Tag Archives: top songs of 2008

Top Ten Songs Of 2008 That You’ve Likely Also Had In Constant Rotation

22 Monday Dec 2008

Posted by in Feeding The Music Jones

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by vivrant thang on Top 10 Songs of 2008

We’re nearing the finale of of my year-end countdown. For those just joining us, here’s what you’ve missed.

Next  up, are my ten favorite songs (plus some honorable mentions) that you’ve likely had in heavy rotation as well.

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1.Erykah Badu, “That Hump”

I was one of the few that dug New Amerykah from first listen.  There were many standout tracks for me. However, once I heard that slow, thumping bass line  of “That Hump,” I knew it was a song I would have on repeat. Many a day over the past year, I was right there with her. I look forward to what’s in store for Part 2. If you want a sneak peek you must follow her on Twitter. (And yes, it’s really her). If nothing else, you will be thoroughly entertained.

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2. Eric Roberson, “Let Me Know”

I first heard this song on the radio late one night and nearly lost my mind. Is that Erro?! I heard he had a new song out but had no idea it would have a soulful house flavor to it. It’s hard to sit still when this one comes on, as evidenced by my very shaky video of his performance this past summer. I won’t even bother to try to capture it when he comes to DC for Inauguration Weekend. I’m just going to let my hair down and follow his command and “shake it!” I hope we see more of  this on Erro’s next project.

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3. Jazzanova f/ Leon Ware and Dwele, “RockinYou Eternally”

This entire project would be on this list if I had the room. However, this remake of this 1981 classic by Leon Ware featuring Dwele drew me in from first listen. When this comes on, I have to just sit back, close my eyes and just groove. I dare to say it surpasses the original for me. I have said it before and I’ll say it again, Dwele needs to stick to guesting on other’s projects and step away from the solo material for a minute.

I would also encourage you to take a listen to Leon Ware’s new project Moon Ride. Like Al Green’sproject, it’s simply good ole classic soul that doesn’t seem dated. Both projects would make great stocking stuffers for that seasoned person in your life who is still hip but has no use for what’s on the radio.

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4. Al Green and John Legend, “Stay With Me (By The Sea)”

This was another album that you could just let play through. Classic Al, but it didn’t feel dated. That’s what happens when you get Questlove involved (who is also on Twitter here and here – and yes, it’s really him. Ya’ll better get it while it’s hot!). There were so many outstanding collaborations but there was just something about John and Al that made the perfect combination. Or maybe I’m just a big ole romantic at heart.

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5. Q-Tip, “Life Is Better”

I had about four different songs here as my top pick from Renaissance. “We Fight/We Love. ” “You.” (I had to give this one an honorable mention). “Gettin Up. ” “Manwomanboogie.” They have all been in constant rotation since I got my hands on this album. However, Norah Jones’ sound (which I wouldn’t have recognized had I not looked at the liner notes) and the hip hop history lesson made this song a must-add. However, what pushed me over the edge was re-watching my videos from the concert last month. This song just begs for live instrumentation.

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6. Foreign Exchange, “Sweeter Than You”

Another album where it was absolute agony trying to choose my favorite. This is also my album of the year.  When I saw the live performance of “Sweeter Than You,” I felt like I was transported back to the 1920s and 30s, one of my favorite eras. I could picture myself sitting in one of those jazz clubs dressed to the nines and smoking those skinny cigarettes. Phonte on the mic crooning and then the band comes in. Watch and you’ll see what I mean.

Now that I think about it, this should have been an easy choice. Sweetness has been a recurring theme throughout my year end list:  Hil St. Soul’s “The Sweetest Days” and Angela Johnson and Julie Dexter’s “How Sweet Life Is.”  Hmm…may be something to ponder for the ’09.

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7. Eric Benet, “You’re The Only One”

I’m glad Eric released this as the first single on his album. In my opinion, this is the standout track on an otherwise so-so album. This is vintage Eric, taking me back to his first two releases which still remain in constant rotation to this day. It makes me feel sexier than “Chocolate Legs”  does (although I must say his acapella version and explanation makes me rethink that statement. Hell nobody said the man couldn’t sannnng any woman’s granny panties off. No dispute about that!) Overall, this album, sans this simply beautiful song,  just didn’t do it for me.

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photo credit: tamara dulva

8. Raphael Saadiq “Oh Girl”

It was love at first listen. It’s the track I keep going back to on this album. It you don’t want to throw this on and grind real hard with your boo, something is wrong with ya! I had to include the live performance with this one because the choreography only enhances the listening experience. And looking at that picture, that is one seasoned gentleman I wouldn’t mind getting down on one knee and crooning to me!

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9. Estelle, “No Substitute Love”

Another outstanding release where it was hard to pick a favorite. I need at least one island flavored track on my list each year and Estelle does that so well. Besides, the sentiment was one I had to express a little too often this year for my taste. Here’s hoping for a better 2009 in that respect.

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10. The Roots f/Chrisette Michele and Wale, “Rising Up”

In the words of DJ Stylus, it’s plain and simple. This. Joint. CRANKS. Impossible to sit still on this one. That go-go beat, over which DC native Wale represents, is infectious. Even if you don’t get down with go-go, there is no way this track doesn’t move your body. Except if you live in Baltimore. They were stiff as hell when The Roots performed this at the show up there back in May. I can’t forget my girl Chrisette Michele who is absolute perfection on this track (come back soon!).

Very Honorable Mentions

Erykah Badu, “Master Teacher”

John Legend, “I Love, You Love”

Anthony Hamilton “Please Stay”

Q-Tip “You”

Musiq Soulchild, “SoBeautiful”

Robin Thicke “Sidestep”

Avant,”When It Hurts”

As always, share your favorites in the comments.

