NOTABLE MENTIONS OF 2012

These are the albums that didnt quite make it to my top ten but could easily be on the list without hesitation. Please note, they are listed in no particular order.

Channel Orange : Frank Ocean

Did Frank Ocean's Channel Orange live up to the hype/expectations? the answer to that is undeniably YES. Favourite tracks: thinkin bout you, sierra leone, sweet life, crack rock, pink matter, forrest gump, super rich kids, lost, bad religion & pyramids.

@frank_ocean

Rapsody : The Idea Of Beautiful

Idea Of Beautiful is the debut album from Jamla Recording (9th Wonder) artist, Rapsody. She's releasesd a couple of solid mixtapes prior to the album & this record doesn't disappoint either. Lyrically as strong as some of the classic hip hop albums.

@rapsodymusic

Esperanza Spalding : Radio Music Society

Esperanza's 4th studio album was released earlier this year & is possibly her most successful album to date. Radio Music Society is my favourite Esperanza album & I would love to see her in concert real soon. 

@EspeSpalding

Delilah : From The Roots Up

Delilah caught my attention on the Chase & Status album, No More Idols & on her EP released last year. Was fortunate to see her perform when she supported Maverick Sabre last year. The singer/songwriter is mega talented & suggest you check her debut album.

@delilahmusic

SMOOVE - First Class

First Class is the collection of remixes from producer/dj Smoove (Smoove & Turrell) & it features an amazing collection of artists. First class is one of my favourite records this year- see what i had to say about the album here.

CHOKLATE - FLY EP 

The eagerly anticipated EP was released in October & features Musiq Soulchild & Phonte. I've been a fan of Choklate since her debut album & i'm looking forward to some more new music. 

@Choklate

Kendrick Lamar - Good Kid, M.A.A.D City 

Kendrick Lamar's full length major label debut album released in October deserves all the recognition it's getting & it's already been certified Gold in the states. I've been a fan of Kendrick since his debut mixtape & i've copped all his independently released EP/albums. 

Freddie Joachim - Fiberglass Kisses

DJ/producer Freddie Joachim has put together an album that narrowly missed my top ten. Love the album & it's been on constant repeat since it's release at the end of October. 

Nas - Life Is Good

Life Is Good is Nasir's 11th studio album - it was released back in July to some very good reviews from the critics & fans alike. Life Is Good is his best album for a few years in my opinion. Production duties for the album include Swizz Beatz, Salaam Remi, No. I.D, J.U.S.T.I.C.E league & Buckwild. 

Seeing Nas on tour this year was probably one of my highlights of the year.

[re: jazz] - Kaleidoscope 

 New album from Jazz collective, re:jazz featuring the likes of N'Dea Davenport & new vocalist Mediha. Jazz heads will have a filled day with this album. The review of the album should be coming in a few weeks.

#1: DILOUYA - DILOUYA'S FAITHFUL CIRCUS [TOP TEN ALBUMS OF 2012]

Dilouya's Faithful Circus from french producer/musician Dilouya has been my favourite album this year without a shadow of doubt. The best way to describe the album is that it's smply impeccable - I wrote a piece on the record back in June.

This brilliant piece of work will make it into most people's top albums in 2012- it goes without saying a noteworthy record.

@dilouya , Dilouya's Faithful Circus ( amazon, itunes ) 

#2: CODY CHESNUTT- LANDING ON A HUNDRED [TOP TEN ALBUMS OF 2012]

Cody ChesnuTT's sophomore album, Landing On A Hundred was released in October to critical acclaim/positive reviews. The socially conscious lyrics on the album is reminiscent of the Soul Legends - this is a classic album & rightfully deserves all the recognition it's getting.




