Haha, I like the thread idea, The Essence Album of the Year thread that will drop on Wednesday should really fill in the blanks, but as a pre-Album of the Year thread, these are the ones I think you've missed, although you seem to be pretty much on it as much as most here :tu
Trek Life - Wouldn't Change Nothing
LA based Trek Life was blessed with production from Oddissee and Apollo Brown for this Mello Music Group effort. The remix album of the previously released 'Everything Changed Nothing,' features production from Audible Doctor who produced 'Battle Cry' for Joel Ortiz. I feel the production was outstanding all the way through on this release (as most Mello Music Group releases seem to be), it's one of those albums that can be in the playlist and continue to play all the way through.
On another note, as time goes on, it's really apparent that Mello Music Group is a great label with great producers and talents coming through - with an endless list of talents including Finale, Kenn Starr, Has-Lo, Boog Brown, Diamond District, The Left, Declaime, Hassaan Mackey and more.
With tracks like 'As The World Turns', 'What it is' with production from Apollo Brown, So L.A. and the album-titled track, 'Wouldn't Change Nothing,' this release is deserving of at least a nomination for album of the year…
Torae - For the Record
You Ready? Is the question Torae asks on the hard hitting track from his 2011 effort, For The Record. Torae provides great rhymes over nice production from Pete Rock, DJ Premier, Diamond D and Large Professor; to those Torae labels "new legends," 9th Wonder, Khrysis, Fatin, Illmind, Eric G., Marco Polo and Nottz (producer list taken from UGHH). With a producer line up as nice as that, you can't really knit pick, 'this shit crazy'. Especially if you're into Torae's subject matter and old school style, can't really knock this release, although it's not my typical hip hop listen.
Pharoahe Monch - W.A.R (We Are Renegades)
Nujabes - Spiritual State
A recent entry, but perhaps the greatest in this list. Spiritual State picks up where Nujabes life left us… and with perhaps the help of Uyama Hiroto, this posthumous release isn't far behind (if at all) Nujabes previous efforts. A stronger second half of the album seems to be the case given the first six or seven listens, but it doesn't change the fact that the album plays nicely throughout and is a real chilled out listen that takes you on a journey as only Nujabes could. THIS IS A MUST.
Median - The Sender
Median really showed off his skills with this release, the beat selection to the content, this was a true sleeper of 2011. Phonte stopped by a few times as well as Bahamadia, Rapsody and others. If there's anything that I could say that would be negative about the album, it'd be that the whole album is thorough, solid and great - but there's no outstanding track. A great release nonetheless.
Lushlife - No More Golden Days
I first heard Lushlife with Cassette City in 2009, when Traestar put me on to his latest release being released, I just had to get it! I bought it blind and was really impressed with what I got. Lushlife is one of the most underrated beatsmiths. An outstanding sleeper of 2011.
Atmosphere - The Family Sign
Apollo Brown - Clouds
Massively overlooked here in The Essence, yet deserving of its place alongside this years best, Apollo Brown's Clouds reaches instrumental heaven. The Left's producer who has been working on beats since '96, is only just beginning to break through as an emerging producer. Having had a very successful 2010 with the release of Gas Mask and The Reset, Apollo has stayed close to the boards all year, releasing not just Clouds, but a collaboration project with Haasan Mackay; entitled Daily Bread as well. Clouds showcases the creativity Apollo possesses, mixing old vocals and rhythms effortlessly. One moment we're in the 1930s awaiting World War II on the albums intro, 'Sound of Guns.' The next we're listening to a laid back drum pattern and we're on our way to a treat, particularly on 'Never In A Million Years,' which shines as one of the best beats the album has to offer. If Gas Mask-esque beats was what you were looking for though, see 'Drinking Life' for the daunting sirens and awakening samples. Tao Te Ching takes the reigns as the best this beat CD has to offer, although 'Imagination' comes close; this mellow beat followed by the trumpet sample is flawless. Apollo Brown is likely to bring some great releases over the coming year, he's certainly not dropped the baton yet.
The Roots - Undun (Depending on whether you just omitted this for it being a commercial release, it's incredible!!!)
