This just in: I'm not dead!!!!
(Although, really if I was dead, there's no way you'd find out on my blog.)

What is up, assumed blog followers?!??!!! January, February, March-April-May... that shit's flying by like no one's business. Lots going on. Work dominates my life. Wedding planning dominates my weekends. Music dominates my mind.

I've been running lots the past few months, and on the weekend scored a personal best 10k time of 1:02:11 in the Sportinglife 10k. My new goal is to somehow break that 1 hour mark. (Fuck you Asthma!)

Running is been awesome passtime/hobby not only because it's helped me shed a few pounds, but also because it gives me a lot of time during the week to listen to music. There's lots of great high intensity, in-your-face running music, but I'll often just put on something I want to listen to, not necessarily typical workout music.

So far there haven't been a ton of obvious stand out albums for 2010 that I can think of, but one thing I've been listening frequently (at home, at work, commuting, relaxing, running) is an "album" of instrumentals and rehearsal recordings of my favourite band The Roots.



The unofficial album is made up of tracks ?uestlove posted on his Swift.fm page via Twitter. Since starting as the house band on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, the band has put together over 1000 songs, generally referred to as Sandwiches, which serve as instrumental jams and backing tracks for the show's various segments and sketches. To celebrate the milestone ?uestlove leaked a bunch of the tracks, as well as rehearsed walk-on music for various guests.

The so called LNJF Sandwiches EP goes seamlessly from a Liquid Swords era Wu-Tang soundalike, to Tracy Jordan's "Wearwolf Barmitzva" from 30 Rock, to Chic Corea's jazz standard "Spain" (which may sound like a bit repetitive, but I can tell you I spent countless hours in high school learning this on flute and that's the only way to get it).

Those 3 tracks alone encompasses everything I love about The Roots from their musicianship to their sense of humor, but the originals on the EP go further and provide some of the best things the band has done in years. The sound quality is great, despite the fact that they are rehearsal takes, and you can often hear ?uestlove directing the band vocally. It's absolutely worth your time.

I'm going to claim that I had no part in creating this downloadable link, but recommend you check it out before it gets nixed.

Link

I know what you're saying.

"BR4D, you're not fooling anyone with that bull$#*& back-publishing on your blog. We know you didn't drop that Best of 2009 list on New Year's Eve."

Good point. I definitely only dropped it half an hour ago. But frankly, when I'm trying to do my Best of 2010 list, and want to reference my older lists (2008, 2007, 2006) I usually just browse the month of December for that year. Just trying to make life easier on myself.

Cheers.

p.s. DAAAAMN 2006 was an awesome year! Game Theory, The Information, Back To Black, Beat Konducta 1-2, Donuts!! Wow.

Overall, I have to say that 2009 has been a very enjoyable year in music for me. I've had this list on the go for a month or more, and rearranged it a number of times. In fact any of the Top 5 really could be number 1. Hope you're able to find something you like on...

"BR4D’s Top 10 List of CD’s you Should have bought in 2009"

10. Beat Konducta Vol 5-6: A Tribute to... - Madlib
For My Mans
Producer/DJ/Rapper/novice-jazz-musician Madlib has to be one of the most prolific artists on the planet. He always has several different projects on the go, and usually puts out 2-3 albums a year. In 2008 he released 2 LPs (the Dil Cosby Suite and the Dil Withers Suite) under his Beat Konducta moniker, released this year on CD, as a tribute to the great J Dilla. It might not be kind of thing that a lot of people are interested in listening to, but fans of Madlib or Dilla or anyone needing a schooling in good beats will really get a lot out of the album. It's a fitting tribute to a former collaborator, mentor and friend. Expect these tracks to start showing up on various rappers albums in the next few years. (I know Mos Def has been performing a song in live shows using one of these already.)

9. Blakroc - The Black Keys & Various Artists
Album Trailer
The Black Keys were a big discovery of mine this year. I had heard a few of their albums in previous years, but this year I started seriously listening to them. The idea of a hip-hop record backed by the Black Keys sounded really appealing, especially after seeing the series of online videos documenting the recording sessions. I loved the atmosphere in the studio and music-focussed attitude Dame Dash had. The album is not without its flaws, in that for every awesome rap verse there's an equally lame rap verse, but I really enjoy Dan and Patrick's ability to channel the early 90s RZA. Apparently on early Black Keys recordings they used GZA's Liquid Swords as their blueprint for sound. (Check episode 4 of the webisodes to see them working with RZA on a track.)