@codychesnuTT, Landing on a Hundred (itunes, amazon)

#3: SOULANDJAZZ.COM - THE HURST SELECTION VOL. 2 [ TOP TEN ALBUMS OF 2012]

The music Connoisseur, Brian Hurst put together what is possibly the best collection of music this year with The Hurst Selection Vol. 2. Cuts on the album include tracks from Gregory Porter (exclusive remix of '1960 what?'), Maz, The Jazz Collective, Moonchild, Gabriele Poso, Temika Moore, The Jazz Collective & many more.

If you love Good music, make sure you cop The Hurst Selection Vol. 2 & subscribe to the soulandjazz.com podcasts- you won't be disappointed. 

The Hurst Selection Vol. 2 ( amazon, hmv , bandcamp) 

#4: DJ KEMIT - EVERLASTING [ALBUMS OF 2012]

I remember hearing a few tracks off Everlasting a couple of months ago when listening to the soulandjazz.com podcasts - decided there & then i needed the album in my life. It features some amazing artists like Eric Roberson, Choklate, Frank McComb, Jean Baylor, Carl McIntosh, N'Dambi etc.

Everlasting has been my weekend soundtrack of 2012 & is definitely worth checking out.

@djkemit, Everlasting ( amazon)

#5: GABRIELE POSO - Roots Of Soul [ALBUMS OF 2012]

Roots Of Soul is the brilliant album from the multi-instrumentalist Gabriele Poso. I reviewed the album a couple of months ago & it still gets a lot of love on my playlist. See what I had to say about the album  here.


Roots of Soul is a record everybody needs in their collection - comes highly recommended. Gabriele also released the Roots Of Soul Remix EP earlier this month.

Roots Of Soul (itunes, amazon)

#6: ANGIE STONE - Rich Girl [ALBUMS OF 2012]

Rich Girl is possibly my favourite Angie album next to Mahogany Soul. She goes back to the basics with this record & it is possibly one of my favourite soul albums of 2012. Favourite tracks on the album include Rich Girl, alright, do what u gotta do, backup plan, proud of me, livin' it up, u lit my fire & right in front of me.




If you're looking for a decent soul album, I recommend you add this album to your collection.
@realangiestone, Rich Girl (amazon)

#7: BLACK RADIO - Robert Glasper [ALBUMS OF 2012]

Robert Glasper is a name i wasn't familiar with until about a year ago. My introduction to Robert was the single Ah Yea (ft Musiq Soulchild & Chrisette Michelle). At the time, the artists rumoured to feature on Black Radio made it one of the anticipated albums of 2012.

The album definitely lives up to the hype and is clearly one of the Jazz albums of the year without a doubt. Features on the record include Musiq, Chrisette Michelle, Stokley(mint condition), Lupe Fiasco, Bilal, Lalah Hathaway, Erykah Badu, KING, Yaasin Bey (Mos Def), Ledisi & Meshell Ndegeocello.


In October, he released the Black Radio Recovered: The Remix EP featuring remixes and some new features. 
For Jazz purists or skeptics alike - this needs to be in everyone's ipod/music collection. Check out his earlier album, Double Booked while you're at it- comes recommended.

@robertglasper , Black Radio (itunes, amazon)

#8: MIGUEL - Kaleidoscope Dream [ALBUMS OF 2012]

I'll probably be the first to admit I slept on Miguel's debut album, All I Want Is You except the singles (quickie, sure thing & all i want is you)**hides head in shame** The ART DEALER CHIC EP'S released earlier this year changed my views on Miguel & I was eagerly awaiting the release of his sophomore album, Kaleidoscope Dream.

Probably one of the strongest singles this year, Adorn was on the Art Dealer Chic series & you can find the extended version on the new album. Favourite tracks on the LP include How many drinks?, Do You,  p**** is mine, use me, the thrill, where's the fun in forever & Arch and point. Miguel is uber talented & he deserves all the recognition he is getting. I will definitely be re-visiting the first record for sure.



