by Wilfred Okiche

This year, some of the biggest names in music released much hyped albums to varying degrees of success. Wizkid, 2face, P-Square all dropped records but none of them was considered fitting enough to make our annual year end list.

The newcomers had a thing or two to teach complacent old hands about recording albums that sustain interest beyond the initial listen. Half of the list consists of debut records while the other half comprises a returning rap idol, his more interesting and revolutionary sibling, 2 fabulous females who have stayed away far longer than we would prefer them to and a chastised Brymo, starting out on a clean slate. The music was superb and it was plentiful.

While mainstream club goers were enthralled by the Shoki and the Sekem, the are the 10 albums that mattered this year. Presented in ascending order.

10. Anytime soon- Ajebutter 22

This 16-track album, produced almost entirely by Studio magic has the breezy sound and feel of something fresh, something exciting but where it could have broken new grounds sonically, had the producers been more daring, it stays within safe limits. Ajebutter 22 blurs the increasingly hard to differentiate lines between rapping and singing and rewards listeners with an effort that scores points for daring to be different.

9. The Journey- Sean Tizzle

Sean Tizzle is that artiste that did not go away when you expected him to, sticking around and stretching his fame beyond the 5 minutes awarded to guys like him. His debut, The Journey is one of the year’s welcome surprises. A fun, contemporary and groovy record that is as much Sean Tizzle’s success as it is his producer, D’tunes.it is bristling with life and bustling with creative energy.

8. Open doors- Nosa

Open doors is not particularly packaged like the run off the mill gospel album. While it is not pretentious about its purpose, the songs are recorded and packaged to a shiny gloss with careful considerations to accommodate even the most unconvinced sceptics. The record is a fun, refreshing piece of work that at once offers a peep into a young man’s heart, the greatness of his God and the ambitions of a forward-thinking record label.

7. Wazup guy- Falz the bahdguy

A lot of people missed out on this gem, a fat, meandering record that is a showcase for the rapper Falz the bahdguy and his team of creatives that offer a peep into what the next generation of music is likely to sound like. If Wazup guy is any indication, then the future of the industry is in safe hands. From blistering political analysis, social commentary to the challenges of young love, Falz lays it all down with a glint in his eye and plenty charm in his rhymes.

6. The Morning songbook- TY Bello

The music on The Morning Songbook may be free, available for download on TY Bello’s web page, but the quality is top notch. Bello works with her regular collaborator Mosa Adegboye, and together both music heads create a blissfully brief praise and worship session with the creator. Unabashedly gospel, the record is tastefully produced with TY Bello doing some vocal heavy lifting, and trying repeatedly to stay ahead of her backing choir.

5. No guts no glory- Phyno

If only No guts no glory were better arranged and all the unnecessary fillers cut to a tight 12 or 13 tracks, it would have been an instant contender for album of the year. Phyno makes some dubious decisions instead and dilutes the punch hinted at by the title. While the choice of songs are, understandable and maybe even necessary, it follows therein that the record will have to settle for a different kind of honour; the feel good album of the year.

4. The Chairman- MI

MI’s The Chairman is prime stuff and represents a subtle return to form for Jude Abaga. It respects the concept of the album and makes each track an experience to listen to without skip. Some tracks jump at you with their obviousness but it is the quiet ones that give the album its defining experience. Again MI moves to appease as many blocs as he possibly can but he still maintains his unique sensibility, proving that even after 4 years away, it is still Chairman season and we are all just living in it.

3. Jagz Nation Volume 2: The Royal Niger Company- Jesse Jagz

Jago’s second Jagz nation entry is an all-out rap album that takes barely a glance at the commercial lane. Mainstream audiences may find it too toxic to take in but for the hip hop heads, this is solid gold. An album as fully realised and relevant as any you may have heard this year, It stands out easily, more so for its cohesiveness and deserves to be saved in a time capsule, to be brought up years later when someone tries to suggest great records weren’t made in 2014. uncompromising, cerebral and painfully beautiful, Royal Niger Company is a deserving companion piece to Thy nation come and a worthy successor.

2. Bed of stone- Asa

The song writing on Bed of stone is top notch, Asa’s vocal delivery is precise but it is the arrangement of the music that takes the cake. Working with British producer, Blair MacKichan who has arranged songs for Sia and Lily Allen in the past, Asa sets every song afire with its very own melody. Whether it is the intricate guitars, piano strums, hand clapping or the joyous shimmying of feet, every song is an adventure and is as much a part of the record as they are stand-alone singles. And every one of the songs is recognizable as an Asa original. The mood may be dark but the sound is inherently uplifting.

1. Tabula Rasa- Brymo

For his 4^th album and 2^nd disc post Chocolate City, Brymo elects to wipe the chalkboard and start on a clean slate. His muse is unfailing, his talent is supreme, his voice is distinct and his concept remains true. From start to finish Tabula rasa is pure genius and demands instantly to be played in one satisfying take. And then over and over again. The songs from the generic love songs, Fe mi, to the racy cautionary tale, Prick no get shoulder are slices of the human condition. Whatever you do, don’t let the year go by without purchasing this one.

 

– The writer tweets from @drwill20