I'll edit this post with reasons for the albums with missing descriptions :tu
Trek Life - Wouldn't Change Nothing
LA based Trek Life was blessed with production from Oddissee and Apollo Brown for this Mello Music Group effort. The remix album of the previously released 'Everything Changed Nothing,' features production from Audible Doctor who produced 'Battle Cry' for Joel Ortiz. I feel the production was outstanding all the way through on this release (as most Mello Music Group releases seem to be), it's one of those albums that can be in the playlist and continue to play all the way through.
On another note, as time goes on, it's really apparent that Mello Music Group is a great label with great producers and talents coming through - with an endless list of talents including Finale, Kenn Starr, Has-Lo, Boog Brown, Diamond District, The Left, Declaime, Hassaan Mackey and more.
With tracks like 'As The World Turns', 'What it is' with production from Apollo Brown, So L.A. and the album-titled track, 'Wouldn't Change Nothing,' this release is deserving of at least a nomination for album of the year…
Torae - For the Record
You Ready? Is the question Torae asks on the hard hitting track from his 2011 effort, For The Record. Torae provides great rhymes over nice production from Pete Rock, DJ Premier, Diamond D and Large Professor; to those Torae labels "new legends," 9th Wonder, Khrysis, Fatin, Illmind, Eric G., Marco Polo and Nottz (producer list taken from UGHH). With a producer line up as nice as that, you can't really knit pick, 'this shit crazy'. Especially if you're into Torae's subject matter and old school style, can't really knock this release, although it's not my typical hip hop listen.
Pharoahe Monch - W.A.R (We Are Renegades)
Lou Cypher said:
Nujabes - Spiritual State
A recent entry, but perhaps the greatest in this list. Spiritual State picks up where Nujabes life left us… and with perhaps the help of Uyama Hiroto, this posthumous release isn't far behind (if at all) Nujabes previous efforts. A stronger second half of the album seems to be the case given the first six or seven listens, but it doesn't change the fact that the album plays nicely throughout and is a real chilled out listen that takes you on a journey as only Nujabes could. THIS IS A MUST.
Median - The Sender
Median really showed off his skills with this release, the beat selection to the content, this was a true sleeper of 2011. Phonte stopped by a few times as well as Bahamadia, Rapsody and others. If there's anything that I could say that would be negative about the album, it'd be that the whole album is thorough, solid and great - but there's no outstanding track. A great release nonetheless.
Lushlife - No More Golden Days
I first heard Lushlife with Cassette City in 2009, when Traestar put me on to his latest release being released, I just had to get it! I bought it blind and was really impressed with what I got. Lushlife is one of the most underrated beatsmiths. An outstanding sleeper of 2011.
Atmosphere - The Family Sign
Ty The Great said:
Apollo Brown - Clouds
Massively overlooked here in The Essence, yet deserving of its place alongside this years best, Apollo Brown's Clouds reaches instrumental heaven. The Left's producer who has been working on beats since '96, is only just beginning to break through as an emerging producer. Having had a very successful 2010 with the release of Gas Mask and The Reset, Apollo has stayed close to the boards all year, releasing not just Clouds, but a collaboration project with Haasan Mackay; entitled Daily Bread as well. Clouds showcases the creativity Apollo possesses, mixing old vocals and rhythms effortlessly. One moment we're in the 1930s awaiting World War II on the albums intro, 'Sound of Guns.' The next we're listening to a laid back drum pattern and we're on our way to a treat, particularly on 'Never In A Million Years,' which shines as one of the best beats the album has to offer. If Gas Mask-esque beats was what you were looking for though, see 'Drinking Life' for the daunting sirens and awakening samples. Tao Te Ching takes the reigns as the best this beat CD has to offer, although 'Imagination' comes close; this mellow beat followed by the trumpet sample is flawless. Apollo Brown is likely to bring some great releases over the coming year, he's certainly not dropped the baton yet.
The Roots - Undun (Depending on whether you just omitted this for it being a commercial release, it's incredible!!!)
I'll edit this post with reasons for the albums with missing descriptions :tu
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