@miguelunlimited , Kaleidoscope Dream (itunes, amazon)

#9:LIANNE LE HAVAS - Is Your Love Big Enough? [ALBUMS OF 2012]

Another 2012 mercury nominated album, Is Your Love Big Enough? was released  in July and has spawned some amazing singles since it's release. I've been a fan of Lianne since i seen her performance on Jools Holland last year with the singles age & no room for doubt.

After her performance on Jools, she released her debut EP, Lost And Found  as well as the Live in LA EP which was available as a free download at the time. One of the released singles, Forget is one of my favourite cuts off the album. I'll keep it simple and say I love the album- it's a consistent cohesive piece of work.

There are just too many favourite tracks on the album to list them all to be honest- the album is definitely worth checking out. If you haven't got the album yet, please check the concert below for 6music's 10th year anniversary.

@liannelahavas, Is Your Love Big Enough ? (itunes)

MY TOP TEN ALBUMS OF THE YEAR [ #10 : DEVOTION - JESSIE WARE ]

As we count the days to the new year, it's fair to say there's been some good releases in the last 12 months. What makes a good album? In my opinion, an album you listen to in it's entirety without skipping a track. It was a difficult task trying to compile a list of my favourite albums of the year. After some deliberation, the albums that make it to my top ten are as follows:

#10: Devotion - Jessie Ware
I first heard of Jessie on the SBTRKT album released last year & kept my eyes open for any releases from the singer/songwriter.


After a couple of single releases, her eagerly debut album was released in August to critical acclaim & it  was nominated for the Mercury prize a month after.


No to love, taking in water, what you won't do for love*, Night light & sweet talk are probably my favourite cuts on the LP- The album comes highly recommended.
@jessie_ware , Devotion ( itunes , amazon), *deluxe album

Kaleem Taylor - Gave You Everything (official video)

Talented singer/songwriter, Kaleem Taylor has just released visuals to the opening track from his brilliant Alone EP. The EP has had a decent share of playbacks since it's release & it comes highly recommended. I've said it before & i'll say it again - Kaleem is very talented. Check out his previous releases & make sure you cop the Alone  EP.

@kaleem_taylor
Alone EP (itunes, amazon)

The Olympic Cyclone Band bring the Groove to Christmas with 'Season's Greetings'

This time of year, I don't think anyone needs a reminder to know its exactly 11days to christmas :). We do have our favourite christmas songs that we love but The Olympic Cyclone Band have actually given life & groove to some of our favourite songs. You can actually listen to the whole album in the festive spirit and have a little boogie at the same time. It's actually impossible to pick a favourite track on the album as its a record you just listen to without skipping any tracks.

Now the bad news is that you may never listen to your old christmas cds again & the good news is Season's Greetings by Olympic Cyclone Band is probably the best christmas record i've heard for a while. I dare you to press play below- you will thank me later :).


If you like what you've heard, make sure you head over to your favourite digital outlets and you can also buy the CD at the Jalapeno shop (www.jalapenorecords.com)
Season's Greetings on itunes, amazon, play, hmv

Bluey Robinson- Good Times ft Bento ( Live Music Video)

Bluey's mixtape has been out for a few months but only just listened to it over a week ago. I have to say , it was actually better than I expected & Good Times was one of my favourite cuts off the mixtape. I'm a BIG FAN of the talented singer/songwriter and honestly can't wait for a full length album to drop.

Please head over to his website & get the mixtape if you haven't already.
@blueyrobinson @BentoBDA

Nadine Charles - Thank You (New video/single)

The talented singer/songwriter has just unveiled visuals to her new single, Thank You. Loving the single & hoping to hear some more new material in 2013.

The single is available to stream/purchase on her bandcamp page.

@nadiva99

Choklate ft Phonte - Win ( Official Video)

October 16, 2012 saw the release of Fly the new EP from the very talented singer/songwriter  - this was one of the most anticipated releases for a minute as it had been a few years we last heard from Choklate. Hopefully we wont wait that long for another new EP/album as Fly has been on constant rotation on the ipod.

