This past year has been another incredible year in music. Aside from my disdain for commercial radio, there have been many hits played all year long, of those hits, only one makes my top ten list.
If it weren’t for internet radio, satellite radio, music blogs and websites, I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to discover most of the albums on my list. A special shout to Honeysoul, EJ Flavors, NetInfoWeb, and Todd Kelley for keeping me abreast on all the new Soul, R&B, House, Hip Hop, and all the other genres that made noise this year.
From 10 – 1, remember this is my list, so please don’t comment about how I could possibly miss an album or two or three you thought were the best. This is simply my tastes, my list.
Number 10 – 
Alice Smith – For Lovers, Dreamers and Me
This album was actually released in late 2006, however, it landed on my radar early this year. This New York City based singer is nominated for a Grammy for her performance of A Dream. And check out Do I, which in my humble opinion, the sexiest song to come out in many many years.
Fave Cuts: A Dream, Woodstock, Do I, Love Endeavor
Number 9 – 
Jay-Z – American Gangster
The soul samples alone solidifies this selection as a top ten listener. His consistency and relevance in Hip Hop make him a legend, respect due.
Fave Cuts: American Dreamin, Roc Boys, Sweet.
Number 8 – 
Guru – Jazzmatazz, vol. 4 – The Hip Hop Messenger, Back To The Future
As a fan of the original concept of Jazzmatazz, I was pleasantly surprised by the inclusion of not only Jazz artists, but new Soul artists as well. Ledesi, Raheem DeVaughn, Slum Village, Kem, Common, etc. This album is right up there with the original Jazzmatazz albums.
Fave Cuts: Fine & Free, Wait On Me, International.
Number 7 – 
Robin Thicke – The Evolution of Robin Thicke
Who among us hasn’t caught themselves trying to emulate Robin’s wonderful falsetto this past year? I for one have caused many earaches in my wake trying to capture the smooth sounding “Lost Without You.” This album put Robin on the map, a new look + a new sound = mega success.
Fave Cuts: Lost Without U, Teach You A Lesson, Wanna Love U Girl, Shooter.
Number 6 – 
R. Kelly – Double Up
Never one to crumble under adversity, R. Kelly continues to make hit album after hit album. His latest may not have garnered the accolades he’s used to, but his music continues to be a constant reminder that he is indeed THE King of R&B (Sorry Bobby Brown). The R. even went as far as to emulate primates on this disc on the track “The Zoo”, telling us how he likes to get wild. WE KNOW HOW YOU LIKE TO GET WILD R. Has he even gone to trial yet?
Fave Cuts: The Zoo, Double Up, Sex Planet
Number 5 – 
Talib Kweli – Eardrum
You won’t hear Talib Kweli songs all over the radio or all over the TV in videos. The main reason being that Talib has always had something to say in his music, unfortunately, most kids today just want to hear nonsense with a good beat and catchy hook. Talib has the beats with production from Madlib, Just Blaze, Kanye, Pete Rock, Hi Tek, and Will-I-Am among others, and he definitely has the hooks. On top of all that he has substance without sounding preachy. This is Talib’s Warner Brothers debut as well as his first album on his own label Blacksmith Records. Hopefully it won’t be his last. This album WILL rock well into 2008.
Fave Cuts: N.Y. Weather Report, Country Cousins, In The Mood, Hot thing, Listen.
Number 4 – 
Common – Finding Forever
This album contains my favorite song of the year, Misunderstood. A beautifully crafted sonic masterpiece that samples the incomparable Nina Simone. This is Commons 7th release and is better than his previous 6 in my opinion. The follow up to 2005’s critically acclaimed album Be, Finding Forever continues on the same path. A sample heavy album that utilizes some of my favorite soul tracks produced primarily by Kanye West, as well as production from Will-I-Am and Devo Springsteen, who produced the soon to be classic Misunderstood. Listen out for that one people.
Fave Cuts: The People, Driving Me Wild, I Want You, U Black Maybe, Break My Heart, Misunderstood.
Number 3 – 
Darien Brockington – Someone To Love
Thanks to Honeysoul who introduced Mr. Brockington to so many of us. If it weren’t for her blog, I would probably still not be up on D-Brock. From the moment the CD starts you feel like you’re in for something special. Like many of the new soul artists before him, Dwele, Raheem DeVaughn, Jill Scott, etc. you will be pulled into his sound from the get go, and be able to listen all the way through without so much as a fast forward click, in fact you’ll be using the rewind button quite often. This CD is the best R&B album of the year, hands down.
Fave Cuts: ALL OF THEM!!
Number 2 – 
Kanye West - Graduation
From College Dropout to Late Registration, now we have Graduation…What’s next, Grad School? Well for Kanye West, he has already earned his Masters and could very well be on his way to his Doctorate. Graduation doesn’t strike the ear the way the first two albums did, however, the more you listen the more you enjoy, and that’s what all albums should strive for. He won’t have monster singles like Jesus Walks, or Golddigger, but the album itself is a purely enjoyable listen from beginning to end. The production is tight as usual and his lyrics continue to get better. Is Kanye becoming a real MC? As long as he continues to make incredible music as his backing element, he can rap the A B C’s and still have us bobbing our heads.
Fave Cuts: Champion, Stronger, I Wonder, Good Life, Can’t Tell Me Nothin’, Flashing Lights.
Number 1 – 
Timbaland – Timbaland Presents Shock Value
When I first heard Timbo was doing another solo album, (yes he’s had others) I almost cringed at the thought of hearing Magoo throughout an entire album. Fortunately for all of us, Timbaland decided to put together a dance heavy, sonic masterpiece, where music is set upon a platter and the likes of Justin Timberlake, Nelly Furtado, Keri Hilson, and others endulge in the deliciousness of Timbo’s beats. Timbaland is one of todays all time great producers and clearly shows why he is at the top of his game. Even the L.A. band One Republic , who sings on the Timbo song Apologize are garnering all kinds of accolades. If I could only buy one album, this would be it, until Shock Value II is released!
Fave Cuts: ALL Of Them
I can’t wait to hear what’s in store for 2008!!
