18 Nov 2007 – 25 Nov 2007
The album that has been dominating my life the past 2 weeks has been Jay-Z's American Gangster. While, it doesn't really hold onto the idea of being a concept album throughout, the 70s soul & funk can't be denied and Hova is having fun here. My favorite track, Party Life, has a great hook and the rhymes are hella clever. Although, I always enjoy when the Jigga-man gets mackadocious. I'm still amazed that this is mostly Diddy production (and, RPM, I haven't forgotten about sending you my extra copy).
Outkast gets top billing off of me re-finding Aquemini (which I still believe is their finest album). The title track bubbled up on Shuffle one day and I immediately jumped to the full length. I suggest you do the same.
Most of the rest of the list (Madlib, Little Brother, and De La Soul excluded as they regularly bubble up in my weekly spins) is the result of me starting to focus in what I think are the best albums and songs from the year. I know what tops my list -- the artists behind #s 1 and 2 are both in my top ten here -- while Justice remains controversial in my head.
I haven't been exceptionally happy with my last.fm recommendations of late but these two recent additions to my library are highlights:
This week, last.fm says
Magneta Lane and
Bugge Wesseltoft. Bugge is already a good choice as he's connected to
Beady Belle (who I haven't listened to nearly enough of) but what I really think Last.fm wants me to listen to is a
Brazilian Love Affair.
Or, maybe just have one.