It is time for another year of music and all I can say is ,
THANK YOU. Every year I send out a list of the bestselling CDs at my store to
my music industry friends as well as my Top Ten Favorite releases of the year. It
is really about what I play the most so
I am thinking that maybe I should switch to my Most Played List for 2008. I’ll
figure that one out before I finish writing this. And I thought maybe I should
just let everyone know what I liked from this year.
Honestly, as much as I love music, I know that what’s being
released now, as a whole is not memorable. Every now and then something
interesting comes along on the indie scene that is pretty decent.
Unfortunately, the music that is pretty good is very low key because those
people don’t have the juice to get major interest from news outlets. A lot of
the music that I listened to in 2008 was not well publicized and a few of the
projects were actually not released in 2008.
Now, let’s see. First I always have a problem remembering
what came out since the beginning of the year. But here is what I remember
liking this year. I picked 20 CDs that I remember liking a lot. No particular order. But I would be
interested in finding out some of your favorites from 2008 and why.
Labelle – Back To Now
What can you say? Omit the single and you have a true
Labelle CD. Patti, Nona and Sarah give it to you. The cover of Truth Will Set
You Free (originally a Mother's Finest song) and Without You In My Life (a new Labelle classic) are worth the price of the CD.
Ashford and Simpson –
The Warner Bros Years: Hits, Remixes and Rarities
What can you say. 2 discs. 12” versions. Remix versions by current
remixers/DJs. Classic music.
Albright – Sunny One
Day
A 2007 release that I played to death in 2008. Hot!! This CD
shows what the indie scene is doing that the major label should be doing –
putting out really good music.
Kindred – The Arrival
Probably the most underrated R&B CD of the year. The
story continues and you learn a lot about love. And giving. And sacrifice. And
family. I love this CD.
Andy Caldwell - Om:Dubai
Great dance music. A 2007 release that I found out about from my
good friend, noted writer Scoop Jackson. I am so glad he turned me on to this
CD.
Eric Benet – Love
& Life
Benet is back. He sings. A different CD than the highly
underrated Hurricane CD but this is the CD that Eric wanted to make and it does
not disappoint. If you heard Eric sing some of these songs at The Experience
you’d understand how good this CD really is.
Marc Broussard – Keep
Coming Back
This guy is so good. He should be promoted to the urban world because he
deserves it and his talent and music crosses all lines.
Lalah Hathaway – Self
Portrait
It took some time but I discovered why Lalah told me this is her best CD – and
it is. Lalah is like butter - smooth and oh so tasty.
Kirk Franklin – The Fight of My
Life
A December 2007 release that shows why Kirk Franklin is one
of the best writers in gospel music.
Gladys Knight &
The Pips – Claudine
The soundtrack is re-released. What a joy. Is The Makings of
You one of the best songs ever?
Miguel Migs – Those
Things Remixed
A remix collection of his release from the previous year (Those Things). Both CDs are great.
The Murrills – Family
Prayer
Donald Lawrence
does it again. A great group of people who deserve their accolades. Music that
feeds your soul, your mind and your ears.
Duffy – Rockferry
Love it. Wish she got the same pub that Amy Winehouse got because this is a MUCH
better CD.
Adele – 19
See Duffy comment. Thanks to one of my very good friends for making
me listen to this and thanks to my rep for making sure that I rec’d the deluxe
copy when it was released.
Lyfe Jennings – Lyfe
Change
A CD that compares with his first CD in terms of quality.
Mick Hucknall –
Tribute To Bobby
Mick (the voice of Simply Red) does his idol Bobby Bland
great justice.
Various - Chill: Brazil
Vol 5
Relax and enjoy.
Al Green – Lay It
Down
Al never fails. And more importantly, even with guests he
doesn’t try to become someone else. Al is Al and that’s a good thing.
Donna Summer –
Crayons
A great welcome back after 17 years from the Queen of Disco. Is it her best? No. But, she still has it.
Algebra – Purpose
There are some moments on this CD that are really good. It is not a brilliant
CD but it deserves a listen.
What I listened to a lot in 2008 that was not released in
that year: Feeling Orange by Ledisi, View From Another Place by Wayne Lewis,
Love Stories by Frank McComb, Milira by Milira and a few more. Plus I must say that Ledisi made me like a Christmas CD when she released hers. Now that is a CD that I can listen to year round and that speaks volumes for a holiday CD.
I will tell you another highlight of 2008 for me – the two
best concerts: Maxwell and Tina Turner. Amazing. Both of them. That’s all I can
say. Amazing.
I wonder what you think about the music of 2008.
Comments: