see Shad on Electric City. Great homegrown Canadian hip-hop album.

Notables: “Everyday Always”/”Take it Slow (Places & Spaces”)/”Electric City”

2. Mos Def – The Ecstatic

From the start of The Ecstatic until the very end, you feel that you’ve embarked on a special musical experience showcasing Mos Def to his core. The Ecstatic brings out all his tools; his flow, breath control, word plays, singing abilities and sense of melody. This is, in my opinion, the best example of MCing 2009 had to offer. Top that with raw beats (and middle eastern samples) by the likes of Madlib and his brother Oh No and you have yourself a winning formula. Impressive.

Notables: “Top Priority”/”Auditorium”/”Casa Bey”

1. K’naan – Troubadour

Something about K’naan had me raving when I first heard his first effort The Dusty Foot Philosopher. There was something deep and intriguing into this artist and his music. Troubadour confirmed my intuition by giving us some real raw records to bang all the while providing inspiring songs about hope. The best example is Wavin’ Flag (who has been selected as the offical anthem for the 2010 FIFA World Cup). When you get to know K’naan’s history you start to appreciate his art to a new level. It’s hard to imagine such a positive being after experiencing a violent youth in Somalia. This album delivers on every level and will make you dance and sing your worries away. And please go see K’naan in a live show, and thank me later.

Notables: “T.I.A.”/”Fire in Freetown”/”I Come Prepared”