8. Veckatimest - Grizzly Bear
Two Weeks
For years I've had a really hard time finding anything interesting or new in the Rock world to get into. There's just such a huge amount of music out there, and it's hard to wade through a lot of it. What initially caught my interest with Grizzly Bear's Veckatimest was the single "Two Weeks", which brought to mind all of the beautiful vocal work I enjoyed on Ben Folds' albums. I had a similar great experience with the track "While you Wait For The Others" (wich was released on iTunes along with another version of the song featuring Michael McDonald on lead vocals). Overall I'd say that it's a great album, with great songs, that perhaps could have been better sequenced (sometimes I find the album drags with too many slow songs). Still, a solid release, on many best of 2009 lists.

7. Only Built for Cuban Linx 2 - Raekwon
New Wu
All I needed was about 30 seconds of "New Wu" to go from not being sure that Raekwon should do a sequal to Only Built for Cuban Linx, to anticipating it like Christmas morning. You couldn't ask for anything more Wu-Tang then a RZA chopped soul beat, Method Man on the hook, and Rae and Ghost talkin about drugs. The original OBFCL album is generally thought to be one of the best (if not THE best) of the original Wu-Tang albums, so Rae had a lot to live up to by making a sequal. One major difference with Cuban Linx 2 is that it's not exclusively produced by RZA. Fortunately, the collection of producers involved do an excellent job of approximating that sound and providing continuity that the album needed. Now if we could just get more than one Wu-Tang member to produce a solid solo album in a year, we'd be back to where we were in the golden era.

6. Bitte Orca - Dirty Projectors
Stillness Is The Move
Bitte Orca has become the album I most often find myself returning to in 2009, which is funny because it took me a really long time to get into it. I had absolutely no idea who the Dirty Projectors were until this year, and I don't even know how I'd describe their sound. They've got this great vocal folk-pop-rock kind of sound, but there are parts of the album that are really funky with some heavy guitar too. I think the group has a ton of talent, and if you're able to get into the album it can be a really rewarding listen. Beyonce's sister Solange has actually done a really great cover of "Stillness is the Move", so the band must be getting more mainstream recognition.

5. A Strange Arrangement - Mayer Hawthorne
Just Ain't Gonna Work Out
Mayer Hawthorne started out as a side project of one DJ Haircut. He had recorded a couple of Motown style tracks for fun, singing and playing all the instruments, not thinking it they would ever be released. He was quickly signed to Stones Throw who planned to release the tracks as well as a full album. I'll be the first to admit that there are far too many throwback soul type albums coming out, but this album is well worth your time. I love "Just Ain't Gonna Work Out" (those drums being a nod to Dilla's "Fall In Love"), and the horn drenched "Maybe So, Maybe No". Knowing Stones Throw, I anticipate hearing more of these tracks to be either remixed or used on other albums. This is definitely an album for the whole family, from your grandmother down to your youngest cousin.

(Bonus content: Check out his live cover of Paper Plains around 1:25)

4. Wolfgang Amadeos Phoenix - PhoenixLisztomania
Definitely my favourite album for the car this summer (and not because "1901" was featured in a Cadillac SRX commercial). I checked the band out based largely on hype, and seeing them perform on Saturday Night Live. I absolutely dug Wolfgang Amadeos Phoenix after my first listen, and have been recommending it to people ever since. The album is definitely a bit front heavy (I think the first three tracks are my favourite) but I also really enjoy the instrumental middle section that sets up the second half. It's an exciting, and fun album to listen to. It almost reminded me of the first time I heard the Strokes.

3. Yes! - k-os
I Wish I Knew Natalie Portman
Every time k-os puts out an album, I'm secretly afraid that it'll be the one I decide I don't like. Not a problem this year, as YES! has probably become my favourite k-os album. It's much more of a "back to roots" style hip-hop album, with a lot of the tracks having basis in drum machines and samples. What makes this a k-os album is his ability to flush out ideas with a lot of live instrumentation. It sounds like a simple formula, but it's not easy to do. It's albums like this (and Q-Tip's The Renaissance last year), that make me excited for where hip-hop can go. What makes Yes! even cooler is that he provided all of the multi track stems from his album, to let you remix and add to the songs.