Top Ten Songs of 2008 You’ve Probably Never Heard

15 Monday Dec 2008

Posted by in Best Of Lists

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It’s that time of the year! Everybody and their play cousin is counting down the best of 2008 – including yours truly. Last year, I counted down my Top 10 songs and concerts of the year. Those are still coming your way so stay tuned.

However, since this site’s mission is to shine the spotlight on underrated artists that you’ll likely never hear on your local fm radio station I decided to kick things off with a list of songs I’ve been grooving to throughout the year that you may have never heard before.

You’ll notice that on this particular list, the ladies are running this mutha. A lot of the  male artists I recently discovered didn’t release new music this year. Or I was on the late bandwagon and don’t have their music in constant rotation (looking at you Kameron Corvet, Darien, Heston, Cornielle, and Colby Odonis – to name a few).

Here is my hard-wrought, hard-fought Top 10 in no particular order. Get into these artists.

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1. Eric Lau f/ Serena, “Time Will Tell”

I believe it was my good friend Soul UK who introduced me to London-based producer Eric Lau. I have mentioned by love for producers like J Dilla, Nicolay and 9th Wonder before so  I was all too happy to take a listen to Eric Lau’s beats. It was love at first listen, especially since it led me to the discovery of female UK soul artists like Rahel, Taiwah and Serena Leah who appears on this track. This was one of the songs that stayed on repeat from Lau’s New Territories. Time will tell indeed what’s in store for this producer and the artists whose voices flow so effortlessly over these head nodding beats.

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2. Santogold, “You’ll Find A Way”

Actually, Santogold is probably no stranger to most of you. You’ve likely heard her music, maybe just not this song if you didn’t buy her album or see her in concert. I was fairly unfamiliar with Santi until I saw her perform at the Roots Pre-Picnic Jam session back in June. It’s definitely a departure from the type of music I typically like but there’s something about this song. It energizes me, makes me want to rock out. No, I really do start headbanging every time I listen to it.

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3. Zaki Ibrahim, “Connected”

I discovered this Toronto-based artist by accident while digging through the crates for something else. Sometimes the best things happen accidentally. It was hard to pick my favorite off of this EP but this particular song about feeling so connected to her man that she wants to breathe him in so she can see what he’s made of really got under my skin. It made me want to be bunned up posthaste. Very Sade-esque.

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4. Tortured Soul, “Home To You”

Months later, I am still reminiscing about my first Tortured Soul Experience. As much as I consider myself to be a soulful house fan, I am very ‘shamed to say I wasn’t up on them before the show. Let’s just say after seeing them live just once, they have a fan for life. After seeing the live performance of  Home To You , from their EP, In Transit, it stayed in constant rotation. A second full-length effort cannot come quick enough.

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5. Sy Smith, Fly Away With Me

After seeing DC native Sy Smith perform live for the first time earlier this year (notice a trend here?), and being thorough entertained and impressed by her stage show, I was checking hard for her albums. I started out with her latest, Conflict. Don’t tell anyone but Viv made a playlist for a “friend” earlier this year and this track was on it. “Lose yourself in my love without trying.” Sy said it better than I could ever say it – and sounded MUCH better than I would have!

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6. Brittany Bosco, “8 Trak”

Yet another discovery I owe to Soul UK. I am looking forward to what 2009 has in store for Brittanybecause if this EP was any indication, the future is indeed bright. The title of this track was what intrigued me at first. From the moment, I pressed play, I fell in love with the old soul feel to it, which is of course very apropos. I picture her opening for Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings or Raphael Saadiq with a song like this. And of course Viv loves the sentiment 😉

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7. Taiwah, “Watch Out”

You already know how I feel about Taiwah. If you didn’t listen to me the first time, I’m really going to need you to get on that. This is the first song on the EP and the opening chords drew me in immediately. Hauntingly beautiful. And I have so been here. This song takes me back there but it isn’t an entirely unpleasant visit.

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8. Esperanza Spalding “I Know You Know”

I admit to being late to the party once again in discovering this jazz phenom. But that’s why I make it my business to attend as many live shows as I can. Once I saw her at the Roots Picnic that miserably hot June day singing and handling that bass like it wasn’t twice her size, I knew I had to learn more. I don’t talk much about my love for jazz here but Esperanza’s album makes me want to make that a priority in 2009. Although she didn’t perform this song at the picnic, it was one I kept coming back to.  I know you know that you should put her on your playlist whether you’re a jazz lover or not. It’s simply good music.

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9. Angela Johnson f/Julie Dexter “How Sweet Life Is”

I put this song on when I need to be reminded that regardless of what I’m going through, how sweet life is. I’m alive and have all my limbs and mental faculties (most days). Julie Dexter’s melodic voice immediately pulls me into a serious groove. I start to rocking and want to jump up and testify! If I could actually carry a tune, I would want to sing this in church. How grateful indeed. I am so glad that Angela Johnson “presented” us with this one. Take notes, you’ll see this album again.

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10. Hil St Soul, The Sweetest Days

I have been all about the UK Soul this year haven’t I? I have been a Hil fan since her debut album. I was so excited to see her perform at the Capital Jazz Festival last year. I was on pins and needles waiting for her latest release and she did not disappoint. She is on my short list of truly underrated female artists.  I can totally related to that yearning for “yester-me, yester-you, yesterday” as she sang, “In the words of Stevie, what happened to the world we knew?” This song also reminded me of how I felt the first time I heard Jilly from Philly’s “Do You Remember?”

Your turn, my dear readers. Let me know some of your favorite tracks of the year that you’re sure nobody but you has on constant rotation.