I must say that 2009 proved to be another… challenging year for me. If it weren't for these songs and these albums from these artists, I'm sure that I would be alot more… unstable than i am now…

The ALBUMS:

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"Memoirs Of An Imperfect Angel" ~ Mariah Carey
Fuk the masses. They are sheep. But I am a (tentative) lamb. This album is hands down my favorite MiMi offering since… since… well… since the 90s. Rapperless since the mid-90s. & the first almost-mood album of her career (the dreadful "Obsessed" ruined that flow) proves that this woman is…

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"Day & Age" ~ The Killers
My faves: "I Can't Stay", "Human", "Joy Ride"

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“Santogold” ~ Santogold
My faves: "Shove It", "Anne", "Unstoppable"

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“Ladyhawke” ~ Ladyhawke
My faves: "Morning Dreams", "Professional Suicide", "Paris Is Burning"

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“Seventh Tree” ~ Goldfrapp
My faves: "Cologne Cerrone Houdini", "Road To Somewhere", "Happiness"

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“Evolver” ~ John Legend
My faves: "It's Over", "Good Morning", "Quickly"

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"Disco Romance", “Remix Romance Vol. 1 & 2” ~ Sally Shapiro
My faves: Find My Soul (Norweigan Electrojazz Mix), I'll Be By Your Side (Rude 66 808 Remix), He Keeps Me Alive (Skatebard Remix)

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Fri 24 Oct – Janet Jackson's 2008 Rock Witchu Tour

Although the KC date was mohawkless (& GIOM-less), I thoroughly enjoyed the Rockwitchu Tour's Show-Me State pitstop on 24 October 2008 at Kansas City, Missouri's Sprint Center. Of course!

The ticket prices were inexplicably more expensive than the DC date, but it's Janet. And at least she doesn't outprice her fanbase like many other female icons are doing.

But, my seats were Golden Circle: right in front of the catwalk that extends out into the first 15 rows of the arena. So, getting doused with random flopsweat from said diva…

Jazmine Sullivan ~ Dream Big
P!nk ~ I Don't Believe You
Julie Dexter ~ A Place For Us
Robyn ~ Should Have Known
Sharleen Spiteri ~ Francoise

Well, I bit the bullet and re-set my listening data at almost 120,000 tracks played. So, for posterity's sake, here were my top 300 artists and their corresponding # of plays for the last 2.5+ years:

1 Janet Jackson 10,049
2 Madonna 1,627
3 Rahsaan Patterson 1,467
4 Mary J. Blige 1,330
5 Me'Shell Ndegéocello 1,197
6 Goldfrapp 1,195
7 Mariah Carey 1,194
8 Amy Winehouse 1,130
9 Jamiroquai 1,117
10 Kelis 1,087
11 Kylie Minogue 1,080
12 Clara Hill 1,058
13 Amel Larrieux 1,036
14 Brandy 1,002
15 Nelly Furtado 962
16 George Michael 930
16 Erykah Badu 930…

My song recommendations are all about the men this week:

John Legend ~ "good morning"
George Michael ~ "Hand To Mouth"
FrankMusik ~ "That Much Is True"
Robin Thicke ~ "Cry No More"
Bryn Christopher ~ "Sour Times"

Here's Rahsaan Patterson's most recent myspace blog post regarding Amy Winehouse:

i love Amy!……….:grrr:

….but…….

to think that she has no one around her who will at least force her to take a BATH…….
is absolutely insane.

i adore her gift and talent.
and understand a human's right to do what they want.
and understand addictive nature….indeed.
but to see that she has no one on her side to at least make her take a BATH ………?

it hurt to witness such a thing.

I'm in the Uk at the moment.
here performing at the V Festival.
Amy…

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"All For You"

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"Damita Jo"

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"20YO"

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"Discipline"

1. Get It Out Me (20YO, 2006)
2. Put Your Hands On (Damita Jo bonus, 2004)
3. LUV (Discipline, 2008)
4. Strawberry Bounce (Damita Jo, 2004)
5. Island Life (Damita Jo, 2004)
6. Feedback (Discipline, 2008)
7. Take Care (20 YO, 2006)
8. So Excited (20YO, 2006)
9. Rock With U (Discipline, 2008)
10. Trust A Try (All For You, 2001)
11. Just A Little While (Just Blaze Remix) (Damita Jo era, 2004)
12. Better Days (All For You, 2001)
13. SloLove (Damita Jo, 2004)
14. Enjoy (20YO, 2006)…

Since we just crossed mid-year mark, I figured it was an appropriate time to list my favorite albums of the year thus far. Feel free to add yours as well!

Here are mine:

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10. "Hard Candy" ~ Madonna

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9. "Made In The Dark" ~ Hot Chip

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8. "Seventh Tree" ~ Goldfrapp

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7. "New Amerykah" ~ Erykah Badu

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6. "Some People Have Real Problems" ~ Sia

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5. "Sketches Of A Man" ~ Dwele

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4. "Rockferry" ~ Duffy

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3. "Santogold" ~ Santogold

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2. "Discipline" ~ Janet Jackson

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1. "Sam Sparro" ~ Sam…

For every mammothly successful or acclaimed album/lp, there are at least 5x as many projects that go unnoticed or unheralded. Therefore, I've created this space is to celebrate those albums that were unpopular, unnoticed, or underrated. Feel free to post yoUrs as well. Here's my first contribution:

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"Love In Stereo" ~ Rahsaan Patterson, 1999

In my humble opinion, Rahsaan Patterson is the premier male vocalist o' the day. The versatility and range of his voice has earned him a fan nickname of Rahsaan Khan, a nod to his obvious vocal similarities to the awesome Chaka Khan. And…