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The Main Ingredient Radio Show NYC – Episode #184 (January 8, 2013)

The Main Ingredient Radio Show NYC – Episode #184 (January 8, 2013)
zaki ibrahim – draw the line (motif) – June 19, 2012 release
union – blue wave (fat beats) – January 31, 2012 release
rudimental – spoons featuring mnek and syron (black-butter.co.uk) – Feb. 20, 2012 release
jai paul – jasmine (xlrecordings.com) – March 30, 2012 release
the invisible – wings (ninjatune.net) – June 8, 2012 release
lianne la havas – don’t wake me up (nonesuch.com) – August 7, 2012 release
diggs duke – patiently, we bloom (diggsduke.bandcamp.com) – March 26, 2012 release
oddisee – the need superficial featuring olivier daysoul (mellomusicgroup.com) – June 5, 2012 release
robert glasper experiment – why do we try featuring stokely williams (bluenote.com) – February 28, 2012 release
part-time heroes – leaving (wahwah45s.com) – March 12, 2012 release
kendrick lamar – the heart pt. 3 (will you let it die?) (soundcloud.com/topdawgent) – October 21, 2012 release
krts – was she worth it (projectmooncircle.com) – December 7, 2012 release
rhye – open (innovativeleisure.net) – February 7, 2012 release
wildcat! wildcat! – mr. quiche (wildcatwildcat.bandcamp.com) – January 1, 2012 release
blu + exile – a man (dirty science/fat beats) – September 4, 2012 release
dojo cuts – sometimes it hurts (recordkicks.com) – April 13, 2012 release
gold panda – mountain (notown/ghostly.com) – June 11, 2012 release
busta rhymes – put your hands (cobrawolfshark remix) (cobrawolfshark.bandcamp.com) – March 2, 2012 release
fLako – lions mane (five-easy-pieces.com) – November 26, 2012 release
pandaboy – my condoleances (larry sparks remix) (pandaboy.bandcamp.com) – July 4, 2012 release
moodymann – why do u feel (kdj) – July 9, 2012 release
me’shell ndegeocello – see line woman featuring tracy wannomae (naive.fr) – October 9, 2012 release
flying lotus – getting there featuring niki randa (warp.net) – October 2, 2012 release
erika spring – hidden (jensen sportag remix) (cascine.us) – July 10, 2012 release
andrew ashong & theo parrish – flowers (sound signature) – August 2012 release
kylie auldist – all in you (tru-thoughts.co.uk) – October 22, 2012 release

The Main Ingredient is a weekly radio show covering brand new soulful underground music from around the world, featuring as in-studio interviews with the artists making it. New episodes can be found Wednesdays at noon at themainingredientradio.com/wp-content/uploads. The show began in May 2009 as a weekly broadcast from East Village Radio’s storefront studio on 1st Ave. & 1st St. in NYC and continued there until EVR closed it doors in May 2014. This episode is from the East Village Radio Archives.

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Ok, let’s get the stats and disclaimers out of the way: I downloaded, listened to and rated 8107 songs that came out in 2012. That’s more than double last year (3601). But, even combined with the (probably 5000) songs I streamed online and didn’t download – it’s only a small fraction of what was released, so this list should really be called The Best Albums That Happened to Cross My Path in 2012.

I’m pretty sure I can’t sustain that 225% growth rate but I’ll be happy to use it as the reason why I had to double the length of my Best Albums list this year.

A couple of notes
-Links in “My Favorite Tracks” go to Spotify. If you don’t already have it, you’ll need to download the Spotify App/Program to hear those songs with Spotify.
-The small album covers are linked to larger versions.
-Most of these artists are independent so if you love the music, please support them (by buying show tickets, merchandise…or the music) if/when you can!

1. The Invisible – Rispah
Based In: London
Label: Ninja Tune
Release Date: June 8, 2012
More Info/Support | Listen on Spotify
Social: @TheInvisible3
My Favorite Tracks: Wings, The Stain, Surrender, The Great Wound
2. Zaki Ibrahim – Every Opposite
Based In: Johannesburg
Label: Motif
Release Date: June 19, 2012
More Info/Support | Listen on Spotify
Social: Facebook
My Favorite Tracks: Draw The Line, Something In The Water, Black And Grey
3. Oddisee – People Hear What They See
Based In: Brooklyn
Label: Mello Music Group
Release Date: June 5, 2012
More Info/Support | Listen on Spotify
Social: @ODDISEE
My Favorite Tracks: The Need Superficial, Let It Go, Thinking Maybes, You Know Who You Are
4. Kendrick Lamar – good kid, m.A.A.d city
Based In: Los Angeles
Label: Aftermath/Interscope
Release Date: October 22, 2012
More Info/Support | Listen on Spotify
Social: @kendricklamar
My Favorite Tracks: Sing About Me, The Art Of Peer Pressure, Sherane A.K.A. Master Splinter’s Daughter, Real
5. Lianne La Havas – Is Your Love Big Enough?
Based In: London
Label: Nonesuch
Release Date: August 7, 2012
More Info/Support | Listen on Spotify
Social: Facebook
My Favorite Tracks: Don’t Wake Me Up, They Could Be Wrong, Au Cinema
6. KRTS – The Dread of an Unknown Evil
Based In: Brooklyn
Label: Project Mooncircle
Release Date: December 7, 2012
More Info/Support | Listen on Spotify
Social: @KrtsBrooklyn
My Favorite Tracks: Was She Worth It, Your Eyes, Something New
7. Robert Glasper Experiment – Black Radio
Based In: NYC
Label: Blue Note
Release Date: February 28, 2012
More Info/Support | Listen on Spotify
Social: Facebook
My Favorite Tracks: Why Do We Try, Cherish The Day, Move Love, Letter To Hermione
8. Part-Time Heroes – Lightfalls
Based In: London
Label: Wah Wah 45s
Release Date: March 12, 2012
More Info/Support | Listen on Spotify
Social: Facebook
My Favorite Tracks: Leaving, Words
9. Joy Denalane – Maureen
Based In: Germany
Label: Nesola GmbH/Four Music
Release Date: April 2, 2012
More Info/Support | Listen on Spotify
Social: @joydenalane
My Favorite Tracks: Roses, Steppin’ Up, No More
10. Positive Flow – Flow Lines
Based In: UK
Label: Flow Lines
Release Date: November 19, 2012
More Info/Support | Listen on Soundcloud
Social: Facebook
My Favorite Tracks: My Prediction, Universal Truth, Hold On, Do What I Do
11. fLako – Eclosure EP
Based In: London
Label: Five Easy Pieces
Release Date: November 26, 2012
More Info/Support | Listen on Bandcamp
Social: Facebook
My Favorite Tracks: Lions Mane, Mating Dance, Honey Drips
12. Kylie Auldist – Still Life
Based In: Melbourne
Label: Tru Thoughts
Release Date: October 22, 2012
More Info/Support | Listen on Spotify
Social: Facebook
My Favorite Tracks: All in You, Still Life, Changes
13. Hiatus Kaiyote – Tawk Tomahawk
Based In: Melbourne, Australia
Label: Self-Released
Release Date: April 1, 2012
More Info/Support | Listen on Spotify
Social: Facebook
My Favorite Tracks: The World It Soflty Lulls, Malika, Mobius Streak
14. Union – Analogtronics
Based In: Paris
Label: Fat Beats
Release Date: January 31, 2012
More Info/Support | Listen on Spotify
Social: Facebook
My Favorite Tracks: Blue Wave, Mystery Part 1, Baby Mama
15. S3 (Miles Bonny & Brenk Sinatra) – Supa Soul Sh*t
Based In: Kansas City & Vienna
Label: Melting Pot Music
Release Date: October 26, 2012
More Info/Support | Listen on Spotify
Social: Facebook
My Favorite Tracks: Chakal, All I Know, Movin On, Stars Shine
16. Michael Kiwanuka – Home Again
Based In: London
Label: Cherrytree/Interscope
Release Date: May 1, 2012
More Info/Support | Listen on Spotify
Social: Facebook
My Favorite Tracks: Tell Me A Tale, Worry Walks Beside Me
17. Submotion Orchestra – Fragments
Based In: Leeds, UK
Label: Exceptional Records
Release Date: September 21, 2012
More Info/Support
Social: Facebook
My Favorite Tracks: Sleepwalker, Intro, Blindspot
18. Me’Shell Ndegéocello – Pour Une Âme Souveraine: A Dedication To Nina Simone
Based In: NY (?)
Label: Naïve
Release Date: October 9, 2012
More Info/Support | Listen on Spotify
Social: Facebook
My Favorite Tracks: See Line Woman, Please Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood, Suzanne, Feelin’ Good
19. Weedy of 40 Winks – Retrospect Suite
Based In: Antwerp, Belgium
Label: Project Mooncircle
Release Date: December 14, 2012
More Info/Support | Listen on Spotify
Social: Facebook
My Favorite Tracks: Warmuils, The Blue, Dream About
20. Lee Fields & The Expressions – Faithful Man
Based In: Brooklyn (?)
Label: Truth & Soul
Release Date: March 13, 2012
More Info/Support | Listen on Spotify
Social: Facebook
My Favorite Tracks: I Still Got It, Who Do You Love
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Other Great Albums From 2012

Ok, I realize this is more information than anyone can absorb in one sitting but a ridiculous amount of good music came out in 2012 and I want to shine whatever small light I can onto these great projects that I didn’t include in my “Best Of” list.

Aesop Rock – Skelethon
Based In: San Francisco
Label: Rhymesayers
Release Date: July 10, 2012
More Info/Support | Listen on Spotify
Social: @AesopRockWins
My Favorite Tracks: Zero Dark Thirty, ZZZ Top, Fryerstarter, Ruby ’81, Racing Stripes
Anthony Valadez – Just Visiting
Based In: Los Angeles
Label: Plug Research
Release Date: June 5, 2012
More Info/Support | Listen on Spotify
Social: @anthonyvaladez
My Favorite Tracks: Walking Away, Begins
Blu & Exile – Give Me My Flowers While I Can Still Smell Them.
Based In: Los Angeles
Label: Dirty Science/Fat Beats
Release Date: September 4, 2012
More Info/Support | Listen on Spotify
Social: @HerFavColor & @ExileRadio
My Favorite Tracks: A Man, Maybe One Day, More Out of Life, The Only One
Breezy Lovejoy – O.B.E. Vol. 1
Based In: Los Angeles
Label: Self-Released
Release Date: June 30, 2012
More Info/Support/Listen on Bandcamp
Social: @BreezyLovejoy
My Favorite Tracks: Sadie, P.Y.P., Paradise, Zoseph
Bright Moments – Natives
Based In: NYC
Label: Luaka Bop
Release Date: February 7, 2012
More Info/Support | Listen on Spotify
Social: Facebook
My Favorite Tracks: Travelers, Traveling Light
Cecilia Stalin – Step Like a Giant
Based In: London
Label: Self-Released
Release Date: January 23, 2012
More Info/Support/Listen on Bandcamp
Social: @cestalin
My Favorite Tracks: Favorite Things, Afro Blue (Roots), So Blue N Green, Quinox, Cinematic Favorite, Favorite Seduction
Cody ChesnuTT – Landing on a Hundred
Based In: Tallahassee, FL
Label: Vibration Vineyard
Release Date: October 30, 2012
More Info/Support | Listen on Spotify
Social: @codychesnuTT
My Favorite Tracks: That’s Still Mama, I’ve Been Life
Columbia Nights – Dawn | Dusk
Based In: Washington, DC
Label: Recordbreakin
Release Date: May 14, 2012
More Info/Support | Listen on Spotify
Social: @Columbia_Nights
My Favorite Tracks: As You Are, In The Glow
Diggs Duke – Mass Exodus: Volume 2
Based In: Washington, DC
Label: Self-Released
Release Date: October 16, 2012
More Info/Support/Listen on Bandcamp
Social: @DiggsDuke
My Favorite Tracks: Well Repel, Duty of Grace
DJ Mitsu The Beats – Beat Installments
Based In: Tokyo
Label: Jazzy Sport
Release Date: April 25, 2012
More Info/Support | Listen on Spotify
Social: Facebook
My Favorite Tracks: Slide, Snow Bunny, Cloud 9, Steep
Eric Lau – The Mission EP
Based In: London
Label: Kilawatt Music
Release Date: February 3, 2012
More Info/Support | Listen on Spotify
Social: @ericlaumusic
My Favorite Tracks: He Said/She Said, Yesterday
ERIMAJ – Conflict of a Man
Based In: NYC
Label: Don’t Cry
Release Date: August 21, 2012 release
More Info/Support | Listen on Spotify
Social: @_ERIMAJ
My Favorite Tracks: Nothing Like This, Conflict of a Man, Social Life
Flying Lotus – Until The Quiet Comes
Based In: Los Angeles
Label: Warp
Release Date: October 2, 2012
More Info/Support
Social: @flyinglotus
My Favorite Tracks: Getting There, All In
Freddie Joachim – Fiberglass Kisses
Based In: California
Label: Mellow Orange
Release Date: October 30, 2012
More Info/Support | Listen on Spotify
Social: @FreddieJoachim
My Favorite Tracks: Keep Lovin’, To Remind Us, Hold You Through The Storm
Funkommunity – Chequered Thoughts
Based In: Auckland, New Zealand
Label: Melting Pot Music
Release Date: July 20, 2012
More Info/Support | Listen on Spotify
Social: Facebook
My Favorite Tracks: Make It That Way, Northwest & 4th, The Light
Gizmo – Red Balloon
Based In: Boston
Label: Revive Music
Release Date: October 2, 2012
More Info/Support | Listen on Spotify
Social: Facebook
My Favorite Tracks: Lift Me Up, Red Balloon, Insane
Grasscut – Unearth
Based In: Brighton, Britain
Label: Ninja Tune
