Top Rankin’ Hi-Fi’s 2007 Top Five Records Lists
December 20, 2007
Maintaining and compiling the Top Rankin’ Hi-Fi archives proved to be full of peaks and valleys this year. Record collecting was a limited endeavor, not because of the complete lack of record stores in my area, but because of the lack of a dedicated Internet connection and the lack of a computer throughout parts of the year. However, enough time was spent being connected to allow me to grab a hell of a lot more than the most folks out there. It actually became completely necessary when the archives were out of commission for nearly four months and I was left with only the albums on my iPod and whatever else that I pilfered.
The disappearing act was an event which made me realize how much I treasure my music collection. I had settled on moving forward in life without my vibes, but it was a difficult pill to swallow and resulted in a deep feeling of sorrow. Luckily, the collection returned, however it took some knocks along the way and came back with tracks missing here and there whose individual discovery has been taking jabs at the completist in me as of late. Better to have 90% than O% though.
Well, during the down time, I managed to score plenty of albums that actually were released in 2007 and, even more so, fistfuls of gems from the past. Here is a rundown of the 2007 releases that destroyed the soundsystem this year…and some other lists.
Top Five Hip Hop Records
- Y Society – Travel At Your Own Pace
- Black Milk – Popular Demand
- Blue Scholars – Bayani
- Ohmega Watts – Watts Happening
- Brother Ali – The Undisputed Truth
Top Five Funk Records
- Orgone – The Killion Floor
- The Heliocentrics – Out There
- The Budos Band – The Budos Band II
- The Bamboos – Rawville
- The Quantic Soul Orchestra – Tropidelico
Top Five Reggae Records
- Gladiators – Studio One Singles
- Tim Armstrong – A Poet’s Life
- The Revolutionaries – Drum Sound
- Studio One Records – When Rhythm Was King
- Keith Hudson – Nuh Skin Up b/w Brand
Top Five DJ Records
- Lack Of Afro – Press On
- Burial – Untrue
- Oh No – Dr. No’s Oxperiment
- Lanu – This Is My Home
- Belleruche – Turntable Soul Music
Top Five Indie/Punk Records
- Panda Bear – Person Pitch
- The Avett Brothers – Emotionalism
- The Black Lips – Good Bad Not Evil
- Gallows – Orchestra of Wolves
- Dr. Dog – We All Belong
Top Five Jazz Records
- The Nostalgia 77 Octet – Weapons Of Jazz Destruction
- Bonobo – Live in Budapest
- Orchestra Baobab – Made In Dakar
- Yesterday’s New Quintet – Yesterday’s Universe
- The Hot 8 Brass Band – Rock With The Hot 8 Brass Band
Top Five Compilations
- Jazzman Records – Florida Funk: Funk 45’s From The Alligator State
- Jazzman Records – Sister Funk Vol.2
- Ubiquity Records – Super Cool: California Soul Vol.2
- Soul Jazz Records – Brazil 70: After Tropicalia
- Stones Throw Records – Peanut Butter Wolf: B-Ball Zombie War
Top Five Records I Already Had In 2006
- Explosions In The Sky – All Of A Sudden, I Miss Everyone
- Lily Allen – Alright, Still
- Talib Kweli & Madlib – Liberation
- Do Make Say Think – You, You’re A History In Rust
- LCD Soundsystem – Sound Of Silver
Top Five Records Discovered This Year
- Soundway Records – Ghana Soundz: Afrobeat, Funk, and Fusion in 70’s Ghana Volumes 1 & 2
- Melvin Jackson – Funky Skull
- Marva Whitney – It’s My Thing
- Ike Turner – A Black Man’s Soul
- Paul Gonsalves – Boom-Jackie-Boom-Chick
Top Five Records To Be Released In 2008
- Rancid – Untitled
- The Lions – Jungle Struttin’
- Giant Panda – Electric Laser
- Dr. Dre – Detox
- Clutchy Hopkins – Walking Backwards
Top Five Records I Have Not Listened To Yet
- Jazzman Records – Carolina Funk
- Soul Jazz Records – Studio One Roots Vol.3
- Orlando Julius – Super Afro Soul b/w Orlando’s Afro Ideas
- Numero Records – Eccentric Soul: Twinight’s Lunar Rotation
- Native – Rockstone: Adventures With Lee Perry At Black Ark
Record Of The Year
Federico Aubele – Panamericana
The first time I put the needle on his debut album, GranHotelBuenosAries, I knew I had discovered one of my new favorite artists for years to come. His sophomore effort follows in the same tradition with slightly more vocals added and the results are astonishing. His delicate blend of intricate Argentinian vibes with roots dub makes for lush compositions that hit deep inside and induce explosions at the synapses. It’s a source of contemplation and reflection making for a harmonious state. Federico Aubele has the ability to harness a special energy and those who feel it know it.
