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This year’s top 10 features 3 artists that were also featured in my top 10 from 2010: Robert Glasper, Jimmy Edgar, and Lone. They all rank higher on this list then they did back in 2010.
The top 10 albums of 2012
01 
Robert Glasper Experiment – Black Radio [Blue Note Records]
Hands down, the best album and more so the best live show of the year! The live shows are like religious experiences. I had the great fortune to see the Robert Glasper Experiment twice this year in Philadelphia. I’ve seen them many times before, but this year they are on fire like Mariah. If they come to a city near you, run, don’t walk to see them. In the meantime, check out their video from the 2012 iTunes music festival. It’s not the same as seeing them live however, totally next level.
02 
Rick Ross – God Forgives, I Don’t [Def Jam]
I had totally lost faith in american hip-hop and had jumped ship for UK grime for a couple of years now. However, this album has restored it. The production on this album is absolutely amazing, despite having almost a different producer on every song. The J.U.S.T.I.C.E League is the only producer with 3 credits on this record. I love the prog rock flavor of Maybach Music IV that they produced; this was very unexpected for a commercial hip-hop record. Pharrell has one production credit, and it is my favorite song on the album, Presidential, and follows Robert Glasper Experiment’s Black Radio as song of the year. I played this one song to death this year. Actually, I actually played this album more than any other album on this list. Hold Me Back was my anthem and Pray For Us was pretty poignant for me as well. This is hip-hop at its best.
This is also my album title of the year;)
03 
Jimmy Edgar – Majenta [Hotflush Recordings]
Jimmy Edgar’s music always brings me so much joy and hot flashes. This album is no different. What else can a girl ask for?
04 
THEESatisfaction – awE naturalE [Sub Pop Records]
Two words for you: Girl Power! THEESatisfaction are Stasia Irons & Catherine Harris-White. They wrote, produced, and performed the entire album, and it is not good just because they are women. It is good because the album sounds like an album, a cohesive collection of songs.
05 
Mala in Cuba [Brownswood Recordings]
Thank You, Gilles Peterson, for sending Mala to Cuba. I don’t know why out of all of the artists you could have asked, you chose Mala, but I am so ecstatic that you did. Also, Gilles, thanks for partnering Mala with Simbad on the arranging, producing, and mixing – a match made in heaven;)
06 
Ital Tek – Nebula Dance [Planet Mu]
If you’re looking for juke infused or footwork inspired music, look no further than Planet Mu! Planet Mu never disappoints. This album merges genres in a refreshing way while keeping bass music as the constant.
07 
Lone – Galaxy Garden [R&S Records]
Lone knows how to bring the lush, and his sound is like no other.
08 
Polysick – Digital Native [Planet Mu]
This album is super eclectic, just how I like ’em;)
09 
Flying Lotus – Until The Quiet Comes [Warp]
I do not like Until The Quiet Comes as much as Cosmagramma, but the songs I do love on this album I adore. The collaboration between Flying Lotus and Erykah Badu is very special. Two unique souls coming together to make a song that no two others could make – a very special thing;)
10 
Lazer Sword – Memories [Monkeytown Records]
What can I say? I love my musical men with aliases because that means they are prolific and passionate about music. Lazer Sword are Antaeus Roy aka Lando Kal and Bryant Rutledge aka Low Limit.
Best Song of 2012 – Kodiak – Spreo Superbus [Numbers]
This one I didn’t even have to think about for a millisecond. I could NOT stop playing this song all year. It is by far the song of the year.
Best Single of 2012 – Swindle – Forest Funk [Deep Medi Musik]
Normally, this would be for the best EP, but technically it is a single of 3 songs. However, for me 3 songs is enough for an EP. (I remember when albums only had 6 songs, 3 on both sides, and were extended. Those were the days.) Actually, both of Swindle’s singles on Deep Medi were quite stellar. It was hard to choose between the two, but the track Mischief put Forest Funk on top.
Best Label of 2012 [Deep Medi Musik]
Deep Medi put out Swindle’s two stellar singles. That alone is enough for the best label of 2012.
Best Remix of 2012 – U Don’t Survive (Chrissy Murderbot Remix) by Machinedrum [Planet Mu]
You can’t get any better than a combination of jungle and juke. Enough said!
Best Artist of 2012 – Swindle
Between Swindle’s deep medi & self-released singles, as well as the wicked collaboration with silkie, there’s no other contender.
Best Remixer of 2012 – Machinedrum
Again, Hands down! There is no competition. I feature 7 remixes by Machinedrum in my Best of 2012 Remixes Mix out of 46, and I decided to leave some others out because I already had a Machinedrum quota;)
I ♥ Machinedrum!