Release Date: July 13, 2012
More Info/Support | Listen on Spotify
Social: @grasscutmusic
My Favorite Tracks: Lights, From Towns And Fields
Grooveman Spot – Paradox
Based In: Sendai, Japan
Label: Jazzy Sport
Release Date: October 17, 2012
More Info/Support | Listen on Spotify
Social: @groovemanspot
My Favorite Tracks: The New Terrain, Take A Stance, Pretending
Insightful – Blossom Beautiful
Based In: San Francisco/San Diego
Label: Self-Released
Release Date: May 31, 2012
More Info/Support/Listen on Bandcamp
Social: @insightful_ew
My Favorite Tracks: Brace Let, Kuckles, Smoke
Just a Band – Sorry For The Delay
Based In: Nairobi, Kenya
Label: Self-Released
Release Date: October 27, 2012
More Info/Support | Listen on Spotify
Social: @justaband
My Favorite Tracks: Looking For Home, Probably For Lovers
Kelan Philip Cohran & The Hypnotic Brass Ensemble – S/T
Based In: Chicago (?)
Label: Honest Jon’s
Release Date: May 25, 2012
More Info/Support | Listen on Spotify
Social: HBE Facebook
My Favorite Tracks: Spin, Pontiac, Ancestral
Kidsuke (Kidkanevil & Daisuke Tanabe) – Kidsuke
Based In: Tokyo (?)
Label: Project Mooncircle
Release Date: November 2, 2012
More Info/Support | Listen on Spotify
Social: @kidkanevil + @daisuketanabe = @Kidsuke
My Favorite Tracks: MoOoOoOn, Nanotrees (Out In The Woods), The Other Day We Thought Of Our Friends
Mathias Stubø – S/T
Based In: Norway
Label: BBE
Release Date: June 12, 2012
More Info/Support | Listen on Spotify
Social: @proviantaudio
My Favorite Tracks: Knock On My Door, Soon a Brighter Day, Don’t Give Up On Me
Moodymann – Why Do U Feel EP
Based In: Detroit
Label: KDJ
Release Date: July 9, 2012
More Info/Support / Listen on Soundcloud
Social: Facebook
My Favorite Tracks: Why Do U Feel, Born 2 Die
Oddisee – Odd Renditions
Based In: Brooklyn
Label: Oddisee Music
Release Date: May 15, 2012
More Info/Support/Listen on Bandcamp
Social: @oddisee
My Favorite Tracks: Ain’t That Peculiar, The Gold Is Mine
Pomrad – Vlotjes
Based In: Antwerp, Belgium
Label: Ooh Wee
Release Date: May 11, 2012
More Info/Support | Listen on Soundcloud
Social: Facebook
My Favorite Tracks: Say What, Dans, Good Night Girl
Roane Namuh & Reva DeVito – Cloudshine
Based In: Portland
Label: Self-Released
Release Date: February 14, 2012
More Info/Support/Listen on Bandcamp
Twitter: @RoaneNamuh & @RevaDeVito
Favorite Tracks: C(h)ampagne, Frozen, Candy, Should Have Known
Rocket Juice & The Moon – S/T
Based In: Multiple Locations
Label: Honest Jon’s
Release Date: March 26, 2012
More Info/Support | Listen on Spotify
Social: tumblr
My Favorite Tracks: Lolo, Follow-Fashion, Benko
Shlohmo – Vacation EP
Based In: Los Angeles
Label: Friends of Friends Music
Release Date: Feb. 7, 2012
More Info/Support/Listen on Bandcamp
Social: @shlohmo
My Favorite Tracks: The Way U Do, Wen uuu, Rained The Whole Time (Nicolas Jaar Remix)
Shortcircles – Shortcircles EP
Based In: Oakland
Label: Plug Research
Release Date: February 14, 2012
More Info/Support | Listen on Spotify
Social: @shortcircles
My Favorite Tracks: Fallin’, (pretty much all of them)
Sola Rosa – Low and Behold, High and Beyond
Based In: New Zealand / Australia
Label: Self-Released
Release Date: August 10, 2012
More Info/Support/Listen on Bandcamp
Social: @solarosa
My Favorite Tracks: In My Dreams, Misunderstood, Promise
Sonnymoon – S/T
Based In: (it would seem that they prefer to keep it a secret)
Label: Plug Research
Release Date: May 22, 2012
More Info/Support | Listen on Spotify
Social: Facebook
My Favorite Tracks: Greatness, Nothing Thought, Universal Appeal
State of Zoe – Mind (Part I) EP
Based In: Tallin, Estonia
Label: Self-Released
