Here’s our annual breakdown of what turned our cranks in 2009. An interesting year, with arguably the biggest album of the year (Merriweather Post Pavilion) released within the the first 30 days of the year’s start! Many were swooned by the Dirty Projectors’ r&b alt-pop; few could deny Grizzly Bear’s charms; and who didn’t sing along to the Yeah Yeah Yeahs’ “Heads Will Roll”. Thanks for all the fun 2009…
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Wire are mindblowingly amazing. Learn about them here.
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(Basic Replay) CD
The Basic Replay label is dedicated to reissuing out of print reggae & dub releases. Timely appropriation aside, the label knows what its doing; this CD compiles notable dancehall, reggae & dub standouts from a myriad of artists, including Jackie Mittoo, Keith Hudson & Barry Brown among others. A handful of tracks are followed by their instrumental version, illuminating the brilliant production being resurrected here. Fans of the UK’s current wave of dub step should check out this great compilation of influential sounds.
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(Soul Jazz) CD & LP
Soul Jazz continues its amazing look at forgotten, under-appreciated & just down right amazing moments in musical history. The New Orleans Funk compilations take an amazing look at a city that has deep musical roots; N.O. was an integral city at Jazz’s birth & the legacy of this musical tradition is documented here. Packaged with extensive sleeve notes & pictures, this is a great document of a city that boasts talents which extend beyond that of just Fats Domino & The Meters. The word “funk” does this collection no justice. You’ll be surprised how many of these tunes you know…
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(Strut) CD
A great look at the brilliant fusion of dub reggae, pop & new wave that crept from Island founder Chris Blackwell’s Compass Point Studios, located in the Bahamas. The Compass Point All Stars (which included Sly & Robbie) were a malleable in-house team responsible for some brilliant club-bound music of the 80’s. Talking Heads, Grace Jones, Tom Tom Club & Sly Dunbar all feature here, placed amongst a brilliant mix of some of the most adventurous productions of the 80’s.
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