2. Double Booked - Robert Glasper
All Matter
There are few subjects I rant about more than the general perception that jazz is soft or relaxing music. What I love about Robert Glasper's albums, and in particular Double Booked, is how well he covers different styles of jazz. He can do the traditional jazz trio stuff, but at the same time do more funk or hip-hop based jazz fusion. Double Booked is split perfectly into these two worlds. There are all kinds of musical easter eggs here for hip-hop fans too, like using Dilla's "F*%^ the Police" drums over the group's cover of Herbie Hancock's "Butterfly", or how on Thelonious Monk's "Think of One" Glasper mixes in Ahmad Jamal's "Swahililand" known by hop-hop heads as being De La Soul's "Stakes Is High" sample. As much as I love Robert Glasper's creative energy and piano playing, half of what I love about this album is Chris "Daddy" Dave on the drums. ?uestlove is my hero for life, but Chris Dave is one of the greatest drummers I've ever heard.

1. The Ecstatic - Mos Def
Auditorium (Feat. Slick Rick)
Mos Def fans have been waiting for the true followup to Black On Both Sides for years. When I heard Mos would be using beats from Madlib and Oh No (both on Stones Throw), and that he had a track with Slick Rick (the ruler!) I got pretty freaking ecstatic (pun intended) about the album. It has a great mix of "foreign" sounding tracks, with Oh No providing some Turkish funk beats, and Madlib using tracks from his Beat Konducta in India album, which provided a great backdrop for one of the best Slick Rick story telling verses in a while (listen above). Another high point for me was hearing Mos Def rap over the Brazillian "Casa Forte" (on the album as Casa Bey), which has so many musical changeups throughout the track that it should be impossible to rap over. Mos' attack of something this complicated really gives you an idea for where his head is and how dedicated he is to his music right now. With his rumored involvement in the new Gorillaz project, as well as various other group projects (there's always hope we'll get another Blackstar album), I'm excited for where Mos will find himself on my best of 2010 list.

Honourable Mentions:

The Foreign Exchange (Label)
In 2003 Phonte (from Little Brother) and Dutch producer Nicolay, teamed up to form The Foreign Exchange, releasing thier debut album Connected on BBE. This year for their followup album Leave It All Behind they opted to start their own label. The album features more singing and less rapping than Connected had, but also landed them a Grammy nod for best Urban Alternative performance (which may be new favourite category). Along with their own album, Nicolay released an album of instrumentals City Lights Vol. 2: Shibuya. New labelmate, school teacher and sometimes collaberator Zo! also put out a free EP ...Just Visiting Too. All of these are fantastic, and I look forward to more from these artists in 2010.

Go Here and download their Grammy nominated song "Daykeeper" for free.

Three Solid hip-hop albums I enjoyed this year
None of these made it into my top 10, but I still spent much of the year listening to, and running to these albums...
Brooklynati - Tanya Morgan
Born Like This - DOOM (formerly MF DOOM)
Jay Stay Paid - J Dilla

I've been getting kind of annoyed at various blogs and magazines for skimping on best of 2009 coverage in favour of "best of the decade" lists. The more I think about it the more I realize that they've likely been working on these decade lists for a month or more. I wish I'd put some thought into the decade before December.

Anyway, as stated before, my best of the decade list will come in January. I'm hoping to up my best of 2009 list sometime this week. Until then I've done a scan of NME and Pitchfork's decade lists, and noted how many of their albums I actually have. I encourage all of you to browse through the lists even though I consider both Pitchfork and NME to be fairly snobby and full of crap.

NME's THE TOP 100 GREATEST ALBUMS OF THE DECADE

98 Gorillaz Deamon Days
80 Danger Mouse Grey Album
75 The Shins Chutes Too Narrow
73 Broken Social Scene you Forgot It In People
71 Brian Wilson Smile
60 Green Day American Idiot
57 OutKast Stankonia
56 My Morning Jacket Z
51 The Good The Bad And the Queen S/T
49 Muse Absolution
44 Outkast Speakerboxxx / The Love Below
42 Vampire Weekend S/T
33 Arcade Fire Neon Bible
31 Bright Eyes I'm Wide Awake It's Morning
28 Johnny Cash The Man Comes Around
27 Amy Winehouse Back To Black
22 Jay-Z The Blueprint
20 Blur Think Tank
19 The White Stripes White Blood Cells
18 The White Stripes Elephant
16 The Streets A Grand Don’t Come For Free
15 Queens Of The Stone Age Songs For The Deaf
14 Radiohead Kid A
13 The Shins Wincing The Night Away
12 At The Drive-In Relationship Of Command
10 Radiohead In Rainbows
09 The Streets Original Pirate Material
07 Arcade Fire Funeral
04 Arctic Monkeys Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not
01 The Strokes Is This It

