This month marks the eight of new music, albums, and more importantly of the year (This year is going by fast). From January until now, we’ve witnessed some of the most remarkable and unremarkable efforts in the music industry. We’ve experienced girls “Rocking That Thang” while living the “Magnificient” live. We’ve all spoken “Gibberish” avoiding the inevitable way love can “Knock You Down.” 2009 has been debut year of new artist while seasoned artists experimented with new sounds. Songwriters and producers have switched roles becoming artists while rap stars tried their hand in rock. It also marked the return of some old favorites. And the best part about it is, there is still four months remaining.

MESH. has compiled a list of the  year’s top albums (in our opinion) thus far  (Disc 1) as well as the albums we can’t wait to get our hands on (Disc 2). Let’s get into it.

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2009′s Best Thus Far

The Dream — Love Vs. Money

The Dream‘s sophomore effort Love Vs. Money continues where his debut Love/Hate left off. The gritty/clever lyrics from The Dream coupled with the amazing production of Tricky Stewart produced one of the year’s greatest efforts. The album solidified the Dream’s impeccable craft of effortlessly creating memorable tracks such as “Put It Down” “Love Vs. Money” “Mr. Yeah” “Fancy” and basically every song on the album. It was a musical delight to the ears from the first track to the last. This is what new R&B should sound like.

Ryan Leslie- Ryan Leslie & Keri Hilson- In a Perfect World

As mentioned in a previous MESH. post [here], there has been a growing phenomenon in the music industry of producers and songwriters jumping from behind the spotlight to take the forefront as artists. Ryan Leslie‘s self titled debut proved why he is one of the most talented producers in the game. The infectious rhythms in tracks like “Gibberish” and “How It Was Supposed To Be” filled the entire album and was a great (but sadly under appreciated) effort. Songwriter Keri Hilson had a large buzz about her talents before her debut album was released. Known for penning several hits, and being ‘that girl’ on Timbaland’s hit “The Way I Are,” Keri looked to establish herself a strong force with In a Perfect World. Her efforts were stifled at first as her first singles didn’t pick up but when her #1 hit “Turnin’ Me Off” became a certified club banger, things changed. Her album has several gems on it including the sultry “Slow Dance” and the beautiful “Make Love.” Keri & Ryan both had incredible albums this year.

Maxwell- BLACKsummers’night &    Joe- Signature

2009 marked the return of R&B favorites Maxwell and Joe. Joe‘s album Signature went under the radar a little but was a very solid effort. It when back to classic R&B and allowed Joe to showcase his artistry. The smooth tracks of “Wanna Be Your Lover” and “Metaphor” showcase the quality of the album. Maxwell‘s release was perhaps the most anticipated R&B comeback of the past five years. BLACKsummers’night is a classic album filled with heavy soul, funk, and sultry instrumentals blended with Maxwell’s signature falsetto. His lead single “Pretty Wings” was one of the most touching tracks of the year while other songs on the album such as “Playing Possum” and “Stop The World”  also speak to Maxwell’s ability to embed genuine emotion within each song he sings. Great comebacks.

Laura Izibor- Let the Truth Be Told &   Electrik Red- How To Be a Lady Vol. 1

New artist Laura Izibor showcased her songwriting, producing, and singing talents on her debut album Let the Truth Be Told. The adult contemporary album is filled with empowering songs fuzed with soul. Tracks like “MMM” and “From My Heart to Yours” sum up what to expect on the disc. Her album is said to be in the lineage of Jill Scott and Lauryn Hill, which speaks to how genuine her sound and music is. Electrik Red (comprised of Naomi, Sarah, Lesley, and Binky) came with pure heat with their debut How To Be a Lady Vol. 1. The ironically titled disc included a slew of songs that speak to the power, sexuality, and fun of being a lady. Their debut is one of the most well put together debuts with production from The Dream and Tricky Stewart, their sound is distinct and original. From the sultry “9 to 5″ to the fun “P is for Power” the girls have looked to take R&B girl groups to the next level.

