FunBongo: Class of 2006

Monday, January 1, 2007

Class of 2006

Here is my top 10 albums of the year. Chosen by 'which I would miss the most if it was taken from me'

1. Justin Timberlake - FutureSex/LoveSounds

As with his classic debt, Tin got two thirds of the way to a perfect album and then ran out of steam. Aided by Timbaland and Danja, Justin conjures up a pop master-class. The first six tracks merge perfectly together, a better first half you will not find (a la Justified). Will-i-am and Rick Rubin rock up later to lift the load from Timbo's shoulders adding a few more sex sounds to Timberlake's compelling sophomore LP.

1. P!nk - I'm not Dead

I couldn't choose between this and JT, he is only listed first because of the alphabet. 'Who Knew', 'U and Ur Hand' and 'Leave Me Alone Im Lonely' are unstoppable pop gems. Add in another nine very strong songs and you have a charming album, far better than her contemporaries. I didn't really like P!nk until I heard this album.

3. Jay-Z - Kingdom Come

There is something not quite right about this but I still can't put it down. I think its because he didn't really want to make this and its still the best rap album of the year. The Neptunes and Kanye West let Hova down but Justin Blaze, the Blazettes, Chris Martin (!?) and Dr Dre make-up for their embarrassment. Enjoy 44 fours live

3. Amy Winehouse - Back to Black

Wow Amy, well done. The best Soul album around. It never gets lost and showcases a talent that needs to be heard. The same style and sound remains through-out the album but because it is beautifully short you never tire of Mark Ronson's production. Needs rehab

5. Christina Aguilera - Back to Basics

Almost amazing, but not. Ruined by Xtina of course. However the first CD still has a collection of interesting pop productions that slide together happily until the last track. Most of CD 2 is terrible but it does have a couple of hits. Quality control and reality check please Christina

6. Lily Allen - Alright Still

The feisty one lived up to the hype and delivered an endearing, strong debut.

7. Nelly Furtado - Loose

Two of the best singles of the year followed up by the magic of Timbaland and Danja give Furtado a good album. It drops off in places and lacks a steady thread but a welcome change of direction by the Canadian Portuguese special lady.

8 Lupe Fiasco - Food and Liquor

A bright hope for the future of hip hop. Well produced, thoughtful songs. His only downfall is his lack of decent humour and slightly contradictory attitude.

9 Nas - Hip Hop is Dead

Essentially one of his better albums. Five or six great tracks which are far better than 99% of the other players.

10 Rhymefest - Blue Collar

Patchy album but pretty good. Rhymefest's personality translates fantastically on wax; somehow he collaborated with Ronson and the late ODB to make 'Build Me Up Buttercup' an enjoyable four minutes.

Here are my most loved songs of 2006, there are 11 of them. This is normal.

1.P!nk - Who Knew. Sounds better with each listen
2. Justin Timberlake - SexyBack- He made us dance again
3. Nelly Furtado - Maneater - Glorious
4. Robbie Williams - Lovelight - A Brand New Heavy, a Ronson and a Robbie is an electrifying combination
5. Pharrell Williams - Number One Ft Kanye West - Should have been a Michael record
6. Jay-Z - Prelude - Classic Jay
7. Amy Winehouse -Tears Dry on their own -Best track off the album
8. Nas - Cant forget about you - Vintage Esco
9. Omarion - Obsession - Probably best Neptunes of the year
10. JC Chasez - Until Yesterday - Marvelous co-writing with JT
10. The Game - Why you hate the Game Ft Nas - Just Blaze takes 'em to church in an epic nine minute adventure.

What to expect in 2007?

Britney - New album we guess. Maybe working with Pharrell, naybe not.

Duran Duran - Three tracks recorded with Timbabland and one with Justin.

Common

Maxwell - Three albums recorded and ready, one would be fine

Mariah Carey - Two albums. Again, just one would be a happy time.

Kylie - It would nice if she actually made a really good album.

D'Angelo - Its about time, lazy man. Two albums in 11 years is lame.

Usher - Working with Robin Thicke and Jay-Z. Lets hope its better then the shit shit shit Confessions album where he took the four best tracks off it because he didn't want to be linked to the Neptunes and therefore Justin...

JC Chasez - Forgotten *NSYNCer, probably be fantastic but get no press. Three tracks produced by Justin and Timbaland

Timbaland Solo Album- Justin, Nelly Furtado, Jay-Z and Elton John all on board

Talib Kweli - Ear Drum project. The four songs I have are good

Mos Def - A return to form

Joss Stone - Worked with Raphael Saadiq and Common, wise move. What I have is very strong

Eve - Its three years late luv

Air -Meant to be good

Bableshambles - I trust Peter