Shad - The Fool Pt. 1

Welcome back. Where you was s'posed to be all along.

Shad - Brother

The new host of Q... ya buddy.

Shad & Skratch Bastid - Outta My Head

There isn't an official video for this one, or any of the tracks from that great EP that these two did together, which is really a shame since it's a great disc. So here's a random video of some dude's afternoon walking around New York. It'll have to do.

Shad - Fam Jam

Didn't like much of the production on this album, but his lyrics are always killer. This track stood out for me.

Best of 2013 Part 6

Into the top 6, the best of the best, my favorite albums of the year!

#6

Tim Hecker

Virgins

A brilliant composer of ambient electronic music, Hecker is originally from Vancouver but for the past fifteen or so years has called Montreal home. His work has been lauded by critics and fans alike for some time now, with his previous album, "Ravedeath, 1972", taking home a Juno award in 2011. Most would have picked that album as his best work. Surely now this changes things.

This is a superb effort, a dark essay beyond time and space, delving deep in the mind beyond what almost any other contemporary ambient musician is capable of conjuring. That isn't to say that this is an entirely negative experience, just one that requires a good deal of thought and concentration to fully comprehend and enjoy. It's only this challenge that keeps this album from higher up the list, but in terms of scope and musicality it is second to none.

Black Refraction

Virginal II

Radiance

#5

The Drones

I See Seaweed

This troupe hail from Australia, as clearly evident by the distinct twang in lead singer Gareth Liddiard's voice. Their name is quite apt given their sound - droning garage rock. They've established quite a decent following, especially since their excellent 2005 album "Wait Long By The River...", but inclusion of this album on many of this year's best-of lists should ensure a level of international popularity they've not quite achieved until now.

A good description for this might be garage opera. It's dramatic, slow moving, verbose, and terrifically intense. Shades of Pink Floyd are found in Liddiard's enticing lyrics, and his poetry is a highlight, with the gnashing guitars stepping in to bring the tension to a head. It's dark, gloomy, and absolutely memorable.

I See Seaweed

How To See Through Fog

Nine Eyes

#4

The Knife

Shaking The Habitual

On first listen it was obvious this album would be on the list somewhere come the year's end, the only question was where. There simply isn't anything else that sounds remotely like it. It's an astonishing work of experimental electronic techno rock, clocking in at over 90 minutes on two discs. I won't pretend it's an easy listen, but it's very, very impressive.

The Swedish duo found widespread acclaim with their last album "Silent Shout", seven long years have passed since then and this album is vastly different. Warbling synthesizer notes and complex percussive rhythms keep it pulsing forwards, with crunchy ambient distortion crawling around in the background to fill up the space. Once again this album is intensely dark, and feels both distracted and cohesive all at once, kind of like Bjork on steroids. Highly recommended.

A Tooth For An Eye

Full Of Fire

Stay Out Here

EP #2

Shad & Skratch Bastid

The Spring Up

I really haven't enjoyed most of the hip-hop put out this year, and even Shad's full length album "Flying Colours" was underwhelming. Maybe my taste just isn't evolving with the times, or maybe the advancement of electronic experimentation has just led production in a different direction, but this EP, produced by Halifax DJ supreme Skratch Bastid (with some input from Jazzy Jeff), was undoubtedly my favorite of the genre from the year. The tracks are clean and groovy, and Shad's lyricism feels perfectly framed. My only complaint is that it's not longer.

Homie

Outta My Head

Classic

Six parts down, one to go! Back in a few short hours...

Smalltown Romeo - Boom Ha

Featuring the one and only Shadrach Kabango on the vocal licks.

Shad - Stylin'

New track from Shad. He was pretty dope live at Folly Fest. This one is produced by Skratch Bastid and features Saukrates. Best rapper in Canada? At least.

Best of 2012 Part 2

Make haste, not waste! On we go...

#18

Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars

Radio Salone

From the west side of Africa come the Refugee All Stars, who are not so named merely for effect. The faces of these wonderful musicians tell stories of hardship, but their words ask only for love. I suppose the proper way to categorize their sound is 'world music', but what on earth does that mean anyway? Reggae, soul, calypso, and all kinds of funky percussive grooves color this excellent album, their third LP.

The production on this one is smooth and subtle and frames the playful nature of the third world jams nicely. Like most such ensemble bands, however, one gets the impression that seeing them live would by a truly exceptional experience. That they are such huge supporters of the humanitarian efforts in their home land only adds to the feel-good factor so vibrant throughout this release. The sun shines through this one.

Big Fat Dog

Kali

Mother In Law

#17

Wax Tailor

Dusty Rainbow From The Dark

One of the masters of sample-based production is Jean-Christophe Le Saoût, yet another French trip hop genius. Initially a hip hop DJ, his skills on the turntable resonate clearly in a sound that has progressed methodically over the best part of the last decade culminating in this story board conceptual album complete with dramatic narration voiced by Don McCorkindale.

The record features a bevy of other guest vocalists including Sara Genn, Jennifer Charles, and American soul supremo Aloe Blacc. Not forgetting his roots, hip hop lyricist Daryl Parks, aka Mattic, also takes the lead on a couple memorable tracks. Though a couple singles were released this one is best appreciated as a whole, and the running time of 47 minutes feels just about right. Did I mention the stop-motion octopus?

Time To Go

Heart Stop

Magic Numbers

#16

Hermitude

HyperParadise

Another spin around the production line, this time with Australian duo Angus Stuart and Luke Dubber. Unbeknownst to many (myself included), these cats have been globe trotting for several years now in support of other acts but with this latest release have started to emerge as legitimate front-liners themselves. Primarily exponents of hip hop in the past, their new album is a far cry from that, sporting an eclectic mix of instrumental glitch hop, groovy trip hop, and big beat funk.

While the track order seems a little off and as consequently makes the pacing a bit jarring, as a collection of songs it stands very strongly among its peers. The big single "Speak Of The Devil" is a bona fide dance floor killer and there a half dozen other tracks that would fit nicely in an electro funk playlist. This is very promising stuff and hopefully we don't have to wait another four years for their next album.

The Villain

Speak Of The Devil

Get In My Life

EP #6

Shad

Melancholy And The Infinite Shadness

Clocking in at barely 11 minutes in length, this is a brief yet highly entertaining release from one of Canada's foremost hip hop engineers. Following up on his excellent album "TSOL", this short five track EP gives us a glimpse of what is to come when he drops his next LP some time in the coming year. Shad is notorious for featuring top notch production and once again he kills it with this one. It's not easy to fit as much cool into ten minutes as this release accomplishes, give it a whirl next time you're stuck in traffic. You might even get through it twice.

A Milli Vanilli

It Ain't Over

Old Prince

P-p-p-p-part 3 a demain!

Shad - I Don't Like To

Moving on into Ontario we come to Shadrach Kabango, aka Shad. Born in Kenya, but raised in London, Ontario. He's now out west studying a masters degree, but still finds time to pop out albums and do some occasional touring around. This dude's been compared to K-Os and Common, but he reminds me of Kanye West. He performed at last year's Harvest Jazz & Blues Festival here in Fredericton, and he's the next contestant on Canadian Hip Hop week here on the blog.

Another good one here. You'll like it.