(I scored a 30%)


Pitchfork's Top 200 Albums of the 2000s

183. Arctic Monkeys Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not
169. Common Like Water for Chocolate
162. Wu-Tang Clan The W
146. My Morning Jacket Z
140. TV on the Radio Dear Science
134. Queens of the Stone Age Songs for the Deaf
133. Erykah Badu New Amerykah Part One: 4th World War
129. The Streets A Grand Don't Come for Free
119. Eminem The Marshall Mathers LP
118. The Beta Band Hot Shots II
115. The Shins Oh, Inverted World
112. Feist The Reminder
104. The Postal Service Give Up
101. Franz Ferdinand Franz Ferdinand
090. Jay-Z The Black Album
087. Kanye West Graduation
082. Beck Sea Change
066. J Dilla Donuts
056. Dirty Projectors Bitte Orca
052. Clipse Hell Hath No Fury
051. Vampire Weekend Vampire Weekend
046. The Shins Chutes Too Narrow
045. Fugazi The Argument
044. D'Angelo Voodoo
042. Grizzly Bear Veckatimest
036. The Streets Original Pirate Material
034. Radiohead Amnesiac
031. TV on the Radio Return to Cookie Mountain
028. Kanye West The College Dropout
025. Madvillain Madvillainy
023. Broken Social Scene You Forgot It in People
021. Radiohead In Rainbows
018. Kanye West Late Registration
013. OutKast Stankonia
012. The White Stripes White Blood Cells
011. Ghostface Killah Supreme Clientele
007. The Strokes Is This It
005. Jay-Z The Blueprint
002. Arcade Fire Funeral
001. Radiohead Kid A

(I scored a 20%)

We're now well into December, and between not having done any shopping for Christmas, and being a bit perplexed as to what happened to my massive Five Thoughts Vol 300 post (which somehow vanished after being published), I've got two major themes running through my head
- Best Albums of 2009
- Best Albums of the Decade

I definitely forgot that I'd be in Best of the Decade territory this year. I might hold off on that list until January when I can give 2000 to 2009 it's proper due without overshadowing 2009 as a year. I've been disappointed a few times this year, but pleasantly surprised with a few new discoveries.

Anyway, you'll all get to read about it sometime next week when I bother to finish writing and post my list. The plan is to keep a backup copy as a text file somewhere, so when blogger magically deletes a post, I'll be able to quickly recover it.

BR4D out!

... what happened to my blog update....? It was published but disappeared...

Well, at this point it should be painfully obvious to everyone that I have not lived up to any promises made about blog updates in months. I had most of my 300th "Five Thoughts" written and was down to editing it, when my life became the equivalent of that snowstorm from the old Rankin/Bass Rudolph special, where elves and presents were being blown all over the place and they almost had to cancel Christmas. Work got busy, and then more busy, and then more busy, and then I went on vacation, and the more I thought about blogging the less interested I was in doing it.

Now that things have settled down more, I'm planning on getting my blog updates published (had a few post ideas on the go). While I won't be cancelling Christmas (see previous Rankin/Bass reference), I have decided to abandon my weekly "Five Thoughts" section. It was a lot to keep up with, and was mostly replaced by my twitter account. It started out as a place to dump my randomly awesome ICQ away messages and served as a great way to update people on my thought patterns, but it just became too much to maintain, and the payoff wasn't really that big (I know I have somewhere between 5 and 8 actual followers of my blog out there).

I'll still keep my blog going, and probably use it as a place to rant about baseball, elaborate on music I love, and occasionally provide a glance into my life. I have several personal music recording projects I'd like to get off the ground, and this would be a great place to document all of that.

It's a new world for BR4D's blog, and you all just live in it.