Release Date: April 19, 2012
More Info/Support/Listen on Bandcamp
Social: @stateofzoe
My Favorite Tracks: My Fortress, Two Ways We Fall
Sy Smith – Fast And Curious
Based In: Los Angeles
Label: Psyko
Release Date: March 6, 2012
More Info/Support | Listen on Spotify
Social: Facebook
My Favorite Tracks: The Ooh To My Aah, Messages From The Stars
Vacationer – Gone
Based In: Philadelphia (?)
Label: Downtown Music
Release Date: March 20, 2012
More Info/Support | Listen on Spotify
Social: Facebook
My Favorite Tracks: Trip, Be With You, Good As New, Everyone Knows
Vanilla – Soft Focus
Based In: United Kingdom
Label: Self-Released
Release Date: May 7, 2012
More Info/Support/Listen on Bandcamp
Social: Tumblr
My Favorite Tracks: The Winter, Hate To Ask, By, Tomorrow, Used To Be, A Chance
Visioneers (Marc Mac Presents) – Hipology
Based In: London
Label: BBE
Release Date: June 8, 2012
More Info/Support | (Not to be confused with the mixtape version on Spotify and Bandcamp)
Social: Facebook
My Favorite Track: Come And Play In The Milky Night
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The Main Ingredient Radio Show NYC – Episode #136 (January 3, 2012)
oddisee – al mawrada (mello music group) – May 17, 2011 release [support]
boom clap bachelors – falder ind og falder ud (plug research) – May 17, 2011 release [support]
new look – nap on the bow (!k7 germany/uk) EU – Sept. 26, 2011 release [support]
SBTRKT – trials of the past featuring sampha (young turks) – June 24, 2011 release [support]
jesse boykins III – light to dark (self-released) – June 30, 2011 release [support]
tall black guy – with you (self-released) – Sept. 2011 release [support]
vindahl – monday i die (tokyo dawn) – Oct. 17, 2011 release [support]
saturn never sleeps – hearts on fire (saturn never sleeps) – Aug. 2, 2011 release [support]
m-phazes – raise it up for dilla (self-released) – March, 2011 release [support]
jon phonics – the one (chakra sounds) – May 17, 2011 release [support]
evil needle – summer blap (self-released) – April 18, 2011 release [support]
malice & mario sweet – speed of light (self-released) – Feb. 14, 2011 release [support]
icey – salva (FoF) – Feb. 5, 2011 release [support]
b. bravo – kiss ‘n’ tell featuring zackery force funk (earnest endeavors) – Oct. 24, 2011 release [support]
b.lewis – streetview (self-released) – March 11, 2011 release [support]
full crate – fluffy dragons (wonderful ear) – Oct. 21, 2011 release [support]
omar & zed bias – dancing (tru thoughts) – June 27, 2011 release [support]
little dragon – when i go out (peace frog) – July 22, 2011 release [support]
scrimshire – ascension featuring the hackney colliery band (wah wah 45s) – Nov. 11, 2011 release [support]
oscar + martin – oyster / lions heart (twobrightlakes) – April 15, 2011 release [support]
wildcookie (freddie cruger & anthony mills) – jackson miles (tru thoughts) – March 8, 2011 release [support]
swiff d – 100 man march (self-released) – Feb. 2011 release [support]
brenk – one daaay (melting pot) – Sept. 23, 2011 release [support]
ta-ku – out of my way (self-released) – May 31, 2011 release [support]
jamie woon – night air (polydor uk) – April 12, 2011 release [support]
james blake – i never learnt to share (r & s) – Feb. 7, 2011 release [support]
jono mcleery – tomorrow (ninja tune) – Sept. 27, 2011 release [support]
submotion orchestra – all yours (exceptional) – May 23, 2011 release [support]
fredericks brown – land of plenty (jazz&milk) – April 18, 2011 release [support]
king – supernatural (self-released) – March 1, 2011 release [support]
krts – rooftop (project mooncircle) – Sept. 23, 2011 release [support]

