So to mark the conclusion of an epic year of music, I thought I'd round up a selection of personal stand-outs. A blend of sounds, they're in no particular order so without further ado...
HOMEGROWN HITS
The Dragon Of An Ordinary Family - Jehst
2011 saw Billy Brimstone return with his first solo outing in several years. Featuring production from the likes of Beat Butcha, LG, Chemo, Jon Phonics and Mr. Thing, alongside a promotional stint as a postman, Jehst well and truly delivered with his long awaited LP and affirmed that despite the absence, he's still one of the finest. Download "The Dragon Of An Ordinary Family" from iTunes - http://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/the-dragon-ordinary-family/id474688782
I Ain't Even Charging Bruv - Genesis Elijah
Free downloads often tend to be offloads of surplus material or re-hashes of tracks on heavy rotation. Always one to speak up and go against the grain, coupled with tight production throughout, Genesis' EP showcases his lyrical dexterity and tracks like the superb "The King's Speech" leave me more than comfortable with parting with cash if necessary. Download from here - http://www.mediafire.com/?c6fff97bxacd5t5. Don't forget, he ain't even charging bruv!
The Little White Dot - Skriblah DanGogh
Perhaps somewhat eclipsed by the solo progression of his once Terra Firma cohorts Klashnekoff and Kyza, Skriblah confidently stepped forward with his debut solo LP. Energetic and raw, "TLWD" proved that DanGogh is more than capable of holding is own and delivered a more rounded and complete effort than the last two projects from his TF peers. Get "The Little White Dot" from iTunes - http://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/the-little-white-dot/id464176029
True Talk - Logic & Last Resort
A potent combination, Logic & Last Resort left it until the penultimate week of 2011 to grace us with their LP. A blend of heavy production and conscious lyricism with features from a stellar line-up that included Lowkey, Klashnekoff, Maverick Sabre, Mighty Moe, Remus and Akala, it was a perfect climax to the musical calender. Get "True Talk" from iTunes - http://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/true-talk/id477185861
Soundtrack To The Struggle - Lowkey
Probably the most anticpated album of 2011 (and originally 2010), Lowkey finally dropped his second studio LP. Ever the outspoken activist, it was packed to the brim with politics and became a little heavy in places. Despite this, it still confirmed Lowkey's place on the lyrical hiearachy and undeniably educated audiences at the same time with his thought provoking prose and subject matter. Download "Soundtrack To The Struggle" now - http://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/soundtrack-to-struggle.../id460445624
Nature's Greatest Mystery - The Four Owls
So if you've been frequenting Beats & Pieces in the last month or so, you're probably a fully aware of how much I've been bumpin' this album since it's release. High Focus' ornithologically minded MCs, Fliptrix, Verb T, BVA & Leaf Dog, donned bird related monikers and combined to become The Four Owls. A mixture of witty, quotable verbals and no doubt 'herb infused' production crafted one of the finest albums of the year. Get your wings on it here - http://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/natures-greatest-mystery/id479945454
The Dark Side Of The Boom - Prose
Steady & Efeks turned to the dark side in search of inspiration for the follow up to their first LP, "Force Of Habits". The resulting album was still a nod to their boom-bap roots but carried a lo-fi and more organic atmosphere to their initial release. Hip Hop at it's rawest. Go check it - http://boombap.bandcamp.com/album/prose-steady-efeks-the-dark-side-of-the-boom-lp
Speaks Volumes - The IRS
August saw The IRS (Ed Strong, King Kaiow & Superb) drop their overdue second LP. Featuring production from Pete Cannon & Wizard and guest spots from Rewd Adams and Stig Of The Dump, the trio's second outing is full of humour-laced lyrics over a host of heavy production. Download "Speaks Volumes" from their Bandcamp page - http://theirs.bandcamp.com/album/speaks-volumes
IT CAME FROM ACROSS THE POND
undun - The Roots
One of the best collectives around dropped one of their finest albums of the last few years. Slightly more laid back than previous releases but as soulful as ever, ?uestlove's percussion and Black Thought's powerful poetry drive the group's beautifully crafted concept album based around the struggles of the semi-fictional Redford Stevens. Their 13th studio release, check for longevity in the dictionary you're bound to find The Roots as a definition. Download "undun" from iTunes - http://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/undun/id478275028
Watch The Throne - Jay Z & Kanye West
Arguably two of the biggest names came together to drop what should have been an instant classic. Whilst many are declaring this their album of 2011, I'm still undecided. Tracks like the infectious "Otis", "Niggas In Paris", "New Day" and the Frank Ocean assisted "No Church In The Wild" show the musical prowess Jay & Kanye possess but personally I find the whole project a little awkward. Jay Z is by far the lyrically superior of the duo, evident throughout, whilst the album's soundscape oozes West's eccentricity from start to finish. Make up you're own mind - http://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/watch-the-throne/id455274048
Cats & Dogs - Evidence
One third of Dilated Peoples, Evidence, dropped what I feel was his best solo LP to date. A laid-back, tightly produced listen from the open to close, Ev is at his lyrical peak, culminating in every MC's dream collaboration, the DJ Premier produced "You". Guest spots from the likes of Raekwon, Lil' Fame, Prodigy and DP cohort Rakaa merely add the glossy finish to a strong release. Get "Cats & Dogs" now - http://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/cats-dogs/id462952476
Charity Starts At Home - Phonte/ Dirty Pretty Things - Rapper Big Pooh
