Better late than never…
10. Zeb – Stop the Eart, I Want to Get Off!
Turntables on the Hudson’s resident strummer May not man the decks, but he’s a beast on production, and his worldly compositions are nothing short of hypnotic.
9. Blue Scholars – Bayani
Geologic and Sabzi provide the classic one-two punch as emcee-DJ/producer of this surging Seattle rap duo. Their sound is smooth and evocative, yet undeniably fierce.
8. The Pimps of Joytime – High Steppin’
Reserve a slot in between Ozomatli and Antibalas at your next tree-fest for these funksters outta N’Orleans and Brooklyn. If they bring this kind of heat on CD, I can’t wait to see them rock a bandshell.
7. Talib Kweli – Eardrum
Is he mainstream? Is he still underground? Who the duck cares? The ubiquitous Kweli is at the top of his game, and Eardrum plays like a collection of greatest hits from his last two albums.
6. Amy Winehouse – Back to Black
It’s a damn shame she’s become such a punchline, but hey, there’s a lot of pressure that comes with reinvigorating a whole genre. Sort of feels like she’s been a star for decades now.
5. DJ Vadim – Soundcatcher
After his side project One Self dripped with potential, this is exactly the follow-up I hoped for, a showcase for Vadim’s signature crunching loops that still spans styles and features eclectic, A-grade vocals.
4. Pharoahe Monch – Desire
No matter that 60 percent was leaked prior to street date, the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. But if we’re talking parts, look no further than the anti-gat manifesto “When the Gun Draws” and bouncy shoulda-been-hit “Body Baby.”
3. Blockhead – Uncle Tony’s Coloring Book
We could always count on Tony Simon for crafty downtempo; now he’s gone and proven he’s got some dancefloor stompers (cheeky soundbites and all) in him, too. It’s the most pleasant surprise of ‘07, with the best song titles to boot (”Cheer Up You’re Not Dead Yet”).
2. Jay-Z – American Gangster
Seems Hova just needed a little inspiration after that minor bout with “retirement.” The movie didn’t quite live up to expectations, but the unofficial soundtrack is stunning, an instant classic.
1. Mark Ronson – Version
There’s not a single miss on this electric collection of funk covers, all the more impressive considering the source material ranges from The Smiths to Britney Spears to Radiohead. It’s not only the best record of the year, it’s the most ambitious.
Honorable Mentions:
Common – Finding Forever
DJ Alibi – One Day
Luckyiam – Most Likely to Succeed
Othello – Alive at the Assembly Line
Ghostface Killah – Big Doe Rehab
Junk Science – Grandad’s Nerve Tonic
Sharkey & C-Rayz Walz – Monster Maker
Wax Tailor – Hope and Sorrow
Anonymous Twist – The Crucible
Balkan Beat Box – Nu Med
Lifesavas – Gutterfly
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