RollnSmokeRecords Presents: Best New Albums 2010

BEST ALBUMS OF 2010

… Requires at least three great songs to qualify …
…Listed by Release Date …

FIELDS – Junip [9-14-2010]. Especially “Rope An Summit,” “Always” and “Without You.” Junip Jose Gonzalez puts his solo efforts to work on his first full-length album where earnest & airy vocals mix with spacey atmospheric jams.

RING – Glasser [9-27-2010]. Especially “Home,” “Plane Temp” and “Mirrorage.” Debut album from Bjork-like, ethereal L.A. band is short and sweet like a gorgeous dream.

CATCHING A TIGER – Lissie [8-17-2010]. Especially “Little Lovin’,” “In Sleep” and “Everywhere I Go.” After an initial EP release last fall, this group is her debut full-length album and captures Lissie’s dusky, willowy folk-pop at its best.

HOW I GOT OVER – The Roots [6-21-2010]. Especially “Dear God 2.0,” “How I Got Over” and “Walk Alone.” A poignant reminder of life on gritty, urban streets with cameos from Roots members who lay it down with smart & soulful hip-hop.

DISTANT RELATIVES – Nas and Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley [5-18-2010]. Especially “As We Enter,” “Africa Must Wake Up” and “Count Your Blessings.” With awareness of Africa pride and despair, this collection of reggae and hip-hop sees some high-profile cameos and a strong message of hope.

BACKATOWN – Trombone Shorty [5-11-2010]. Trombone Shorty – Especially “Neph,” “Hurricane Season,” “Something Beautiful” and “Buckatown” [5-11-2010]. Big, phat trombone tracks by 24’year-old, already MVP of New Orleans Troy Andrews on his first Verve release.

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.

BOSTON’S FINEST – Sam Adams [3-10-2010]. Especially “Driving Me Crazy,” “Coast 2 Coast” and “You Girl.” Pop-oriented white-boy rap tracks load this debut album from local Boston college (Trinity) kid that will rock the cul de sac.

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.

BROKEN BELLS – Broken Bells [3-5-2010]. Especially “The High Road,” “The Ghost Inside” and “October.” Think: Shins, Danger Mouse, Gnarls Barkely, Gorillaz and Black Keys and you’ll have some notion of the alt-sound of this funky indie-group.

THE PURSUIT – Jamie Cullum [3-2-2010]. Especially “Wheels,” “Don’t Stop the Music” and “I’m All Over It”. The biggest selling British jazz artist of all time offers originals – many of which were composed on the piano in his kitchen! -- and ripe covers that delight and amaze.

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 of youthful 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.