Funk, Soul & Outernational Vibes
Readers Poll Results 2005
M.I.A.
Arular (XL)
"M.I.A. was the zeitgeist of the Pitchfork generation, an album that made dorky male white critics weaned on guitar-based indie rock feel less dorky, white and male. But if this album was all romantic story and no substance, it would have been long forgotten by now, stored away in computer recycle bins next to Plastic Constellations and Camera Obscura MP3s." Daniel Sylvester, Windsor ON
"Shaking the foundations of the world." Scott Walters, Halifax NS
"I know everyone is going to pick this, but she ruled our CD players, clubs and iPods in 2005. I had no idea what I was singing, but I loved it." Brandon Gaukel, Chilliwack BC
"Never have I heard anything like this before. She is absolutely awesome in the true sense of the word and all music should be aurally exciting." Serge Gallant, Halifax NS
"It is not like any other thing out there, and that's good. M.I.A. makes global music sexy." Dave Love, Kingston ON
"This CD has found a way to soundtrack many events in my life: driving, walking to class, and drowning out my roommate's shitty music." Bobby Hiltz, Chester NS
"She owned 2005." Kortnee Borden, Toronto ON
"I love everything about this album it's fun with some incredible beats, but there is a political edge to it as well." Dana Kirkcaldy, Peterborough ON
"Amazing from start to finish." Missy Richardson, Welland ON
"I'm guessing I'm not alone here." Nicole Wynter, Toronto ON
"Different and refreshing, she is in a genre of her own." Victoria On, Vancouver BC
"I didn't think I could love this type of music this much." Corey Pierce, Oakville ON
2. Jamie Lidell
Multiply (Warp)
"This album is like the prodigal son of any nerdy white kid growing up grooving to soul, Afrobeat, funk and electro of the '60s, '70s and '80s. Granted, he wears the influences on his sleeve, but he does it so goddamned well, not quite leaving the Warp artist behind, but pairing it well with a little bit of soul." Liam Crockard, Toronto ON
"Production chops and a party starting set of vocal chords. World domination here he comes..." Michael Cumming, Montreal QC
"His soul, his tech and the voice in between made me move around and always turned my frown upside down." Ryan Hill, Regina SK
"Someone needs to check Lidell's mama 'cause there is way too much soul on this record for an Englishman. For a Warp Records IDM laptop producer to up and drop an electro/funk/R&B album of inarguable Al Green or George Clinton quality like this is plain shocking." Alan Ranta, Vancouver BC
3. Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings
Naturally (Daptone)
"Great album; I can't get it off my player." Nathan Jackson, Toronto ON
"Are you kidding me? You want me to explain in words how amazing they are? Just listen to the CD; better yet check them out live!" Andre Majaes, Montreal QC
"After having seen this woman perform twice with the amazing Dap Kings, I can barely stand to go without that type of permanent show in my city. I need Sharon to get my groove back." Danielle Gregoire, Ottawa ON
4. Damian Marley
Welcome to Jamrock (Universal)
"This an awesome reggae album." Linda Willison, Thornhill ON
"Listening to the title track is all one needs to understand about this record; a socialist, political masterpiece that further explores Marley's Jamaican heritage." Charley Misner, Oshawa ON
5. Sinead O'Connor
Throw Down Your Arms (That's Why There's Chocolate and Vanilla)
"What a pleasant surprise that this disc is valid because nobody had a positive attitude towards this merge. Sly & Robbie add credibility, but Sinead's passion for this music is obvious and she sings for her life or at least soul." Steve Berman, Toronto ON
"Okay, it's Sinead, but damn it that girl can sing reggae like a real rasta! The songs from this album are great picks, and Sinead really did a great job, you gotta admit it!" Pascale Burquel, Granby QC
Readers Poll Results 2005
M.I.A.Arular (XL)
"M.I.A. was the zeitgeist of the Pitchfork generation, an album that made dorky male white critics weaned on guitar-based indie rock feel less dorky, white and male. But if this album was all romantic story and no substance, it would have been long forgotten by now, stored away in computer recycle bins next to Plastic Constellations and Camera Obscura MP3s." Daniel Sylvester, Windsor ON
"Shaking the foundations of the world." Scott Walters, Halifax NS
"I know everyone is going to pick this, but she ruled our CD players, clubs and iPods in 2005. I had no idea what I was singing, but I loved it." Brandon Gaukel, Chilliwack BC
"Never have I heard anything like this before. She is absolutely awesome in the true sense of the word and all music should be aurally exciting." Serge Gallant, Halifax NS
"It is not like any other thing out there, and that's good. M.I.A. makes global music sexy." Dave Love, Kingston ON
"This CD has found a way to soundtrack many events in my life: driving, walking to class, and drowning out my roommate's shitty music." Bobby Hiltz, Chester NS
"She owned 2005." Kortnee Borden, Toronto ON
"I love everything about this album it's fun with some incredible beats, but there is a political edge to it as well." Dana Kirkcaldy, Peterborough ON
"Amazing from start to finish." Missy Richardson, Welland ON
"I'm guessing I'm not alone here." Nicole Wynter, Toronto ON
"Different and refreshing, she is in a genre of her own." Victoria On, Vancouver BC
"I didn't think I could love this type of music this much." Corey Pierce, Oakville ON
2. Jamie Lidell
Multiply (Warp)
"This album is like the prodigal son of any nerdy white kid growing up grooving to soul, Afrobeat, funk and electro of the '60s, '70s and '80s. Granted, he wears the influences on his sleeve, but he does it so goddamned well, not quite leaving the Warp artist behind, but pairing it well with a little bit of soul." Liam Crockard, Toronto ON
"Production chops and a party starting set of vocal chords. World domination here he comes..." Michael Cumming, Montreal QC
"His soul, his tech and the voice in between made me move around and always turned my frown upside down." Ryan Hill, Regina SK
"Someone needs to check Lidell's mama 'cause there is way too much soul on this record for an Englishman. For a Warp Records IDM laptop producer to up and drop an electro/funk/R&B album of inarguable Al Green or George Clinton quality like this is plain shocking." Alan Ranta, Vancouver BC
3. Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings
Naturally (Daptone)
"Great album; I can't get it off my player." Nathan Jackson, Toronto ON
"Are you kidding me? You want me to explain in words how amazing they are? Just listen to the CD; better yet check them out live!" Andre Majaes, Montreal QC
"After having seen this woman perform twice with the amazing Dap Kings, I can barely stand to go without that type of permanent show in my city. I need Sharon to get my groove back." Danielle Gregoire, Ottawa ON
4. Damian Marley
Welcome to Jamrock (Universal)
"This an awesome reggae album." Linda Willison, Thornhill ON
"Listening to the title track is all one needs to understand about this record; a socialist, political masterpiece that further explores Marley's Jamaican heritage." Charley Misner, Oshawa ON
5. Sinead O'Connor
Throw Down Your Arms (That's Why There's Chocolate and Vanilla)
"What a pleasant surprise that this disc is valid because nobody had a positive attitude towards this merge. Sly & Robbie add credibility, but Sinead's passion for this music is obvious and she sings for her life or at least soul." Steve Berman, Toronto ON
"Okay, it's Sinead, but damn it that girl can sing reggae like a real rasta! The songs from this album are great picks, and Sinead really did a great job, you gotta admit it!" Pascale Burquel, Granby QC