Fabolous- Loso’s Way &     Drake- So Far Gone (Mixtape)

The year in hip hop hasn’t had too many spectacular releases but has had some amazing mixtapes from the likes of Kid Cudi, J. Cole, Wale and others. One album that is impressive, is the the recently released Loso’s Way from Fabolous. From the single “Throw It In The Bag” to “Money Goes, Honey Stay” to the gritty “There He Go” and “Pachanga,” Loso’s Way signals a growth within Fabolous. Simply put, the album bumps hard and might be well on its way to be a classic.  Although it’s not an album, it would  be foolish not to include the So Far Gone mixtape from Drake. It was perhaps the biggest treat to hip hop this year.  It generated a large buzz and following for a rapper who hadn’t even released an album yet. Every track form it is memorable rather it be “Uptown” or “Houstatlantavegas” or “Successful” or the now single “Best I’ve Ever Had.” It catapulted Drake into a light where most rappers only dream to be making his debut album one of the most anticipated albums of the year. I’m sure he will deliver.

Honorable Mention:

Chrisette Michele- Epiphany

India Arie-Testimony: Vol. 2, Love & Politics

2009 so far has been an interesting year for music and with several anticipated disc soon to be released, it will definitely be a memorable year for music. Stay tuned for Disc 2: The Best To Come as we list the albums you will definitely want to get your hands on.

Cj

It’s here.The most anticipated album of the summer signaling the long awaited return of one of R&B and Soul’s greatest artist and vocalist, Maxwell. It’s been eight years since his last studio album and usually a sabbatical from the spotlight of that length is detrimental to an artist’s career, but this is Maxwell we are speaking of. BLACKsummers’night is the first album in a trilogy Maxwell plans to release over the next few years. The short album is a treat of heighten musicality and a craft of the appropriate blend of powerful vocals and powerful instruments. Opening with his familiar falsetto on “Bad Habits” just before the impressive instrumentals kick in, the tone of the album is set effortlessly. Gliding past the funky track “Cold” is the album’s soft but breathtaking masterpiece “Pretty Wings” the track that initially sparked our yearning for the return of Maxwell.  The album’s tracks remain for the most part uptempo with heavy influences of big glitzy jazz bands as seen in tracks “Love You” and “Phoenix Rise.” “Stop the World” proves to be one of the best tracks powerfully showcasing Maxwell’s sensual and soothing voice.  Other highlights include “Fistful of Tears” and the spanish guitar assisted and hauntingly beautiful track “Playing Possum.” BLACKsummers’night stands as a testament to true lyrical genius. Maxwell proves that it takes more than words to tell what a song is about or to convey it’s meaning, it requires the artist to fully indulge in every emotion and Maxwell does it on each and every track. The album is a hopeful signal of more great R&B and Soul music to come. Brilliant.

MESHworthy Tracks:

1. Bad Habits

2. Pretty Wings

3. Fistful of Tears

4. Playing Possum

5. Stop The World

Songs for you:

(Maxwell-Pretty Wings)

(Maxwell-Bad Habits)

Cj

If you don’t know. I am extra excited for Maxwell‘s newest album BLACKsummers’night. Check this video out and get excited too.

Aren’t you ready?

Cj

Recording artist Sade is gearing up for the release of a new album in the latter part of 2009 according to Billboard. There is no word on the exact date of release, but her band has already gotten together to work through June. Sade hasn’t released an album since 2000′s Lovers Rock. Although it’s been a long time coming for Sade, they don’t want to rush it.

“She is in the studio and the album will come when it is ready,” a source at Sony tells Billboard. “You don’t wait for years for one and then rush it.”

Sade’s labelmate Maxwell, who will be releasing his latest album BLACKsummer’snight on July 7th, had listened to a couple snippets that they were able to come up with so far and had nothing but positive feedback for it.

“Trust me, it’s so monolithic it’ll shake you in your shoes!”

For those of you who forgot..

- Aisha