- News & Reviews FeedThe Best CDs of 2009! Our Critics' choices!
It is always fun at the end of each year to celebrate the best of that year. And 2009 had a lot of great music.
And so we've lassoed our music critics to each pick their favorites, which we've assembled below in alphabetical order (by artist name). These are uniformly releases with which you can't go wrong -- or so our critics say. Looking for a Christmas gift for a music lover? Then spend some time with these winners.
The toughest part of this is limiting the choices, but, imperfect as they are, here are the selections from Peggy Oliver (PO), Christian John Wikane (CJW), Chris Rizik (CR), L. Michael Gipson (LMG), Melody Charles (MC), J Matthew Cobb (JMC) and Howard Dukes (HD). Also, each album cover is a link to either CD Baby or Amazon, where you can generally listen to clips from the disc or where you can purchase it.
We know these picks will have SoulTrackers talking. So be sure to comment below to let us know what we did right and what we missed!
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All-4-One: No Regrets -- Arising out of musical limbo, the talented Cali-based quartet shed years of sappy pop frustration to issue an absolute gem, filled with memorable hooks and even better harmonies. (CR) |
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Marc Broussard: Keep Coming Back -- With jams like "Another Night Alone" and "Saying I Love You," I kept coming back again and again all year long to cry, celebrate, feel good, and hear some of the best soul songwriting around; you will too. (LMG) |
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Alain Clark: Live It Out -- Amsterdam soul? Well this Dutch singer's infectious blend of pop and soul will have fans of acts from Hall and Oates to John Legend howling for more. (CR) |
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Corneille: The Birth of Corneillius -- A child of Germany and Rwanda, singer/songwriter Corneille supplied a touching autobiographical story and great tunes on this gentle, moving album. (CR) |
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Karl Denson's Tiny Universe: Brother's Keeper -- Retro soul had a big year as artists looked to create rather than cover, and this soulful, funky, bluesy rollicking album absolutely nailed the retro formula. (HD) |
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Shae Fiol: Catch a Ride -- The current generation of divas can learn a thing or two from classy chanteuses like Shae and Alisa Ohri, who combine high quality grooves with mature vocals. (HD) |
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Melanie Fiona: The Bridge -- Sure, this Canadian songstress looks good, but the real joy is in hearing her irresistible melodies that bridge pop, soul and rock seamlessly. An artist to watch. (CR) |
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Foreign Exchange: Leave It All Behind -- Arguably one of the best albums of the decade; not since Sweetback's debut has electronic music sounded this soulful and seductive (LMG) |
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Israel Houghton: The Power of One -- I got this CD in late January, and I'm still thinking about it and playing songs from it 12 months later. In a year full of solid releases, that's high praise. (HD) |
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Joy Jones - Godchild: Joy Jones establishes her unique soul music platform on Godchild, her first full-length debut, set to a colorful palette of electronic rhythms. (PO) |
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Adam Lambert For Your Entertainment -- Though the effort feels like a tamed and restricted version of Lambert's familiar rock glam, tracks like "Music Again," and the Pink collaboration "Whataya Want From Me" equal up to some of this year's most memorable performances. (JMC) |
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Lemar: The Reason -- This popular UK singer is virtually unknown Stateside, but with The Reason he delivers the kind of album that we dreamed Seal would release for the past 20 years. Simply unforgettable. (CR) |
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Marcell & The Truth: Symbols -- Lyrically the heir to Bill Withers; vocally a kin to Freddie Jackson and Luther Vandross; and, musically second to none; this sophomore soul project inspires, sings, swoons and swings--sometimes simultaneously. (LMG) |
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Maxwell: BLACKsummers'night -- If this is an indication of parts two and three in Maxwell's proposed trilogy, then listeners needn't look too far in the coming years for superior examples of modern-day soul. "Cold," "Love You," "Help Somebody" -- distinct and vital to your musical health. (CJW) |
