3 Albums for 2011

We’re New Here by Jamie xx & Gil-Scott Heron

Don’t get me wrong I’m New Here was great, but this took it to a whole new level. It single handedly (almost) laid the ground work for the rest of the year’s electronic releases.

Black Up by Shabazz Palaces

A hip-hop album which sounded nothing like it’s peers, after the infiltration of “club” beats and big synths in the genre, Shabazz Palaces turned around and ran in the opposite directions producing the freshest hip-hop album for the past decade(?). Minimalist, bassy, jazzy in equal measure, easily my favourite album released this year.

summvs by Alva Noto & Ryuichi Sakamoto

Not much to say here, breathtakingly beautiful as their previous collaborations have been; though this was possibly the most melodic.

… and for 2012

Portico Quartet are releasing a new album, entitled Portico Quartet. It’s going to be amazing. To quote kisharang on Portico Quartet’s last.fm page (scroll down):

So I saw them live yesterday (Gaume Jazz festival) and they played all new material, which was radically different from their older stuff, much more electronic, even leaning towards intelligent dubstep in moments. Duncan even played mostly with electronic pads, didn’t even have a real bass drum or snare. Still really good stuff though, they’re just way less “jazz” now. New album just might be their Kid A!

Oh and with any luck Deltron 3030 will release Event II, don’t hold your breath though it has been coming out for the past few years and still hasn’t materialised.

Inspired by Frank Chimero’s Eleven Albums for 2011.