ETHOS

 By Paul Pennington

Orginally I had this amazing idea to post my favorite albums of 2008. When I started, I began to reminisce over this year and all of its musical disappointments and mediocrity (Common, T.I., John Legend, Robin Thicke,  Gym Class Heroes, Common, Common…Common). However, after a closer examination, I realized that there was a truly solid collection of great music that came out. Looking at incredible releases from Erykah Badu, Lil’ Wayne, Dwele, Nas, N.E.R.D., The Roots (as always), Q-Tip, and Al “Don’t Call It A Comeback” Green, 2008 was a solid year. But, generally speaking, these are names and releases that most people are aware of. So as this post was literally written and awaiting publication, I began to look at other “Best of 2008” lists and realized that every list was basically the same. I’m sorry but I just don’t get down like that. Deciding to not play in the mainstream, I figured I would rewrite the post and drop the “other” best of 2008. So I went back and looked at the musical masterpieces that flew under the radar of 2008. This is for the artists that said “motherf*** the wagon come join the band…” Download/Buy/Listen/Enjoy.

-Kay/Nicolay/Zo!/Phonte-Time:Line, Zo! and Tigallo Love The 80’s, Leave It All Behind

Apparently collabos were hot in the Justus League this year and we should all be thankful. The connection of Dutch producer Nicolay and rapper Kay dropped first with Time:Line in February, which was a great beginning to the collective of albums. It is my belief that Nicolay solely makes beats that transcend genres and just scream “NOT HIP-HOP!” and that’s why they are so powerful. On the other end Houston-rapper Kay brings a very solid flow to the tandem. The album is particularly feature heavy, which usually is not a good look. However, the album showcases many “underground” artists that deserve serious shine. Of particular interest is S1 of The Strange Fruit Project, an amazingly dope hip-hop act out of Houston.

D.C.-producer/multi-instrumentalist Zo! brought the throwback heat with the NC-“rappa ternt sanga (minus auto-tune)” Phonte (of Little Brother). The album explores there take on several 80’s classics. This album is so good it makes me want to pull out the activator and get it extra WET…I’m talking Eriq LaSalle SOUL GLO “Extra Wet Like Stoney Jackson’s Curl” wet. It’s that serious.

The culmination of this musical connectivity came with the second album from The Foreign Exchange, which consists of Nicolay and Phonte. Leave It All Behind is literally like nothing out right now. Seriously. There is no comparison, outside of their first album, Connected. Even then…I just don’t know. Showing off the musical genius that is producer, Nicolay, this album makes absolutely no sense. Nicolay’s production has this odd, European-influenced, insanely timed (7/4 in double time…really?) feel that has to be heard to be fully understood. After showing off his vocals on Zo! & Tigallo Love The 80’s Phonte sings practically the entire album along with amazing singers Darien Brockington, YahZarah, and Muhsinah. As always the members of the Justus League bring great new music to the table.

Jazzanova-Of All Things

I’m going to go ahead and assume I’ve already mentioned Jazzanova at one point on this blog. If I haven’t I’ve really dropped the ball. Basically Jazzanova is a collective of German DJ’s who generally make dope electronic/house/nu-jazz/that wild European ish that they play in discotechs music. However, over the years they have ultimately expanded into full, original, rich compositions of eclectic sounds that again cannot be fully understood/named unless listened too. Even then, you won’t want to label their sound. Because of the nature of their group, they quite naturally need various vocalists to make it really work. Phonte drops a few musical features on this album, thereby giving the album a default status of dope. Other features include Dwele and Leon Ware, like the genius who basically created Marvin Gaye’s amazing album I Want You (one of my all-time favorites). However, a relatively unknown musician/singer Philly native-Paul Randolph completely steals the show. As the showcased vocalist on three tracks he definitely brings something appealing to the stage. On the low, Stevie hypes this guy up…a lot. I mean if Stevie Wonder says that you’re nice, I feel like you can retire on that one. Has Stevie hyped Usher yet? Yeah…that’s what I thought.