The Main Ingredient is a weekly radio show covering brand new soulful underground music from around the world, featuring as in-studio interviews with the artists making it. New episodes can be found Wednesdays at noon at themainingredientradio.com/wp-content/uploads. The show began in May 2009 as a weekly broadcast from East Village Radio’s storefront studio on 1st Ave. & 1st St. in NYC and continued there until EVR closed it doors in May 2014. This episode is from the East Village Radio Archives.

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Just to state the obvious, I only heard a small fraction of the music that came out this year but I did manage to acquire, listen to and rate 3601 songs that were released in 2011. The percentage of music that is released as albums by record labels is definitely shrinking but they still have the lion’s share, for now. Here are my favorites. I’ll also be playing my favorite songs of 2011 on my January 3rd show.

Every album listed here is either released by an independent label or by the artists themselves. Please support if and when you can.

1. Vindahl – Serendipity (Tokyo Dawn)
Release Date: October 17, 2011
Copenhagen
More Info/Support

2. Jono McCleery – There Is (Counter/Ninja Tune)
Release Date: September 27, 2011
London
More Info/Support | @JonoMcCleery

3. SBTRKT – SBTRKT (Young Turks)
Release Date: June 24, 2011
London
More Info/Support | @SBTRKT

4. B.Lewis – Science Within Reason (Self-Released)
Release Date: March 11, 2011
San Jose/San Francisco
More Info/Support | @blewis17

5. James Blake – James Blake (R & S)
Release Date: February 7, 2011
London
More Info/Support | @jamesblake

6. New Look – New Look (!K7 – only available in the UK and Germany right now)
Release Date: September 26, 2011
Brooklyn/Ontario
More Info/Support | @new_look_

7. Oscar + Martin – For You (TwoBrightLakes)
Release Date: April 15, 2011
Melbourne
More Info/Support | @Oscarandmartin

8. Toro Y Moi – Underneath The Pine (Carpark)
Release Date: February 21, 2011
Columbia, South Carolina
More Info/Support | @ToroyMoi

9. Salva – Complex Housing (FoF)
Release Date: February 5, 2011
Los Angeles
More Info/Support | @THEPROBLEMSALVA

10. Scrimshire – The Hollow (Wah Wah 45s)
Release Date: November 11, 2011
London
More Info/Support | @scrimshire

Other Excellent Projects That Came Out This Year
Bon Iver – Bon Iver (Jagjaguwar) Release Date: June 21, 2011
Minnesota, WI | More Info/Support | @boniver

Brenk – Gumbo 2: Pretty Ugly (Melting Pot) Release Date: September 23, 2011
Vienna | More Info/Support | @BrenkSinatra

Dego – A Wha’ Him Deh Pon? (2000 Black) Release Date: June 20, 2011
Brooklyn/London | More Info/Support | @2000black_dego

Elzhi – Elmatic (Self-Released) Release Date: May 10, 2011
Detroit | More Info/Support | @ELZHI

Evil Needle – Cirrostratus (Self-Released) Release Date: April 18, 2011
Strasbourg, France | More Info/Support | @itsmeneedle

Full Crate – Golden Glasses (Wonderful Ear) Release Date: October 21, 2011
Amsterdam | More Info/Support | @fullcrate

Hypnotic Brass Ensemble – Bulletproof Brass (Choice Cuts) Release Date: July 20, 2011
Chicago/NYC | More Info/Support | @hypnoticbrass

I, Ced – All In My Mind (Record Breakin’) Release Date: July 12, 2011
Los Angeles | More Info/Support | @i_ced

iSHÉ & Hezekiah – iSHÉ & Hezekiah Project (Self-Released) Release Date: June 1, 2011
San Diego & Philadelphia | More Info/Support | @iSHETHAiSH & @hezekiah3rd

Illvibe Collective – All Together Now (Soulspazm) Release Date: March 29, 2011
Philadelphia | More Info/Support | @illvibecrew

Jesse Boykins III – Way Of A Wayfarer (Self-Released) Release Date: June 30, 2011
Brooklyn | More Info/Support | @JB3Music

King – The Story EP (Self-Released) Release Date: March 1, 2011
Los Angeles | More Info/Support | @wearekingmusic

Krts – Hold On EP (Project Mooncircle) Release Date: September 23, 2011
Brooklyn | More Info/Support | @KrtsBrooklyn

Miles Bonny – Lumberjack Soul (Melting Pot) Release Date: June 24, 2011
Kansas City | More Info/Support | @milesbonny

Oddisee – Rock Creek Park (Mello Music Group) Release Date: August 23, 2011
Brooklyn | More Info/Support | @oddisee

Sarah White – Space Madness (Cultura Love) Release Date: October 18, 2011
Brooklyn | More Info/Support | @sarahwhiteblack

Saturn Never Sleeps – Yesterday’s Machine (Saturn Never Sleeps) Release Date: August 2, 2011
Philadelphia | More Info/Support | @satnevsleeps

Shigeto – Full Circle Remixes (Ghostly International) Release Date: February 1, 2011
Brooklyn | More Info/Support | @__SHIGETO

