Albums of the Year '98 |
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It has been a very good year for music. I have mostly been spinning hip hop, soul and reggae music. Excellent albums by Gang Starr, Mystik Journeymen, Method Man, RZA as Bobby Digital, Naked Music New York, R Kelly, and finally, the glittering solo album by Sparkle have constantly been on the decks. From Jamaica there were numerous outstanding releases, Mr Vegas, Sizzla and Beenie Man to mention but a few.
The list of the year could easily be 25 albums long, but a Top 10 is more interesting, because one have to consider what it is that actually makes a good album. Is it the album that is seen as most ground breaking? Or well received by the journalists? I donīt know, but I think that it is more interesting to learn what the journalist have been spinning in their home's after they have finished working, then reading the general listing of the whole staff. With this in mind, I would like to introduce Tricky Mickeyīs personal selection of the most played Albums of the Year 1998.
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1. LAURYN HILL The Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill
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Lauryn Hill is more talented than the rest of The Fugees put together. She is singing, rapping, writing and producing and the result is more than outstanding. In songs about her children, ex-lovers and crossroads in life she brings us music which has both beauty and insight. Lauryn Hill ruled soul music this year.
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2. OZOMATLI Ozomatli
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Word on Ozomatli's dynamic live performances in San Francisco reached Europe long before their solid and anticipated debut album was released on a major label. Ozomatli had a hard to get EP for sale at their gigs. The music on the new album is a mixture of Latin music and hip hop beats melted into a irresistible groove. Jurassic 5's Cut Chemist and Chali 2na gives a hip hop edge to the Latin grooves, the horn players and vocals in Spanish counterpoints the hip hop beats.
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3. BLACK STAR Mos Def and Kweli are Black Star
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Known as Black Star on their single, Definition, they reused an old BDP loop from the P is Free but nevertheless it was still fresh, as Mos Def and Kweli traded verses, adding new dimension to the track. While Mos shined rasta style on the hook and throughout the majority of the song, Kweli stole the show lyrically with actual facts that you know are true, but would never think to say in a rhyme, such as "Brooklyn New York City, where they paint murals of Biggie...."
What you will find on the album is a series of mood pieces by Mos Def and Talib Kweli. Musically, the album presents a series of tracks that stay on a similar, mellow vibe throughout. Most of the songs deliver a deeper and sometimes spiritual meaning. Such is the case on Thieves in The Night which explores industry shiestiness, or Respiration which joins the dynamic duo with Chi-town prodigy, Common. Mos with the voice and Kweli with the lyrics makes Black Star an excellent team.
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4. MICA PARIS Black Angel
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UKīs soul diva no 1 with an album full of sweet soul songs backed up by a hip hop influenced production. A holiday romance for the walkman.
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5. PETE ROCK Soul Survivour
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Pete Rock is back with a consistent album of good production and collaborations. Pete Rockīs ability to produce plain good hip-hop beats for someone like Method Man, darker tracks for artists like Ghostface Killah really show his versality as an artist and producer.
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6. PULP This Is Hardcore
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Itīs Ok to grow up - just as long as you donīt grow old, it says on the cover. A journey to the heart of darkness. Jarvis Cocker has made one of 1998īs most intelligent albums about love and pain.
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7. BLACK EYED PEAS Behind The Front
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They could party like demons on Joints and Jam. Block-rock like bastards and intellectualize like The Roots. Along with Jurassic 5 they brought the joy back to hip hop.
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8. JAHMALI El Shaddai
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| Acoustic reggae. A convincing and strong debut album from a great singer. |
9. LUCINDA WILLIAMS Car Wheels On A Gravel Road
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| This is one of the most soulful albums of the year. It has nothing to do with soul music, but it has a lot to do about love and facing life. |
10. RAE & CHRISTIAN Northern Sulphuric Soul
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| A landmark recording with guest appearances by The Jungle Brothers, Jeru The Damaja, Texas and outstanding chanteuse Veba. Rae and Christian bridged the line between sweet soul and hip hop, and they did this without cutting cover versions of old soul standards. |
1. JOYCE The Essential Joyce 1970-1996
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Aldeia de Ogum is the legendary scat song which has become an anthem in London's jazz clubs. Listen out for the bass line and guitar riffs and the amazing scat from Joyce. The original LP has been very sough after. Thanks to the people at Mr Bongos records the rare song has finally become available again on this excellent 23 track compilation. The highlights of a long career is included on this flawless introduction to the jazzy folk songs of Joyce.
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2. SMOKEY ROBINSON The Ulitimate Collection
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Smokey, ah Smokey. The best of the best. 17 songs from Smokey's solo years 1973-1990. Cruisin' which DīAngelo did a sensual cover of on his album Brown Sugar, Quiet Storm with itīs whispering synth arrangement and the vibrant Agony and Ecstasy.
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3. SIZZLA Reggae Max
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Jet Star Records have delivered a killer Sizzla album, not only for those who have a growing interest in the work of reggae's hottest roots sensation but also for many of his devoted fans. This set mainly focusses on many of Sizzla's hotly sought after 7" releases for a variety of ace producers like Bobby "Digital", Richard Bell, "Fatis" Burrell, Soljie and Barry O'Hare. Wicked, essential and unreservedly recommended
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4. PHOTEK Form and Function
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Remixed versions of early singles. Photek proves once again that he is making music for the next millennium, rather than for the dance floor of today. Dark, hard and sometimes inaccessible music, but worth the effort in the long run.
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5. JOHNNY OSBORNE Nightfall Showcase
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A Johnny Osbourne set from the early eighties, produced by Linval Thompson, recorded at Channel One, and mixed at King Tubby's. Most backing is done by the Roots Radics. Nightfall Showcase puts forth 10 incredible tracks plus heavy dubs and versions. Nightfall Showcase is a dancehall galore in a Roots Radics fashion. Essential.
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of the Year
1. SPARKLE with R KELLY Be Careful
Rock Land/Interscope
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2. DILATED PEOPLES Work The Angels/The Man Event/Triple Optics
ABB Records
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3. PETE ROCK feat Inspectah Deck & Kurupt Tru Master
Loud/RCA
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4. BEENIE MAN Who Am I
Jet Star
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5. BOBBY WOMACK Across 110th Street
Ryko Disc
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6. T-LOVE Return of The B-Girl/Wanna-Beez/LA to Brooklyn
Pickininny Recordings
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7. ALL CITY The Actual/Pricele$$
Loud/RCA
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8. 4 HERO Star Chasers Masters At Work Main Mix/Yorican Dub
Talkin' Loud
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9. DEFARI Never Lose Touch
Tommy Boy Records
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10. JURASSIC 5 EP Jayou/Lesson 6: The Lecture/Concrete Schoolyard
Rumble
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1997
1998
1999
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2002
2003
2004
The Homepage. 1997-1998 by Mickey.