Wale-The Mixtape About Nothing

See, I really wasn’t even going to add Wale, because I figured at this point everybody knew this dude. I mean he hangs out with Mark Ronson on some bff tip and everybody loves Mark Ronson. However, upon meeting Wale, he just seemed happy that someone outside of the D.C./Maryland/Virginia area had any idea who he was. Well, considering I had to do promotion for his concert, I should have quickly learned of his semi-obscurity, but I chalked it up to the “usual” any time things don’t work out…Penn silliness/ignorance.  So why is Wale currently what’s hot in the hip-hop backstreets? Is it because he tours with Go-Go band UCB and has these crazy musically-driven concerts. Sure. Maybe it’s the fact that in his track “The Manipulation” he literally goes verse for verse with his inner-womanizer and inner-gentleman (I literally have been fighting my two sides of “The Manipulation” for quite some time). That’s a possibility. He may be hot because of “The Grown Up” another song that epitomizes were I was/am, in regards to relationship/women (“They say love is the slowest form of suicide…” opening line…damn) which he tackles perfectly. It may even be the fact that this entire mixtape is centered on the “show about nothing” concept of Seinfield. That’s could be it. No, no, no. I don’t think so. You know what makes him “that dude” right now. On his lyrically brilliant, album that infuses lines on relationships, “artistic integrity”, and the “dreaded n-word”, around an entire concept from Seinfield, he had Elaine, the Julia Louis-Dreyfus lay a drop down on the album. This dude hit up Elaine from Seinfield and had her do a drop on his album talking about some “Don’t you think I’m cool.” For that Wale, get’s best album of the last 25 years. Michael Jackson never had Michael J. Fox doing drops on his album…I’m just saying…

Esperanza Spalding-Esperanza

It was a great year for Jazz. If you read the blog, you would know that I’ve reminded you of this fact many times. You would also know that Esperanza is one of my new future ex-wife candidates. Unnecessary misogyny aside (or so the “progressives” would say) her new album was fantastic. I don’t need to go in hard on why Esperanza is an amazing artist. I’ve done that enough. The album speaks for itself. Her cover of Body & Soul (“Cuerpo Y Alma”) may be one of my favorite versions of the jazz standard. When I am in one of my melancholic “I really want to fall in love because I just watched Seven Pounds” moods, I simply go to “Precious” or “Fall In” to make everything perfect (yes I even set sardonic temperaments to music). Again…she sings (in Spanish and Portugese) and plays the upright bass. If that’s not wifey material, I don’t know what is. All I’m saying is someone needs to“put a ring on it!” Sorry…I just really felt the need to somehow incorporate Beyonce in my completely serious musical post.

Incognito-Tales From The Beach

The acid jazz movement that has introduce such acts as Jamiroquai, The Brand New Heavies, Thievery Corporation, The Cinematic Orchestra, etc., owes quite a bit to the steadfast strength of British group Incognito. Making music for almost thirty years, the group has dropped another quiet gem. Like most European music groups, it infuses jazz, funk, soul, electronica, ambience, dance, rock, and every other genre imaginable to make great music. Many people may remember the group for their song “Deep Waters” from the 1993 LP Positivity, which garnered much urban radio airplay. Their newest album Tales From The Beach, gives the same fusion friendly sound that would remind any listener of standard Stevie Wonder party music. The group keeps the music fun and exciting, with powerful horns, congos, and up tempo dance grooves. It’s definitely an album for all ages.

Stacy Epps-The Awakening

Recently the music world has been blessed with a group of amazing alternative female vocalists (think Jack Davey, Muhsinah, YahZarah, Janelle Monae, etc.) This year gave the first solo album from Stacy Epps entitled, The Awakening. Some may remember her from the hip-hop act Sol Uprising. Personally, I remember her vocals from one of my favorite tracks from the Madvillainy album, “Eye”. If you’ve heard that then you’ll immediately understand the otherworld appeal of Epps. This new album gives an eclectic taste of progressive soul mixed with rich, funky beats. The closest comparison to her sound is Erykah Badu’s New Amerykah, simply with its offbeat soulful R&B styling. However, Epps is clearly her own artist that is both neo and soulful, but never cliché . Stacy Epps is definitely a vocalist that everyone should keep an eye out for.