Space Invadas – Soul:Fi (BBE) Release Date: February 21, 2011
Sydney | More Info/Support | @spaceinvadas

Submotion Orchestra – Finest Hour (Exceptional) Release Date: August 23, 2011
Leeds | More Info/Support | @Submotion

Sunclef – The Tesser∆ct (Self-Released) Release Date: April 22, 2011
Toronto | More Info/Support | @snclf

Ta-ku – DAY & NIGHT EP. (highs & lows x new balance) Release Date: April 10, 2011
Perth | More Info/Support | @TakuBeats

Ta-ku – Scraps (Self-Released) Release Date: May 31, 2011
Perth | More Info/Support | @TakuBeats

The Stuyvesants – The Finer Things Vol. 1&2 (SD) Release Date: October 17, 2011
Brooklyn | More Info/Support | @TheStuyvesants

Teeko – Light Up The Darkness (4onefunk) Release Date: February 21, 2011
San Francisco | More Info/Support | @TeekoMusic

TiRon & Ayomari – A Sucker For Pumps (The Cafeteria Line) Release Date: September 13, 2011
Los Angeles | More Info/Support | @TiRon & @ayomari

Various – The Boogie (Tokyo Dawn) Release Date: January 21, 2011
Munich | More Info/Support | @TOKYODAWN

Various – The Heart Volume 2 (Tokyo Dawn) Release Date: July 29, 2011
Munich | More Info/Support | @TOKYODAWN

When Saints Go Machine – Fail Forever EP (!K7) Release Date: February 21, 2011
Copenhagen | More Info/Support | @whensaints

Wildcookie (Freddie Cruger & Anthony Mills) – Cookie Dough (Tru Thoughts) Release Date: March 8, 2011
Stockholm | More Info/Support | @ghettotrance

Zebrahim – In My Heart I Am (Self-Released) Release Date: May 17, 2011
Paris, Vancouver | More Info/Support | @eebsofresh + @hazeldizzy

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The Main Ingredient Radio Show NYC – Episode #85 (January 4, 2011)

The Main Ingredient Radio Show NYC – Episode #85 (January 4, 2011)
onra – oper8tor (all city)
alex b – you and i both know (elm & oak)
oddisee – in the now featuring olivier daysoul (oddisee)
kings go forth – high on your love (luaka bop)
cee-lo – i want you (monk’s just until it drops edit) (elektra)
b. bravo – computa love (frite nite)
b. lewis – day 3: diary of a maniac (blewis.bandcamp.com)
the roots – radio daze featuring blu, porn & dice raw (def jam)
new look – numbers (newlookmusic.com)
paul white – so far away (tranqill’s version) (soundcloud.com/alexchase)
electric wire hustle – again (bbe)
bullion – crazy over you (bullion.bandcamp.com)
dimlite – can’t get used to those (afterlude) (now again)
the stuyvesants – softer side (sd)
bilal – free (plug research)
krystal klear – tried for your love (all city)
francis and the lights – for days (cantora)
dinner at the thompson’s – different beings featuring lee fields (earth at work)
olivier daysoul – foolish (oddisee)
quadron – pressure (plug research)
benny tones – nevermind featuring mara tk (every waking hour)
hypnotic brass ensemble – spottie (choice cuts)
cee-lo – champain (mixtape)
jamie lidell – completely exposed (warp)
erykah badu – umm hmm (universal motown)
fid mella – ready (melting pot)
dukehugh – don’t they know (dukehugh.com)
bonobo – stay the same featuring andreya triana (ninja tune)
black milk – welcome (gotta go) (decon)
phantom lover – beaucoup papa featuring fatima (phantomlover.bandcamp.com)
trilogy – brother don’t cry (brownswood)
b. lewis – day 7: bare necessities (blewis.bandcamp.com)
black spade – new u (mixtape)

The Main Ingredient is a weekly radio show covering brand new soulful underground music from around the world, featuring as in-studio interviews with the artists making it. New episodes can be found Wednesdays at noon at themainingredientradio.com/wp-content/uploads. The show began in May 2009 as a weekly broadcast from East Village Radio’s storefront studio on 1st Ave. & 1st St. in NYC and continued there until EVR closed it doors in May 2014. This episode is from the East Village Radio Archives.

