MY TOP 10 TRACKS of 2011

10. Mark Lanegan Band 'The Gravediggers Song / Burning Jacobs Ladder'
My favorite living singer is returning with a new solo album in 2012! Mark Lanegan simply has a voice like none other. He sings and writes from the deepest, darkest, most beautiful place in the human soul. I love and appreciate every record that he touches and can't wait for this new one...




9. The Weeknd 'Montreal'
I support the way this artist has approached the game and had the musicality to back it up. The best R&B I've ever heard out of Toronto...




8. Jay Z & Kanye West 'Niggas in Paris'
Really, I just love the way these guys are having fun on the album and this song stands out to me. Ball so hard...that sh*t cray!




7. TV on the Radio 'New Cannonball Blues'
I finally got to see these guys live last june in Toronto, and they did not dissapoint. However, the loss of their bass player, Gerrard Smith, 2 days after meeting them at the gig was a hard one. I think they are a band of geniuses that make black music in an indie rock landscape. You just have to be quiet and listen to their incredible writing ability and sound to get it. Kyp Malone goes in hard lyrically on this one...




6. Radiohead 'Seperator'
I used to wonder what all the fuss was about radiohead until I really decided to sit down with 'ok computer' a few years ago and realized most of the songs were already in my conciousness. They are one of, if not the most inventive and artistic bands out. This song exemplifies some of the magic and beauty they possess and embed into their music...




5. Rome (Danger Mouse & Daniele Luppi) 'The Rose With The Broken Neck'
I love the way Danger Mouse can inject new personalities into the world of music and cover so much ground with the choice of artists he assembles on his projects. On "The Rose...', Jack White is the vocalist and I've not heard him sing this way before, much like Cee-lo on the Gnarls Barkley records, it's all very beautifully rendered. This song is an amazing use of character in sound...




4. James Blake 'I Never Learnt to Share'
My nephew introduced me to James Blake's music and I was instantly hooked. A great album and a beautifully dark song that resonates many memories and feelings beyond the refrain...




3. Beady Eye 'The Beat Goes On'
I can't say enough about these guys. Beady Eye is the real deal, end of. They are true rock & roll superstars. They live it for real. I had an amazing time on the road with these hardworking gentlemen and this song in particular is one of the most inspirational tunes in my life. My favorite band of 2011...




2.Mobb Deep f. Nas'Get It Forever'
Best comeback of the year goes to the Mobb. By having Nas bless the track as well they confirm Queensbridge birthed some of the realest mc's ever...




1.Shabazz Palaces 'An Echo From The Hosts That Profess Infinitum'
One of the greatest things to happen to hip hop in the last 10 years. I've been championing this group for a while and Butter stays in my top 5 mc category. Needless to say my #1 for 2011, '...the forecast? /heat/ with chance to blast...' Enjoy




DF