I think I’m once again the last one to present his top of the year list. Like last year I’ve tried to limit the list to 10 albums, but thanks to stuff I remembered at the last moment the list will be much longer than I’ve intended it to be.

Anyways without further delay, (because I’ve got some RL projects to work on as well) here’s my top 10 for the year, in some kind of preference order, but I should say that the gap between #1 and #10 is very slight and it’s subject to change on different days.

I’ve reviewed most of these albums before and they’re not new or surprising, but hopefully tomorrow I’ll be making a post about the remaining notable mentions and talk about some new names.

1. Ali Farka Toure - Savane [past review]
This is definitely the best album of the year, already #1 at metacritic. Savane is the grand masterpiece of the true ustad from Mali. If you have some time please please, read this interview with his producer Nick Gold, it gives so much insight about his life, his wisdom, his musicianship and life in Africa. I cannot say how much I connect with this album, even though I can’t understand a word. All of the notes struck are right in place, and I wish everybody will be lucky enough to leave something like this before their time comes.
2. Senor Coconut - Yellow Fever [past review]
3. Rashanim - Shalosh [past review]
Praise Jon Madof, the new Dick Dale, and also S.E. Blumenkranz, the only musician to be featured on 2 albums in this toplist. On this one and Zorn’s Filmworks. Really want to see these guys live.
4. A Hawk and a Hacksaw - The Way the Wind Blows [past review], [Hacking the Balkans], [musicOMH]
5. John Zorn - Filmworks XVIII [past review]
6. Kode 9 and the Spaceape - Memories of the Future [past review], [textura]
If you still haven’t listened to him rap, you will be astonished and terrified at the same time. Hailed as the new Massive Attack by some friends (although I never liked M.A) Kode9’s sinister music is accompanied perfectly by Spaceape. His phrasing, accent and toning is so powerful, it’s as if words come to life when he is around. He should be the spokesman for our generation. “No victory or defeat, Just a burning chalice of deceit.” Minimalist poetry at its best.
7. Nomo - New Tones [past review]
8. Herbert - Scale
9. Beirut - Gulag Orkestar
10. Final Fantasy - He Poos Clouds [past review]

Ali Farka Toure - Soya
Senor Coconut - Rydeen
Rashanim - Cracow Niggun
A Hawk and a Hacksaw - Gadge Sirba
John Zorn - Marking Time
Nomo - One to One
Herbert - Something isn’t right
Beirut - Carousels
Final Fantasy - He poos clouds
Kode 9 and the Spaceape - Kingstown