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I have by no means heard every album that came out this year (or even every album relevant to the music I like), but I have heard quite a few and here are my favorites:

1. Electric Wire Hustle – Electric Wire Hustle (BBE)
2. Oddisee – Odd Spring (Oddisee Music)
3. B.Lewis – La Semaine (Self-Released)
4. The Stuyvesants – Brooklyn’s Finest (SD)
5. The Roots – How I Got Over (Def Jam)
6. Bonobo – Black Sands (Ninja Tune)
7. Onra – Long Distance (All City)
8. Bilal – Airtight’s Revenge (Plug Research)
9. Benny Tones – Chrysalis (Every Waking Hour/Wonderful Noise)
10. Quadron – Quadron (Plug Research)
11. Hi-Hat Club Vol. 4 – Chopshop (Melting Pot)

How times change…I only have one of these albums on CD (four are digital-only releases). If any of the labels listed want to send me a CD as a thank you for supporting, please do!

– –

1. Electric Wire Hustle – Electric Wire Hustle (more info)
Label: BBE (London)
Release Date: July 19, 2010

2. Oddisee – Odd Spring (more info)
Label: Oddisee Music (Maryland/Brooklyn)
Release Date: May 11, 2010

3. B.Lewis – La Semaine (more info)
Label: Self-Released (Northern California)
Release Date: September 8, 2010

4. The Stuyvesants – Brooklyn’s Finest (more info)
Label: SD (Brooklyn)
Release Date: June 1, 2010

5. The Roots – How I Got Over (more info)
Label: Def Jam
Release Date: June 21, 2010

6. Bonobo – Black Sands (more info)
Label: Ninja Tune (London, Montreal)
Release Date: March 29, 2010

7. Onra – Long Distance (more info)
Label: All City Records (Dublin)
Release Date: May 17, 2010

8. Bilal – Airtight’s Revenge (more info)
Label: Plug Research (Los Angeles)
Release Date: September 14, 2010

9. Benny Tones – Chrysalis (more info)
Label: Every Waking Hour (New Zealand), Wonderful Noise (Japan), Not Available In The U.S.
Release Date: May 23, 2010

10. Quadron – Quadron (more info)
Label: Plug Research (Los Angeles)
Release Date: March 23, 2010

11. Hi-Hat Club Vol. 4 – Chopshop (more info)
Label: Melting Pot Music (Cologne, Germany)
Release Date: May 14, 2010

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The Main Ingredient Episode #34 (January 5, 2010)
el michels affair – uzi (pinky ring) (truth and soul)
homemade – feel like (bacardi vista)
joy jones – supernova (future soul)
hudson mohawke – rising 5 (warp)
mayer hawthorne – maybe so, maybe no (stones throw)
little dragon – feather (peace frog)
shafiq husayn – cheeba featuring bilal (plug research)
diamond district – streets won’t let me chill (oddisee music)
afta-1 – love suite 2 (sit still)
raekwon – ason jones (ice h2o/emi records)
lee fields & the expressions – ladies (truth and soul)
pure p – body heat (g.a.m.m)
mos def – casa bey (downtown music)
floatingpoints – love me like this (ftps remix)
dam funk – burn straight thru u (stones throw records)
zero 7 – medicine man featuring eska (atlantic)
dirty projectors – stillness is the move (domino)
fat freddy’s drop – big bw (the drop)
sa-ra creative partners – love czars (ubiquity)
eska – inside out (live)
jay electronica – exhibit a (decon)
little dragon – come home (peace frog)
black spade – untitled mix ii featuring coultrain
de la soul – forever (nike)
joy jones – over (future soul / love jones)

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Top 10's for 2008

My Favorite Albums of 2008
Jazzanova – Of All The Things (Verve)
Boomclap – Kort Før Dine Læber (Music For Dreams)
Various – Brownswood Bubblers 3 (Brownswood)
Nobody Presents Blank Blue – Western Water Music Vol. II (Ubiquity)
Various – Doin’ James (GAMM)
Daru Jones – Spirit Drumz – Chapter 1 (Rusic)
Natural Self – The Art Of Vibration (Tru Thoughts)
Lykke Li – Little Bit EP (LL)
Q-Tip – The Renaissance (Universal) Black Milk – Tronic (Fat Beats)
Raphael Saadiq – The Way I See It (Columbia)

My Favorite Songs of 2008
The Foreign Exchange – Daykeeper featuring Muhsinah (Rhymesayers)
Karl Hector + The Malcouns – Followed Path (Now Again)
Jose James – Desire (Moodymann Remix) (Brownswood)
Black Spade – Evil Love (Ohm)
Charlie Dark & Roger Robinson – Prayer For Angry Young Men (Brownswood)
Lykke Li – Little Bit (LL)
Hygher Baby – Coming Home (Part 2) feat. Fatima (Circulations Japan)
Kylie Auldist – Community Service Announcement (Tru Thoughts)
Bennson – Let The Love (Original Extended DJ Version) (Raw Fusion)
Katalyst – How Bout Us Featuring Steve Spacek (Brownswood)

2008 MVP
Phonte Coleman