Live in '05

Let's pass on baloney laden statements about how important MY top 10s are this year. Here's one man's opinion.

The albums... (singles coming soon)


1. Perceptionists - Black Dialogue - Definitive Jux
The year's most politically minded hip-hop joint--or any genre for that matter--took on the war in Iraq and loads of other heavy topics with a highly intelligent left hook. As Akrobatik raps in the title track, "It's black dialogue, go ahead, kid, try it on." Beats and brains.

2. Kanye West - Late Registration - Roc-A-Fella
Go ahead and hate on Kanye. He's hella full of himself, but this is one helluva record delivered with the highest self imposed and fan expectations on the line. Recruiting Jon Brion was as deft a hip-hop move we've seen in years.


3. Giant Panda - Fly School Reunion - Tres
Not just reminding folks of hip-hop's early 90s golden age, they re-created it in an updated way I've yet to see any act match. I feel like personally thanking them for what was probably my most listened to disc this year.

4. Edan - Beauty and the Beat - Lewis
Heady. Brainy. Intelligent. Freakish. Most will lather Edan in praise for his dome, but his prog rock infused tracks are what hadcriticss (including yours truly) falling over themselves to praise this record. It deserved every word.


5. Eels - Blinking Lights and Other Revelations - Vagrant
Since Mark Oliver Evrett, aka E, is essentially the Eels, he gets the props. Soulful and even depressive, this double album is dynamite. He even made his a no-budget music video shot in his house, complete with unplanned howls from his pooch. Side story--I was to review an Eels show in '05 and missed the gig. That might not sound like much of a story, but the reason I missed his strumming was he actually took the stage at 7:00 pm (on time) with no opening act. I was still at work. Guess he goes to bed early.

6. Common - Be - Geffen
This one grew on me. After overcoming my initialdisappointmentt, tunes like "Testify" keep me coming back to it. At 11 tracks, it's concise and precise.

7. Murs & Slug - Felt Vol. 2 - Rhymesayers
These guys put the emo in emotion. According to the press materials, "FELT is a musical collaboration with the long-term goal of having sex with b-level Hollywood actresses. This record is not for the love of Hip Hop." Need I say more?

8. John Legend - Get Lifted - Columbia
We go gaga for R&B artists who write their own tunes and skillfully pound the keys, but Legend deserves every utterance of praise.

9. Dangerdoom - The Mouse and the Mask - Epitaph
I'm not a Cartoon Network freak. Frankly speaking, I don't even stay up late enough to catch Adult Swim. But when Doom and Danger Mouse came together, it was the finest moment yet for both. Brilliant pairing.


10. J-Live - The Hear After - Penalty
The most overlooked rap disc of the year. Are we getting overlyaccustomedd to J-Live's forward thinking wordplay? Whatever the reason, if you skipped this disc, return to it if only for "Listening." It's a recorded phone convo between Live and his wife Kola Rock. Mature and reflective.

Long Time No Type

Since it's been a while since the last post, it's catch up time.

Things I'm digging:


Kev Brown "I Do What I Do" (Up Above)
Sat down w/Kev at a local diner here in Maryland for an URB magazine B-Side and he's as cool and calm as his silky hip-hop jams. Highly recommended for golden age rap game aficionados. Pete Rock fans should definitely pick it up.


Supernatural "S.P.I.T." (Up Above)
Fifteen years in the making. The freestlye legends first officially released full length. Also talked to him for an URB magazine feature at this Bed-Stuy coffee spot. Animated cat with live lyrical talent that can't be matched.


Maryland Nighthawks
The ABA is back. Spoke to the owner Tom Doyle for a piece in the Washington Post Express. Squad has Lawrence Moten, Randy "White Chocolate" Gill and several other offensive minded hoopsters. Fun for $10 or less.

Just yesterday, Doyle and Gill were featured on ESPN 2's Cold Pizza. Doyle proposed trading Gill & Moten for Indiana's beleaguered forward Ron Artest. Shrewd promotional ploy. I love it!