Jazz Liberatorz-Clin d’oeil

If it’s not clear by now, I have an open bias towards music that involves overlapping genres and fusion. The continuity of music over type is a powerful melodic mechanism. The French musical collective known as the Jazz Liberatorz do such on their latest work, Clin d’oeil. Coming out of France, quite naturally they have a fond admiration for jazz. Dropping such names as McCoy Tyner, Abbey Lincoln, and Charles Mingus on one track and covering Slum Village’s “Fall In Love” on another, they have a real sense of the historical union of music. They understand where hip-hop and jazz intersect. The album gives a musical history lesson exploring the richness of jazz, while reintroducing the greatness that is 90’s hip-hop. This is greatly assisted by features from Fat Lip (of the Pharcyde), Buckshot, Sadat X, Asheru, Stacy Epps, J-Live and many others. Whether you love hip-hop or jazz, I’m sure that you will love this.

Atmosphere-When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That S*** Gold

Coming straight out of the city Prince built, Minneapolis, Minnesota-natives rapper Slug and producer Ant complete the hip-hop duo known as Atmosphere. The group, which began in 1993, has been steadily creating heat within the independent circuit. The collective is actually more famous than you may think. The independent label that they started, Rhymesayers Entertainment, has artists such as MURS, MF Doom and Brother Ali. For those MURS fans, Slug collaborated with the L.A. rapper to create the duo Felt, which dropped A Tribute to Christina Ricci and Vol. 2, A Tribute to Lisa Bonet. Rhymesayers Entertainment has sent out great music for years now, which definitely includes Atmosphere. Their most recent endeavor may be their best work to date.  Slug is a very talented lyricist who upon being heard deserves more attention. Thematically, he waxes introspectively about cocaine habits, self-entrapment, and backseat love. With such demure topics, producer Ant is able to create daunting beats that work effortlessly with the voice of Slug. Moreover, Ant works with live musicians giving the sound rich quality full of horn-driven beats and elegant piano strolls. This is not like anything you will hear on the radio.

Adele-19

Adele is not Amy Winehouse. I suppose because both are female, white, British, and “soulful” singers I hear the comparison so much. It’s not entirely off; however, it’s like comparing Lil’ Wayne and Ludacris because they are both black, southern emcees, and rap cleverly. The point is Adele is her own artist. What I particularly enjoy about Adele is her raw acoustic styling. Unlike many, if not most contemporary “vocalists” her naked voice provides more than enough strength to carry any song. Because of her vocal prowess, Adele has the ability to powerfully emote the melancholic nature of much of her musical catalogue. Coupling this talent with strikingly expressive and sharp lyrics, she is the farthest thing from pop music. To truly understand the maturity of her work, I would strongly suggest finding the Deluxe Edition of her newest album which includes a live set of her album performed at the up-and-coming performers venue Hotel California in Los Angeles. Most importantly Adele doesn’t do coke or go off on racially-driven diatribes…so again Adele is not Amy Winehouse.

Colin Munroe-Is The Unsung Hero

Colin Munroe is going to be famous. I’m talking about Britney Spears extra-pop famous. This is not to say that the young Canadian-born singer is a car-beating, worst mother of the year nominee, “misunderstood pop star with limited (at best) vocal ability. Like De La said, “It may blow up, but it won’t go pop.” When I consider the possible ascension to stardom for Munroe, I look at what he represents. When you first hear his voice, your immediate reaction is lead singer of an alternative/indie rock band with the name “The_______ (insert noun plural)” Because of this, it is even more interesting that after he lays down his vocals, you may hear those of Wale, Drake, Mickey Factz, or _____ (insert your favorite rapper on the verge). It is this type of crossover appeal that will earn Munroe an immediate following. Again, Munroe is anything but a formulaic pop singer. The talented artist writes and produces the vast majority of his material. If anything, just take a listen to his remix “I Want Those Flashing Lights”, which Kanye himself cosigned. Even with Ye’s sketchy musical choices lately, you’ve got to respect the hustle.

