Beep Beep Boop Boop

It’s always hard to choose favorite albums. I want to rank albums by wholeness, by their ability to move seamlessly from track to track, by the order they were perfectly decided on. Mostly, the only way to come close to those things is to have almost every track just be so catchy I can’t help but play them all, separate or together.

Top 10 Albums of 2009

Zoot Woman: Things are What They Used to Be (self-released)





Miike Snow: Miike Snow (Downtown)





The Whitest Boy Alive: Rules (Bubbles)





Major Lazer: Guns Don’t Kill People, Lazers Do (Mad Decent/Downtown)





The Juan Maclean: The Future Will Come (DFA)





DJ Vadim: U Can’t Lurn Imaginashun (BBE)





Candy Claws: In the Dream of the Sea Life (Indiecater)





Deastro: Moondagger (Ghostly International)





Pugs Atomz: Roof Top (SoFlo)





Nosaj Thing: Drift (Alpha Pup)




Best Comeback

GusGus: 24/7 (Kompakt)




Best Show
Diplo @ the Gargoyle & basement afterparty & ride back to hotel

Some new releases from Ubiquity have made their way to KDHX – and they shouldn’t disappoint anyone who has high standards set for Ubiquity. A label well-known for re-issuing funk and soul, to releasing fresh new sounds, here’s the latest:

PPP: Abundance (Ubiquity)

PPP (formerly known as Platinum Pied Pipers) started with their Detroit-based production work, and have grown into a mature – and varied outfit. Including vocals by Saint Louis’ own Coultrain, this album transcends from funky horns to synth-drenched neo-soul.

James Hardway: LA Instrumental (Ubiquity)

Funk with a little bit of world tinge to it – Hardway wants you to imagine L.A. in the 70s. Take a trip!

Betty Padgett: Betty Padgett (Luv N’ Haight)

Another nod to the 70s (but from the Florida coast), this is a reissue of Padgett’s 1975 release. She worked with Milton Wright to record the entire album in one night, at just 21 years old. A local Ft. Lauderdale station ran an ad for Pepsi to her song, “Sugar Daddy” – how come they couldn’t have used it for the new Pepsi Throwback ads?

Shawn Lee Presents: Soul in the Hole (Ubiquity)

More straightforward than his movie score-esque work as Shawn Lee’s Ping Pong Orchestra, you’ll find plenty of vocals on this album, including some by Paul Butler (of the Bees and Devendra Banhart) the eclectic Darondo, and Nicole Willis.

Clutchy Hopkins Meets Lord Kenjamin: Music Is My Medicine (Ubiquity)

While both Ubiquity and Hopkins’ “representatives” continue to mask the identity of Clutchy Hopkins (and some even suggest it’s Cut Chemist of Ozomatli and Jurassic 5), I guess we’ll just have to continue enjoying his music in speculation. The music, even, has a mysterious groove to it.

Nomo: Invisible Cities (Ubiquity)

Recorded during sessions and tours for their last full-length album, Ghost Rock, Invisible Cities continues to build Nomo’s Afrobeat sound with solid horns and driving bass lines. Rigorous touring has put them through Saint Louis not too long ago; hopefully they’ll swing by again soon.

Hit it! Here are my picks of what’s new in KDHX’s music library (and available other places, too!):

FabricLive.43: Switch & Sinden Present: Get Familiar Mixed by Sinden (Fabric)

This mix (and its longish title) stems from Switch and Sinden’s bi-monthly residency at Fabric Nighclub in London. KDHX got a 30-minute teaser mix that is fresh off the decks – and an eclectic, global dance party. Hey, what DJ wouldn’t want to play in a room with a “bodysonic” dance floor?

Odd Nosdam: T.I.M.E. Soundtrack (Anticon)

It’s easy to hear that this album was made as a soundtrack to an Element Skateboards film. Odd Nosdam scores each track on T.I.M.E. (This is My Element) for a different rider’s style. The laid-back hip hop pulse makes sense for skaters and casual listeners alike. Another stellar release of instrumentals from the Anticon label – and a great pick for music beds.

N.A.S.A. – The Spirit of Apollo (Spectrophonic/Anti-)

Think what you will (Pitchfork) about the 40+ guest appearances on The Spirit of Apollo, the boys from N.A.S.A. sure know how to pack ‘em in. Karen O, Ol’ Dirty Bastard, and Fatlip share the mic on “Strange Enough,” while Tom Waits teams up with Kool Keith for “Spacious Thoughts.” For many of the artists featured on The Spirit of Apollo, this is not their first time collaborating – or even their 50th. If anything, N.A.S.A. (short for North America/South America)showcases a vibrant music community that is all about sharing ideas and remixes.

Various Artists: Nublu Dance (Nublu)

Nublu has grown organically, from live sessions in NYC to a sprouting label. And Nublu Dance seems the most diverse representation they’ve put out so far. While previous Nublu artist releases were easily confined as dance, or world music, Nublu Dance marries the two genres effortlessly while showcasing the label’s artists. Kudu’s “Let’s Finish (Sinden Remix)” is a disco/electro-house classic, while Love Trio’s “Lovers Rock (feat. U-Roy) (Deadbeat Knockout)” is a more laid-back, dubby nod to Tosca. For dance, reggae and other world programmers alike (and another good one for music beds).

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