BEST ALBUMS OF 2010

… Requires at least three great songs to qualify …

OYO – Angelique Kidjo [3-30-2010]. Especially “Move On Up,” “Monfe Ran E.,” and “Afia.” Inspired, exotic and often playful tracks offered by African vocalist from Benin ( -- the birthplace of voodoo!).

HIGHWAY RIDER – Brad Mehldau [3-12-2010]. Especially “John Boy,” “Don’t Be Sad” “At the Tollbooth” and “Highway Rider.” Chill, high art jazz music in the vein of melancholy George Winston with improvisational groove.

EL TURISTA – Josh Rouse [3-9-2010]. Especially “Duerme,” “Lemon Tree” and “I Will Live on Islands.” Inspired by Cuban masters, bossa nova and flamenco guitar, Nebraskan native and baroque pop singer-songwriter heads to Spain to generate this half-English-½ Spanish motherlode of ay-yi-yi tracks.

ALMOST ALICE(3-2-2010)। Especially “Follow Me Down,” (30H3!) “The Technicolor Phase” (Owl City) and “Alice” (Avril Lavigne) “The Poison” (The All American Rejects) and “White Rabbit” (Grace Potter and The Nocturnals)। A spunky and original collection alternative and modern tracks combines fuels force behind the new Alice in Wonderland soundtrack.

SOLDIER OF LOVE – Sade [2-9-2010]. Especially “Solider of Love,” “The Moon and the Sky” and “Bring Me Home.” It’s been ten years since Sade dropped her last album, and we welcome the return of her sultry, emotionally-rich tracks.