I realized today (after a little nostalgia trip courtesy of that new album) that my entire taste in music can perhaps be narrowed down to a series of pool parties (some more fun than others). My own particular brand of seapunk, I suppose. Anyhow, here’s a selection–dive in, if you will.
It’s my birthday, so here’s a selection of traditional Ethiopian tunes.
The lovely folks at Masala posted this fantastic mix the other day. A great way to start the year courtesy of always excitingly eclectic Maga Bo and friends (find the playlist here).
Here’s a little taste of what’s to come in 2010. Anthony B sets the bar high where “Free Buju” tunes are concerned, and take notice of new killer riddim from Truckback (G Whizz, I Octane and Gyptian to come, but no word on whether they’ll be singing about Gargamel too).
When I started this blog in 2006, I thought I’d write about soundclash. I apparently have not. Hopefully, in the future (i.e. 2010) this will change. I might expand the horizons beyond soundsystems in this space, and to give anyone reading an idea of what might be included, here’s my best of 2009 as published in the Montreal Mirror (big thanks to hinaddis for the heads up on Staff Benda Bilili-so incredible):
Top 10 albums
Bisso Na Bisso Africa (Warner France)
Bonjay Gimme Gimme EP (independent)
Buraka Som Sistema Fabriclive 49 (Fabric)
Chief Boima African by the Bay EP (Akwaaba)
Grizzly Bear Veckatimest (Warp)
Oumou Sangare Seya (World Circuit)
Poirier Run the Riddim EP (Ninja Tune)
Staff Benda Bilili Tres Tres Fort (Crammed)
Tinariwen Imidiwan: Companions (Independiente)
Various Biggest Ragga Dancehall Anthems 2009 (VP)
Bottom 3 albums
Asher Roth Asleep in the Bread Aisle (Universal)
Vybz Kartel Pon Di Gaza (Adidjahiem)
Weezer Raditude (Geffen)
Best Song (tie): Chino, “Pon Your Head”/Vybz Kartel, “Like a Movie”/Ding Dong and Chevaughn, “Holiday”
Worst Song: Miley Cyrus, “Party in the USA”
Best Show: Bridge Burner, Mile-End, June 24
Worst Show: Rye Rye, Coda, March 9
“While Rye Rye’s tired, just-got-off-a-plane performance didn’t live up to the famed excitement of her hometown of Baltimore, Montreal brought the energy for la fête St-Jean. Megasoid, Valeo, Poirier and Face T kicked the summer into high gear with their huge Bridge Burner. There is nothing better than listening to loud music outside—particularly some of this year’s reggae and dancehall, genres that always prove themselves to be single-driven: killer tunes, crumy albums.”
Soundclash 