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Lisa McClendon: Reality -- McClendon returns after a four-year hiatus with Reality, a powerful disc about the struggles between one's faith and the frailties of human nature. (PO) |
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Chrisette Michelle: Epiphany -- Smart, sexy R&B and a slick, successful step towards securing her place amongst pop's elite. (JMC) |
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Ledisi: Turn Me Loose -- Ledisi has always has the goods - that's without question - but Turn Me Loose is the first album that truly fuses the very best of her singing, songwriting, and producing gifts in one irresistible package. (CJW) |
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Alisa Ohri: Cuz I Feel -- The current generation of divas can learn a thing or two from class chanteuses like Alisha and Shae Fiol, who combine high quality grooves with mature vocals. (HD) |
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Mica Paris: Born Again -- Pregnant with subtle soul and oceans of emotional depth, listening to Paris steal Keisha Cole's "I Remember" and deliver an elegant performance of Gershwin's "Summertime" made this unconverted critic a fan for life. (LMG) |
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PPP: Abundance -- Giving dynamic a whole new definition, the intricate collision of sounds, genres and eras earned Waajeed and Saddiq (aka Platinum Pied Pipers) cred as titans among the greatest producers of indie soul; sublime vocalists like Coultrain and Karma are nothing to shake a stick at either. (LMG) |
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Rizen: Free -- Originally an eight-member vocal band, Rizen is now paired down to sisters Adriann & Aundrea Lewis, but their third disc - Free - proves quality does not require quantity. (PO) |
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Eric Roberson: Music Fan First -- The King of indie soul took an eclectic turn on his newest album, giving a nod to hip-hop, jazz and ultra-modern R&B, but still delivered the goods in a way that few contemporary artists can. (CR) |
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Russell Taylor: Confessional -- Russell Taylor is among the best kept secrets in contemporary music and Confessional finds more than soul running through the bloodstream of this exceptionally talented artist. (CJW) |
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Tuomo: Reaches Out For You -- Tonally similar to equally diverse projects from moving blue-eyed soul artists Dan Dyer, Daniel Merriweather, James Morrison and Diane Birch, the gifted singer/songwriter from Finland sonically mines the best of the Blaxploitation soundtracks with a heart bigger than Shaft's big black gun. (LMG) |
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Various Artists Oh Happy Day: All-Star Celebration -- With the help of big names like Queen Latifah, Al Green and Jon Bon Jovi, this super all-star homecoming pays tribute to gospel roots and some of its revered cousins like Sam Cooke's "A Change Is Gonna Come." (JMC) |
Comments
Thelma I'm not familiar with
momopott - December 15th, 2009
Thelma
I'm not familiar with all of your picks, but I agree with the ones I know of. I absolutely love Maxwell, Rizen, and Melanie Fiona. I have fell in love with Adam Lambert, but was really pleasantly surprised to see him on the list.
It's strange that when I begin checking my email and saw that you had a list of best cd's, I was thinking wouldn't it be something if Adam Lambert was on the list. I had to do a double take because I was so shocked. I feel that this young man is a phenomenal
talent that has gone unrecognized too long. Thank you.
I now have to check out the other unfamiliar artists. I love your work.
Thank you so much for
marygrace - December 16th, 2009
Thank you so much for including Adam Lambert with all these amazing artists. Of all the positive reviews he has gotten, I am most excited about his appearing in your great list.
I also signed on and will be a fan of this site!
Happy holidays.
mg
I consider myself an Adam
Robert1969 - December 16th, 2009
I consider myself an Adam Lambert fan and am intrigued that your critics selected his album for this list. I wouldn't think that For Your Entertainment would fit this genre. Could someone fill me in on Adam's appeal to the soul audience?
WindyJocelyne Hey Im so
WindyJocelyne - December 16th, 2009
WindyJocelyne
Hey Im so happy to see Adam in that position wowwwww!
