So What Happened There Then?

Yes, its that time of year when we bloggers get to be self-indulgent and our readers pretend to be interested (or don't even bother to pretend in some cases). 

Let's get this over with as quickly as we can. The usual caveats apply - the lists will be different tomorrow, and even more different in a couple of year's time after I discover all sorts of fantastic records released this year that I have missed completely.

And the usual thanks as well. About half of the records listed below were sent to me by PR folk, and in most cases I would not have come across them otherwise. So many thanks to everyone in Promoland for opening my eyes to so many great artists.

Right, here goes with my top 10 albums:

10. "Off Off On" - This Is The Kit

9. "Together We Stand" - Richie Spice

8. "What A Life" - Sho Madjozi

7. "I Can Go Without You" - Sam Burton

6. "The True Story of Bananagun" - Bananagun

5. "Holiday" - Jennah Barry

4. "Sorry You Couldn't Make It" - Swamp Dogg

3. "The Dancing Devils of Djibouti" - Groupe RTD

2. "Bonny Light Horseman" - Bonny Light Horseman

My number one album of 2020 is "Big Time Baby" by Lesley Barth. As regular readers know I'm not very good at explaining why I like things, but suffice to say it is a collection of wonderful songs that are sung and arranged perfectly. 

This year we are introducing an EP of the year category just so we can give some much deserved acclaim to friend of the blog Asthmatic Harp for "Things We Learned To Live With" - a thing I would find hard to live without. Its an object of beauty.

Finally, we have joint winners in the pop single of the year category: Dadi Freyr with his Eurovision sensation "Think About Things", and "Hump The Beach" by Kalbells - the sensation that should have been.

Blooming Marvellous

 A selection of unseasonal blossoms for you today.

"Good Good Lovin'" - The Blossoms

"I Will Bring You This And That" - Blossom Toes

"I Wish You Love" - Blossom Dearie

"I Will Bring You This And That" might have made a suitable theme tune for this blog if it wasn't already named after another bit of psychedelic nonsense.

Ho Bloody Ho Ho

2020 has been a pretty crap year all round, and now many of us are unable to have the Christmas we would have wanted. 

But there is an upside. This may be the only Christmas when it is socially acceptable to be grumpy all the time. So make the most of it.

Feliz Navidad, you miserable sods. 

"An Awful Christmas And A Lousy New Year" - Swamp Dogg

"Who Took The Merry Out Of Christmas" - The Staple Singers

"Christmas In Prison" - John Prine

Trust The Scientist

I have lost count of the number of times this year we have been told to "follow the science", a message that would have greater credibility if it was actual scientists rather than politicians telling us to do so. 

If you want a real scientist you can trust, try this fellow.

"Goodtime" - Scientist

"Rush Dem Dub" - Scientist

And if you want someone to croon delightfully over that rhythm, try this fellow.

"Sweetie Come Brush Me" - John Holt

His Name Is Luka

More from the excellent Sahel Sounds label. This time it is Mali's Luka Productions, real name Luka Guindo, described in the Bandcamp blurb as "one of Bamako's hardest working producers".   

That certainly seems to be the case, as Luka and his chums have put out three quality albums in the last four years: "Mali Kady" (2016), "Fasokan" (2017) and "Fataw" (2019). Here is one track from each in chronological order. 

You lot being a bunch of inveterate hipsters you will probably claim to prefer his early stuff just on a point of principle. But for me "Fataw" is probably the pick of the bunch, although they are all worth a listen.

"Kini i Djibuibo Alla La Kan" - Luka Productions

"Furu Boyan" - Luka Productions

"Sitanba" - Luka Productions

Bringing Tsonga Disco To The Masses

Longstanding readers may remember that when I started this blog I had a mission, which was to promote the popular music of the Tsonga people of South Africa and Mozambique. 

We have had some small-scale impact over the years with a handful of European DJs and American hipsters picking up on tracks and artists we featured here, and I still get regular requests from fans trying to track down their favourites. When Damon from Blur championed the uptempo version of Tsonga Disco known as Shangaan Electro there was a bigger flurry of interest, but it never conquered the world.

That may be about to change as the first crossover Tsonga pop star has arrived - Sho Madjozi, a rapper and singer who had a big viral hit last year with her tribute to wrestler John Cena, as a result of which she has recently been signed by Epic Records.

Sho has already been very proud of her Tsonga heritage. Her first album was called "Limpopo Champions League" - Limpopo being the province in South Africa where she is from and where most Tsonga people live - and for her latest, "What A Life", she has incorporated its music much more explicitly than before. She has roped in local artists to help, including a couple we have featured here.

Undoubtedly the biggest coup for Tsonga fans is the involvement of Dr. Thomas Chauke, generally acknowledged to be the founding father of Tsonga pop music. Here is their duet, followed by one of the Great Man's own hits.

"Shahumba" - Sho Madjozi (featuring Thomas Chauke)

"Na Twanana" - Thomas Chauke & Shinyori Sisters

Pining For Piney

Tonight I was meant to be going to my first live gig for 10 months at the spooky church down the end of my road. Then on Monday night came the announcement that London was locking down again and the show - or at least the audience - got cancelled.

The artiste I was hoping to see was the mighty Piney Gir. While I can't be there in person she will be streaming her performance live on YouTube at 8.15pm GMT tonight, which is some consolation for me and a treat for the rest of you. 

Today's selections come from "Geronimo" (2011) - my favourite of Piney's albums that I've heard -and "Jesus Wept" (2010). I would like to dedicate them both to our Prime Minister, who is doing a brilliant job in difficult circumstances.

"Oh Lies" - Piney Gir

"I'm Better Off Without A Piece Of A Shell Of A Man" - Piney Gir