Loving the video to the new single WIN with a few bars from Foreign Exchange's Phonte via skype. This EP comes highly recommended.

P.s: only just realised I slept on the first video from the EP, wide open.

@choklate @phontigallo
Choklate ' Fly' on amazon , itunes

ESSENTIAL LISTENING: Smoove - First Class

First Class is the new album from producer/DJ, Smoove (from the critically acclaimed Smoove and Turrell). This record features remixes from some pretty amazing artists including Jazz singer Brenda
Boykins, Dilouya (who released one of my top albums of 2012), Electric Empire, Third Degree, Da Wiesel, Charlie Funk, Afrika Bambaataa, King Kamonzi just to name a few.

This is a very decent collection of remixes & hoping tracks that didn't make it on First Class can find a home on future albums. I've been listening to the LP all week & can safely say the album has slowly crept unto my releases of 2012. Take a listen to the minimix of the album compiled by the man himself- If you like what you hear, you can buy the album from most digital outlets (see the links below).

P.S: Look out for John Turrell's solo album next year entitled 'The Kingmaker' out next year.

http://www.smooveandturrell.com/blog/

Get 'First Class' on itunes , amazon, play, hmv

Jesse Boykins III & MeLo-X - Black Orpheus ( Official Video )

Official video to Black Orpheus taken from the critically acclaimed LP, Zulu Guru. If you a fan of JB III or Melo-X & u haven't bought this album, what are you waiting for ????


'Zulu Guru' on amazon, itunes

Lalah Hathaway @ Band On The Wall ( Pictures)

Probably contender for one of my favourite gigs this year. Lalah's voice was simply breathtaking & I definitely recommend you catch her live any time she's in your city. Her performance yesterday re-iterates the fact that i need to get her new record, Where It All Begins ASAP.

http://bandonthewall.org @lalahhathaway

Daley - Remember Me ft Jessie J (Official Video)

Talented singer/songwriter Daley has just released visuals to his official debut single, Remember Me featuring Jessie J. This track was premiered on 1xtra a while back & definitely deserves all the buzz it's been getting. I think Daley's debut album will be a record many people will be looking forward to in 2013.

@jessiej @daleymusic

Get Familiar with MANKOORA

German Indie Label, Hiperbole Records recently released the debut 7inch single El Loco from the brilliant Mankoora. Mankoora consists of Loopez(Piano & Organ), Alexander 'Newton' Bednasch (Bass & Guitar) & David Hanke (on production duties). 

El Loco fuses latin grooves with breakbeats, horns & the organ to produce what i can describe simply as a certified party starter.

The B side to El Loco , Boogaloo Tormenta makes the trumpet sound like it was designed & made for the dancefloor. Both tracks will definitely have a spot on most dj's sets & holiday playlists.

Mankoora have taken Jazz fusion to new heights with their debut release & i'm looking forward to some new material from these guys. The single is available from most digital outlets & 7" from Juno records. For those that listen to the Funk & Soul Show with Craig Charles(BBC Radio 6) will be familiar with Mankoora. If you love jazz fusion good music, i suggest you have a listen. #THANKMELATER

@mankoora , http://www.hiperbolerecords.com/

Buy Mankoora - 'El Loco' on 7''( juno), bandcamp, amazon, play,

Teedra Moses & Noel Gourdin at the O2 Academy Birmingham [Pictures ]

Noel Gourdin performed songs from his brilliant albums, After My Time & Fresh: The Definition. He also performed his brand new single, Foxxxy which is currently in the UK SOUL charts . Looking forward to a headline show from Noel in the future.

Lord knows i've been waiting years to see Teedra- i've been a fan since Complex Simplicity dropped 8yrs ago. She's kept our soulful ears pre-occupied with her latest mixtape Luxurius Undergrind released last year & her previous mixtapes.