88-Keys-The Death of Adam

I’ve been a fan of rapper/producer 88-Keys for a long time without even knowing. He co-produced one of my favorite tracks from Mos Def’s Black on Both Sides in “May-December”. The instrumental piece features Mos on the bass and the late great Weldon Irvine on the keys. Most importantly, among his great production discography, he produced Black Star’s “Thieves in the Night”. I won’t even begin to talk about why it is one of my favorite songs of all time. That could be a completely different post. As a proven producer, 88-Keys had much to prove as a lyricist. I must say that he does not disappoint. The entire album follows a conceptual plotline surrounding a character named Adam and his demise from the power of the Pu…Well, let’s just say the duality of female sexuality/empowerment is explored in all its glory. If you’re still confused just listen to the opening track of Prince’s Gold Experience…you’ll understand and thank me later. With such a central topic, the album has its morbid points and its comical highs, which are smoothly captured by the alternative hip-hop sound of 88-Keys’ production. With appearances by Bilal, KiD CuDi, Shitake Monkey, and J*DaVey, the album is definitely for an open-minded crowd.

While you get ready for new 2009 releases from Mos Def, Jay-Z, Eminem (hahahaha), Dr. Dre (hahahaha, lmao AND rofl), and Kanye West, I suggest you take a listen to some of the great albums from the amazing “opening act” artists of 2008. There are many other artists I would like to showcase, but I’m lazy and have no interest in writing these quasi-reviews for a million and one albums/artists I like. So here’s a bigger list of the dopeness that was 2008. I personally guarantee that I will deliver multiple eargasms with this list:

1.     Danny-And I Love H.E.R.

2.     Coultrain-The Adventures of Seymour Liberty

3.     Lina-Morning Star

4.     Wax and EOM-Liquid Courage

5.     Jose James-The Dreamer

6.     Avishai Cohen-Gently Disturbed

7.     Jamie  Lidell-Jim

8.     Nicholas Payton-Into the Blue

9.    Aaron Parks-Invisible Cinema

10.   S1-Music Box

11.   Murs-Murs For President

12.   Ahmad Jamal-It’s Magic

13.   Madlib-Beat Konducta Vol. 5: Dil Cosby Suite

14.   Madvillain-Madvillainy 2: The Madlib Remix

15.   Maiysha-This Much Is True

16.   Soil and “Pimp” Sessions-Planet Pimp

17.   Elzhi-The Preface

18.   YahZarah-The Prelude

19.   Thievery Corporation-Radio Retaliation

20.   eMC-The Show

21.   Jackson Conti-Sujinho

22.   Lizz Wright-The Orchard

23.   Black Milk-Tronic

24.   Angela Johnson-A Woman’s Touch, Vol. 1

25.   Illa J-Yancey Boys

26.   Various Artists-Your New Favorite Mixtape

27.   Murs and 9^th Wonder-Sweet Lord

28.   Jake One-White Van Music

29.   9^th Wonder and Buckshot-The Formula

30.   Nikka Costa-Pebble To A Pearl

31.   Muhsinah-Day.Break 2.0

32.   Anthony David-Acey Duecy

33.   Madlib-Beat Konducta Vol. 6: Dil Withers Suite

34.   Sy Smith-Conflict

35.   Madlib-WLIB AM: King of the Wigflip

36.   The Tones-Dreamtalk

37.   MGMT-Oracular Spectacular

38.   The Mighty Underdogs-Droppin’ Science Fiction

39.   Guilty Simpson-Ode To The Ghetto

40.   Zo!-Re: Definition