Completely Random Thoughts Vol. 2: 'Album Of The Year?'

{NOTE: THE NAME OF MY CHOICE OF ALBUM OF THE YEAR (WHATEVER THE HELL IT IS) DOES NOT APPEAR ANYWHERE IN THIS POST}

What is the album of the year???

So what is the best Reggae album of 2009? Of course it is a question that I’ll be addressing in a matter of weeks. I’m actually going to wait until the New Year, just so I can get an opportunity to take even more material into consideration (in particular, I’d like to tabulate the contributions of the Belizean contingent before my final decision is made) and I may even wait a week or two deep into January before I do so, but that hasn’t been the case for everyone, thankfully and lists have been popping up here and there all around. iTunes actually begin to announce last week (I THINK) that they had chosen none other than Buzzrock Warrior by the inescapable Jahdan Blakkamore. Of course I have a little bit (A LOT) to say about this. But first I think I should also mention the fact that the very respected Allmusic.com also ranked the same album SECOND on their list of twenty which was pretty amazing considering the fact that, first of all they reviewed it at 3.5/5 (but that’s what they rate everything). Oh and then there’s that whole thing that it WASN’T A REGGAE ALBUM! The album was essentially Hip-Hop and I might even go as far as to label it this new sheik term ‘Caribbean Hip-Hop’ (which I like (the term that is) because it makes the distinction between such a thing and ‘Caribbean Dancehall’) or even that Drum & Bass stuff famous with the UK masses. And in REALLY trying to think of why exactly that album has found such an acceptance and such an audience I’ve kind of arrived at a sticking point I believe. First of all this is in no way to bash Jahdan’s standing whatsoever. In my opinion, from the beginning of 2009 until the end, it has been his name which has resonated the loudest amongst relatively ‘new’ artists (solo artist in his case) and I full expect at this time next year (if I am still so inclined) to be considering exactly where to put his debut Reggae album on my very own list. Jahdan is wicked. But I didn’t like ’Buzzrock’ very much and the reason why was because it was largely . . . Well, as I said, it wasn’t really Reggae music. And still it appears as high as it does. I think ultimately in dealing with both iTunes and Allmusic, both of which are FAR more mainstream than I am (the last pure Rap song that I liked was probably ‘One Mic’ from Nas and you tell me how long ago that was), the fact that the album had so much Hip-Hop connotations within it was a reason why it ranked so high with them. Also, like I said, Jahdan is WELL talented and I even see that talent within ‘Buzzrock’, I just can’t wait to see it MORE and on a full Reggae release which Lustre Kings should deliver next year.

Incidentally, Allmusic.com’s actual choice for Reggae album of the year was, not surprisingly, Buju Banton’s Rasta Got Soul, which was the perfect blend of big name artist and actual substance of an album that you would think would garner such accolades and that’s an album which will also be on my list (Buju’s subsequent alleged foolishness not withstanding) somewhere. VERY interesting, however, is what ranks as third on the same list, Modern Revolution from Sojah (renamed and re-released with their solo names, as Delus & Konshens). The album should make my list at some point also, but I was damn near shocked to see it on AM’s list and hopefully it’s a sign that it’s done well commercially. The buzz around the album was quite high for awhile, but I think it’s died down considerably and I love to see albums like that and particularly that one which so much grabbed my attention earlier in the year. A scan down the rest of AM’s list reveals a pretty basic and expected heap of releases, two of which will certainly make my list and probably in the top half also.

And I thought I’d go back and search through my own history to see what I chose as the album of the year, ever since I’ve been doing it (way back in 2001) {note: In some cases my pick was an album which is now disqualified by my rules (which exclude any type of compilations and/or re-releases), so I’ve instead chosen the next highest ranking qualified entry} {note 2: my cousin also had input on the first three (I THINK) (maybe just two) lists here} and a brief take on where my feelings currently lie:

• 2001 - Halfway Tree by Damian Marley. SHAMEFULLY my list from that year also includes Broken Promises by Foxy Brown! [Your laugh here] That aside, you could also make a case for Music Is Life from Beres and DEFINITELY Turbulence’s Rising album which may just be on its way to becoming a ‘modern classic’ any day now.

• 2002 - Da Real Thing by Sizzla Kalonji. In terms of albums that qualify the only legitimate case that can be made here in retrospect would be for Still Blazin. A very strong case actually and I’d have no problem should you want to call it the best or a tie. I’m still sticking with Da Real Thing, however, by the slimmest of margins.

• 2003 - Ghetto Life by Jah Cure. If you’re thinking that it was a compilation, fine. The next qualifying release would be King Man by Everton Blender. Turbulence’s Join Us was also here and that would be another choice, but if Ghetto Life qualifies (and I make the rules dammit!), then certainly there can be no question: Not by the Blender, Turbulence, Buju, Wayne Wonder or even Kartel.

• 2004 - Away From Babylon by Queen Omega. I don’t know when the last time was I did a modern classic feature (need to take care of that don’t I???), but to give you an idea how strong 2004 was in retrospect, two of the however many of them I’ve done to this point (I think 13???) come from this list and another THREE someday will if I continue long enough. A case for best album of 2004 can also be made for Jah Mason’s Never Give Up, Luciano’s Serious Times, of course Reign Of Fire by Capleton, Love Has No Boundaries from Beres and the WICKED Gangsta Blues from Tanya “bloodclaat” Stephens, which appeared on my list numbered 2-6, respectively.

• 2005 - Lava Ground by I Wayne. Although I feel ultimately it’s only a three horse race, this year had some pretty strong releases from the likes of Assassin, Junior Kelly, Natty King and of course Jr. Gong (‘Welcome To Jamrock’ year). But in the end the only legitimate claims to the title other than I Wayne can be made by Lutan Fyah with Time & Place and Anthony B’s criminally underrated and overlooked My Hope album.

• 2006 - Phantom War by Lutan Fyah. BIG YEAR. The top three here were pretty consistent for quite a few people in varying sequences, although the fourth album in line, Sizzla’s Waterhouse Redemption also made it into the top three to some observers I recall. The other two claimants were Buju with Too Bad and of course Tanya Stephens with Rebelution. I had the former as third with the latter as second to the EPIC Phantom War which was simply one of the greatest albums I’ve ever heard. Also the list was lightened a bit with efforts from Dancehall bad boys Kartel and Busy Signal (and Cocoa Tea!).

• 2007 - I-Space by Sizzla Kalonji. You know whenever Sizzla does something TRULY great I can’t help but get caught up and that’s exactly what happened in 2007. Still the work of a certain Ras Shiloh can’t go overlooked as he dropped arguably two modern classics of his own with BOTH Coming Home and Only King Selassie and the debate continues as to which was the better of the two.

• 2008 - The Strong One by Etana. In retrospect, I essentially called 2008 a tie between Etana and Lutan Fyah with Africa, which doesn’t actually qualify as it was very much a construct and not in any ‘usual’ Reggae way either. However, there was still a very strong cast of characters ‘giving chase’ to Etana, including Kartel, striking from the far east, Tuff Lion, Harry Mo and Luciano and Prince Malachi. With efforts from Messenjah Selah and DEFINITELY Ziggi growing increasingly crucial to my tastes by the hour.

I’ll also mention my friend Selector Ras Fury, a Lover’s Rock specialist of the highest order, who declared Reggae Ville from UK veteran Peter Hunnigale. Although it most likely won’t make my list, I do have to declare that the album was SWEET SWEET SWEET! So, what say you? What was the best Reggae album you heard in 2009???