She blew the audience with her performance playing classics from Complex Simplicity to her mixtapes & performed some new sh** (in her words) taken from the highly anticipated sophomore album, THE LIONESS. The songs from the new album sounded f****ng amazing & can't wait for the album to drop. What we need now from MMG label is the release date :).

@teedramoses , @noelgourdin, @o2academybham

Phonte ft Carlitta Durand - Gonna Be A Beautiful Night (Official Video)

Have to say i'm still buzzing from Phonte's performance at the the itunes festival yesterday with Robert Glasper & actually more excited my favourite cut off the album featuring Carlitta Durand has visuals to accompany it. Robert's Black Radio & Phonte's Charity Starts At Home has been my soundtrack all day. Looking forward to that new Foreign Exchange album dropping next year.



@phontigallo @carlittadurand

Eric Roberson - Male Ego Ft. Hezekiah (Official Video)

Official video to Male Ego featuring Hezekiah taken from Eric Roberson's 6th studio album, Mister Nice Guy released last year. Every man out there can definitely relate to this song :). The LP has been a slow burner but has been getting more love the more i listen to it. For those that haven't caught Eric Roberson live, he is one of the best entertainers out there & u need to BUY his albums if you love good music #NUFFSAID



@iamericroberson, @hezekiah3rd, MISTER NICE GUY ( itunes, amazon)

Kirk Whalum & John Stoddart @ The Liverpool LightHouse ( Pictures)

 The Liverpool LightHouse in conjunction with SoulInspired Events hosted the Grammy award winning Saxophonist Kirk Whalum & musician John Stoddart. I was honoured & fortunate to see these amazing musicians - a night I won't forget in a long time.

@livlighthouse @kirkwhalum @johnstoddart

Kaleem Taylor - True Colours

The talented soul singer Kaleem Taylor is back with a new single called True Colours & i can safely say this is probably my favourite single of his to date. This is taken from the Alone EP out this month. I for one can't wait for a full length album from Kaleem & I should point out that there's no in the country that has a voice like his #FACT. True colours is produced by the amazing INS-the man responsible for Kaleem's 2nd single, it'll get better.  Keep an eye out for Kaleem if you haven't heard of him before. He is going to be one to watch in the future.



Kaleem has got a FREE EP out there called The Smooth EP - make sure you get your copy asap & get yourself acquinted.

@kaleem_taylor @siv_01

Choklate is 'flying' on her new Album

I've been rather very excited today when i noticed on my timeline that Choklate aka one of my favourite artists is releasing her 3rd album entitled Fly next month-16th October to be precise. I remember hearing her music for the first time on Ronnie Herel's show (1xtra) a few years ago - bought the self titled debut album and haven't looked back ever since.

Choklate's sophomore album, To Whom It May Concern still gets played to this day as well as the debut album. I'm hoping to catch her on tour next time she's in the U.K. Fingers crossed she will do more cities when she's back here -note to the promoters out there :)

I suggest you check out her previous albums if you haven't heard of her before - thank me later :).
For more information on any forthcoming gigs etc, check her brand new website choklateonline.com.

@choklate , Buy Choklate , To Whom It May Concern

Ray Robinson - I Wanna Make Up ( Video)

For those not familiar with Canadian singer/songwriter Ray Robinson, I'll keep it simple and say go and BUY his debut album released about 8yrs ago entitled What It Is. I remember hearing one of his songs on a podcast & buying the album straight away- I wasn't disappointed as the quality of the songs were simply breathtaking. It's quite hard to pick my favourite tracks off the album but these are my notable cuts - Pleasure is pain, heaven, be the one, i'm down & gone. The LP still gets played to this day- it's that good.

I remember wondering where Ray had been for a while and found out he had a single released last year called Don't Stop which you can find in all digital outlets. Fast forward to 2012 and he's got a brand new single/video, I Wanna Make Up that came out in August. It seems like a new album is in the works & can't wait for it to drop.

