The Prelude: Theorized Vol. 1- The Old Soul's Top 10 Favorite Albums Of 2007

We are getting closer and closer 2008 as you read this. So with the end of every year, comes our lists for our favorite things. Well, coming tommorrow, is my 10 ten list of my favorite albums this year. But before I give you my list. I wanted to give a quick list of couple albums I enjoyed this year that just missed the list...

1) Sa-Ra: The Hollywood Recordings (Babygrande Records)


Three of the greatest have co-signed. Kanye has co-signed. Dr. Dre has co-signed. J Dilla co-signed. These cats are the truth, possibly the future, and honestly, like nothing else in Hip-Hop, let alone music today. Aside from working the boards for Talib ("Space Fruit"), Jill Scott ("Breathe") and on Erykah Badu's upcoming L.P this year, Sa-Ra dropped "The Hollywood Recordings," 19-Tracks of funked out, souled out.... spaced out music, featuring an all star list artists (Talib Kweli, Erykah Badu, Kurupt, Pharaohe Monch, J Dilla, among others). Advice, come with an open mind before listening to this one.
Rewind Material:










2) Consequence- Don't Quit Your Day Job (G.O.O.D Music/Red Ink/Columbia Records)


This one was a long time coming. Orignially debuting as the fourth member of A Tribe Called Quest (if your counting Jarobi, he would be the 5th) on their fourth L.P, "Beats, Rhymes, & Life," Consequence (who is also Tribe member Q-Tip's cousin)made his recording debut. Upon and after the release of "Beats," their where complains of this new member that could have and did disrupt the on-mic chemistry between Phife Dawg and Q-Tip (like some critics complained of the new production style assisted by a up and coming producer by the name of Jay Dee).

But after years it's release, it is safe (and politically correct) to recognize that Cons was a vital tread within that album. I mean, how can you front on his show stealing verse on the 2nd single, "Stressed Out?" But two years later, Tribe broke up, and Consequence disappeared from the scene.

But Cons would soon find make grand return via appearances on Kanye West's first two L.Ps, "College Dropout" ("Spaceship") and "Late Registration" ("Gone"). With Consequence catching the ear of a new generation of Hip-Hop heads, Cons took the experiences of his post-Tribe occupations and made it the foundational theme of his solo debut, "Don't Quit Your Day Job."

Co-Executive Produced by 'Ye, "Don't" is just dope Hip-Hop record from start to finish. From the dope "Nautilus" flip on "Job Song" to breakbeat B-Boy flava on "Callin' Me," to the celebratory Kanye produced "Grammy Family" (feat. John Legend), Cons lyrically shines everytime he steps up to the mic. His best lyrical showing is on the Karriem Riggins produced "Uncle Rahiem," in which Cons tells the story of newly released Uncle and the hell he raises once he moves into Cons's and his Moms' home.

You can't talk about this album without mentioning the hilarious skits, which details and continues the album's storyline of Cons' first day working at a department store ("Quincy Jones. 'Ya Mama' I heard that!!!! LOL!!). With a sold debut solo L.P and various mixtapes under his belt, Consequence may be on track for a promising 2008.
Rewind Material


Yeah I know, this track is damn near 4 years old (it was originally intented "College Dropout), but it still bangs.











3) Oh-No- Dr. No's Oxperiment (Stones Throw Records)


It's been a busy year for L.A based indie label, Stones Throw Records. National tours through the NBA 2K8 Bounce Tour, Label president Peanut Butter Wolf's 7 DJ gigs in 7 days in L.A, the release many dope albums such as Madlib's Beat Konducta Vol. 3-4, The Zombie B-Ball Compilation, Percee P's Perseverance and the re-release of J Dilla's underground and hard to find classic, "Ruff Draft."

But among all that, came the Sophomore release of Producer/MC Oh No. With "Dr. No's Oxperiment," not does Oh No steps out of the shadow of his big brother Madlib, but delivers Stones Throw's best release of 2007 (yes, in my imo, it's better than Beat Konducta Vol. 3-4).

Sampling from a diverse collection styles and genres, Oh No takes tracks from Turkish, Labanese, Greek and Italian Rock & funk records, and transforms them with Optimus Prime precision into 28 knocking instrumentals. I can't even verbally describe these beats to you, you just gotta listen to them for yourself. "Dr. No's Oxperiment" is a sonic gem, point blank. WARNING: You may need to buy a neck brace before buy this record.
Rewind Material














Be back tomorrow with the 10 top list. I gotta get ready for this new years party I gotta DJ.

And on that note... I'm out.