Adam has such a beautiful voice, his a real phénomen!
I love him since I saw him at the first audition on american Idol and each week we all surprise by his huge talent.
So please buy his CD you are sure to have fun and more all his songs are so beautiful, you really need to listen yesssssssssss..
These are def all good soul
Tour - December 17th, 2009
These are def all good soul music picks..
I'm really glad that you chose Adam Lambert for he's my favorite in the last 30 years... Really stood out from a sea of good soul, lol.
And the comment is quite neutral.. Very true. I'm expecting much more from this talented guy, but there really are a lot of reasons for makeing a quick CD..
But it's def still worth listening to. And in this music environment today, it can be called one of the best in 2009
LeToya, Electrik Red
rtd2 - December 17th, 2009
LeToya, Electrik Red ..
Great site. Discovered it this year. Thanks. I'm going to enjoy working through this list.
Though I didn't think it was quite as strong as her debut, it is great to see Chrisette Michelle's Epiphany make the list - got to see her live this year; superb. In terms of sophomores, I was very impressed by LeToya's Lady Love - must stronger than her debut.
In terms of debuts I thought Electrik Red's How to Be a Lady, Vol. 1, though a little 'naughty', was a very good listen - showed a different side to a lady to LeToya's!
Happy Christmas.
Nice choice of CD's. I'm
MattiS - December 17th, 2009
Nice choice of CD's. I'm proud to say that I bought 2 - 3 of these albums after hearing them on Soul Tracks. Good work on your part... for helping promote these great sounds. To this list, I would add Running With The Drum, by Buffy Sainte-Marie - a little known gem from one of Canada's finest singers. Also, Whitney Houston's I Look To You - which has to be the comeback album of the year and Calvin Richardson,'s Fact Of Life ( c'mom Soul Tracks, thanks to you I bought this brotha's music ). He brings back the music of soul brotha Bobby Womack like nobody else can. Other than this, you guys at Soul Track did your homework very well. Congrats... happy holidays and Happy Kwanzaa.
Peace, Matti Kniva...Boston soul music lover
Could you tell me why Adam
JazzyFunkyCool - December 17th, 2009
Could you tell me why Adam Lambert is on the list? I thought it was supposed to be a Soul website... Meanwhile, a lot of great 2009 CDs weren't included in it (Lee Fields & The Expressions, Kylie Auldist, The Revelations feat. Tré Williams...). What a real shame!!!! I feel like your website has lost some credibility by including him. Never mind, I will continue to check your website regularly anyway, as long as it goes on promoting great music. Cheers from France
To answer all the questions
administrator - December 17th, 2009
To answer all the questions about Adam Lambert's inclusion and the exclusion of others...
Each of our writers submitted 3 or 4 personal choices of their favorites of 2009. So in order for an album to be included, someone would have to feel it was in his or her top 4 discs of the year. While Adam Lambert certainly isn't typically considered a soul music artist, one of our writers felt his project was strong enough and soulful enough to warrant making the list, so that's cool.
This is what makes it all fun ;)
Thelma Why not include Adam
momopott - December 17th, 2009
Thelma
Why not include Adam Lambert on the list of great cds for 2009. I think this young man has incredible talent, and a lot of soul. Skin color does not equate soul, and you miss out on a lot when you think only black artists have soul. There are other artists I like who have made great music, and are not black.I have John Mayer's Continuum cd from a few years ago, and I think it screams soul, and it was probably one of the best cds made that year.
We need to stop limiting ourselves as people of color, and accept all music if it touches us.
I attended the AI tour in Boston and Manchester, NH
primarily because of Adam Lambert. I think he may end up being one of the best artists of our time, and I feel he does have what it takes to make this list.
I think these critics are on top of their game!