Dude is mad talented - make sure you cop his new singles & get What It Is if you haven't already.


@rayrobmusic , Don't stop (amazon), What It Is (itunes)

SEPTEMBER EVENTS : An Evening with Grammy Award Winner Saxophonist Kirk Whalum and Singer/Musician John Stoddart + Guests

The good folks at Liverpool LightHouse in conjunction with SOUL INSPIRED EVENTS proudly present Grammy award winner/nominated Sax legend Kirk Whalum & friend/singer/songwriter, John Stoddart on the 10th September from 7pm.

Kirk formed his band in the 80's and linked up with Bob James and they both went on tour. This led to successful albums and Kirk's first number 1 album. He later became an in demand session player for the likes of Al Jarreau, Luther Vandross, Celine Dion, Quincy Jones & Whitney Houston. An eleven time Grammy nominee, Kirk won his first Grammy award for Best Gospel Song ( 'It's what i do featuring Lalah Hathaway) alongside Jerry Peters.

 

 You can hear him playing on Whitney's hit single, I Will Always Love You. He then followed that with a phenomenal hit album, For You. His New album released in February, called Romance Language pays homage to John Coltrone and Johnny Hartman.

http://www.kirkwhalum.com

JOHN STODDART

 

 

Also on the night is the mega talented musician, John Stoddart. He has written for artists like Al Jarreau, Will Downing, Celine Dion, Take 6, Patti Austin & Michael McDonald.

"In my 30-year career, there is not one musician in whom I have more confidence,for whom I have more respect, with whom I have travelled more miles and negotiated more musical and life changes than John Stoddart," says two-time Stella award-winning saxophonist Kirk Whalum, who is also a multiple Dove Award nominee and Grammy award winner.

John's list of fans and supporters will only grow  thanks to his latest album, Faith Hope Love a soulful collection of inspirational love songs that speak to the challenges and triumphs of marriage.

http://www.johnstoddart.com

 

VENUE: LIVERPOOL LIGHTHOUSE

TICKETS: 10POUNDS (LIVERPOOL LIGHTHOUSE BOX OFFICE)

  

Vivian Green - Anything Out There ( Official Video)

Vivian has just released visuals to the new single, Anything Out There taken from her 4th studio album The Green Room out next month. Really feeling the song at the moment & can't wait for the album to drop.


http://viviangreen.com , @iamviviangreen

Introducing Pitch and Scratch

Suro and Mzuzu collectively known as Pitch & Scratch recently released their 2nd album entitled Together on Legere Records. The duo bring their wealth of djing, beat making, instrumentation to this amazing LP. The album has been on constant repeat but the notable tracks include: Funk is ruling my head, pitch me and scratch me, Papa Never Was A Genius, Maculele, Get Down, What You Wann Do & Vem Meu Bem. The record blends most elements /genres of music including soul, funk, hip-hop, afro-beat etc with a real live feel to it. Features on the record include Wayne Martin, Leila Pantel, Seanie T & Alex Prince.




In these days of 'fast food' music, lovers of the art like myself tend to ask questions like: how many LP's would you listen to 5 yrs from now, how many of these albums would you listen & it still sounds as fresh as it the first time? Together by Pitch & Scratch definitely make that elite list of albums. This is a solid piece of work & you need to head to your digital outlets and BUY this album. While you're at it, cop their debut album as entitled, Hamburg Hustle. These guys are definitely putting Hamburg/Germany in the map & are ones to keep an eye on.

http://pitchandscratch.com/

Together / itunes , amazon,
Hamburg Hustle / itunes , amazon

Angie Stone - Do What U Gotta Do ( Official Video )

Angie's new single Do What U Gotta Do has been doing the rounds for a few months but the official video was released recently. You can find the new single on her 6th studio album Rich Girl out next month. I for one cant wait for the album to hit the shelves. The single is out now in most digital outlets - make sure you get a copy.



www.angiestonemusic.com