TOP 10 Underground Albums Of 2009

Given the fact that I've started this blog not long ago, and unfortunately I don't have enough time to review all the best albums released this year...so I've decided to put a list togheter of the top 10 Albums this year in my view.
And what better time, than Xmas, right...I would highly recommend any of the following albums to any Hiphop head this Xmas...in no specific order:

(Click Album Cover Art For iTunes Link)

Zion I - The Take Over:
Latin, Jazz, Techno, Dance, Blues, Funk and Rock all find a place here, and even when they may not work for a particular listener, the desire to try and experiment with everything can’t be overlooked and is part of what makes the album great. What’s important to note is that while the song by song break down goes to describing what can be found on the album, it doesn’t do justice to the music here. Zumbi’s lyrics are introspective and conscious enough to get better with every listen, and similarly, AmpLive’s production work incorporates so many genres and layers to the musical tapestry he creates here that it’s hard not to constantly pick up new pieces to the sound that you hadn’t heard before.

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Raashan Ahmad - Soul Power:
Without a doubt, after listening to Raashan Ahamd’s Soul Power (2009) it is clear that his soul is the window to his music and his music is the window to his soul. Ahmad has proven through his project that one’s soul and power can come in many forms. In Raashan Ahamd’s case it comes in 13 soulful forms over organic melodies and metaphors that collectively go by the title Soul Power (2009).

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J.J. Brown - Connect The Dots:
The main thing to focus on withConnect The Dots is how good a job J.J. Brown has done creating a record that is an eclectic but cohesive, positive yet forceful celebration of all the music he loves. A lot of artists try to make music out of all their disparate influences. Most of them end up sounding too much like their heroes than themselves. Brown has pulled off the trick of making an album that is clearly indebt to the past but not beholden to it, he made his influences serve him and not the other way around.

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Mos Def - The Ecstatic:
"At its start, "The Ecstatic" is more aggressive and a little spooky. The atmospheric "Auditorium" is built from a track off of Madlib's "Beat Konducta in India" series and features a captivating guest appearance from Slick Rick in which he imagines himself as a soldier in Iraq. "Quiet Dog Bite Hard" is a stark but shimmying rumbler made for Brooklyn mean streets. "The Ecstatic" flags in spots and the album's tricky samples take a while to absorb. But the 16-song collection offers proof that Mos Def can still be invigorated from a tight beat as much as a tightly written script."

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Souls Of Mischef - Montezuma Revenge:
Credit where it’s due, though: Montezuma’s Revenge confirms that SoM’s 1993 debut album, 93 ’Til Infinity, was no empty statement. This is hip hop for those who like beats that boom-bap, lyrics that run deep, and a general nostalgia-bleeding vibe that sticks fingers in ears and pretends that the past two decades never occurred.

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Fashawn - Boy Meets World:
If you like good Hip Hop, you owe it to yourself to own this…and if you have it already, well you probably already know that it’s a quality Xmas gift for anyone that appreciates the art form… One of those that you need to get it Hard copy…. Even if you don’t buy it, you will probably hear of Fashawn one way or the other, he has too much talent to be contained.

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Chief - Collabo Collection:
Much anticipated debut full-length by Swiss beatmaker Chief. With Collabo Collection, Chief delivers a groundbreaking collection of collaborations, made between 2005 and 2009, that showcase different facets of his genius beatmaking.The majority of the songs are previously unreleased. The album features an A-team list of guests including Moka Only, John Robinson, Kissey Asplund, Dynas, Blu, Co$$, Les Nubians, Just Brea, or Abstract Rude to name but a few.

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Brother Ali - Us:
Blending classic Hip Hop formulas with innovative techniques and unabashed lyricism, Us is another reminder of what this genre can produce. By defying the odds and crafting yet another quality release, Brother Ali gives Us one more reason to stay up with the underground.

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Tiye Phoenix - Half Woman Half Amazing:
HWHA is Highly recommended, and Tiye is probably the best Female MC (MC not a Rapper) I've heard in ages, Since Lauryn Hill & MC Lite...and feels like a breath of fresh air in HipHop right now.

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Wale - Attention Deficit:
Now this choice might come as a bit of a surprise, but I believe that Wale is one of the more promising mainstream MC's out there...and the production in the album is so deam tight....
Video Below from "Inside A Change" Sountrack

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Overall I think 2009 was a great year for HipHop, with a genuine felling that Gangsta Rap it's finally getting pushed to one side , giving room to a more conscious HipHop, full of lyricism, flow, beats & orignality...

Would be great to have your thoughts about these.

Enjoy