Hello SoulTrackers, I am
prayzehymn - December 18th, 2009
Hello SoulTrackers,
I am quite amazed at how many people acknowledged my choice of including Adam Lambert's debut in the "Best CDs of 2009" listing. I knew it wouldn't be easily embraced since this is a portal of R&B and soul music. But to best explain my choice, I felt the album deserved merit and recognition - even from us soul food lovers. Of course, it's a pop/rock entry, but there's some good stuff on there that comes from the traditions of soul music, esp. the dance stuff. Soul lovers get down with Lady Gaga and Pink, so why should we refrain from Lambert? It was an interesting album, in my opinion.
As a side note, I also picked Melanie Fiona as one of my favorites, but as one of the forum administrator mentioned above, we had to pick 3 or 4 entries. In these kind of situations, one or two of us will probably select the same album. I expected some one else to pick the other favorites for this year - so I choose an album that was deserving of this kind of recognition that I knew would make the post. As expected, Maxwell, Israel Houghton, Alain Clark and PPP made the grade so I choose a wild card. I'm glad it paid off.
Still, I am kinda shocked that none of my other ST peers didn't select Whitney Houston (I Look to You), Tortured Soul (Did You Miss Me) or even John Mayer (Battle Studies) in their final decisions. What happened?
J Matthew Cobb
ST Contributing Writer
L. Michael
L.MichaelGipson - December 21st, 2009
L. Michael Gipson
Editor
Overall, I think we have a good, diverse list. But, I also think we dropped the ball on not including Anthony Hamilton, Musiq Soulchild, Lee Fields and The Expressions, Ryan Leslie, Jesse Boykins III, Naomi Shelton and The Gospel Queens and The Revelations featuring Tre Williams. All of which had fantastic soul projects this year. As has been said, when forced to choose your favorite three or four, things get lean. I also note that not everyone at SoulTracks contributed a favorite. I think those that did assumed some more obvious names like Anthony Hamilton would make the cut and so they choose who they'd played on repeat throughout the year. I know I did! Everyone that I chose I come back to all throughout the year, and I suspect for years to come. Now give us your faves of '09. We're all music experts here, you included, SoulTrackers!
In a wonderful year for
frankie - December 29th, 2009
In a wonderful year for soulful music I have to seriously doubt the sanity of these choices. I really love your website but clearly the people who have chosen these CD's have had a soul lobotomy. So let me reflect on a proper choice of the best of the year; CD's by Lisa Shaw, Will Downing,George Benson, King Ellis,Trish Andrews, Marisa Lindsay, 45, Athene Wilson and the wonderful "Soul Togetherness 2009" compilation.
I can only speculate that your choices are based on some ridiculous idea of picking something different that most people haven't considered as having much quality or merit. What an awful list.
been loving real music since
musiqlova25 - December 31st, 2009
been loving real music since i came 2 this place we call earth
hello beautiful people. may the dime be you and yours year of prosperity.
ok...here's my "lean" list in no particular order:
-VA-Silky Soul Music: An All Star Tribute to Mase f Frankie (tight production across the board)
-K'Jon - I Get Around (how in the world have "this time" and "on the ocean" been in obscurity since 2006!?)
-Heston - Storyteller (classic stuff)
-Smokey Robinson - Time Flies When You're Having Fun (best cd of Smokey's illustrious career)
Honarable Mention:
-Darien - If These Walls Could Talk (smooth)
-Eric Roberson - Music Fan First
-Lenny Williams - Unfinished Business (surprised by the quality of this)
Marcell & The Truth – Symbols (“you saved me†is a bonifide classic)
Foreign Exchange – Leave It All Behind (thank you for meeting)
Lemar – The Reason (the reason to believe real music does still exist)
Soulshadow55 Loving Maxwell
soulshadow55 - February 4th, 2010
Soulshadow55
Loving Maxwell (whose concerts I was able to see twice this past summer) along with Chrisette Michelle. Also loving Ledisi - she's frequently here in the D.C. area. This woman's got pipes and she knows how to use them.
Great selections.
