Rating: NNNNN
1 ZERO 7 SIMPLE THINGS (Ultimate Dilemma/Quango) Lush and lovely epic
pop with an edge.
2 ANGIE STONE MAHOGANY SOUL (J Records) In a great year for new soul,
Stone delivers the best.
3 DANNY MICHEL IN THE BELLY OF A WHALE (independent) Great insights,
humour and hooks from Canada’s important new singer/songwriter.
4 SPIRITUALIZED LET IT COME DOWN (BMG) Jason Pierce’s grand and
glorious re-launch of Spiritualized is a moody, moving success.
5 BASEMENT JAXX ROOTY (XL) Fun dance-floor frolic from Britain’s smiling
beat masters.
6 JAY-Z THE BLUEPRINT (Roc-A-Fella) He may sell tons of discs, but
it’s because he’s got tons of talent. Blueprint overflows with confidence,
great beats and rhymes.
7 KARDINAL OFFISHALL QUEST FOR FIRE (MCA) Does more than Mayor Mel to
sell T-dot to the world with phat beats and a sound that draws on the sounds of
this city.
8 JELLEESTONE JELLEESTONE THIRTEEN (Warner) A fantastic debut from
yet another talented Canadian hiphop player — and he’s not afraid to write a
hit.
9 THE NEW DEAL (Zomba) Fun, trippy tunes from Canada’s emerging jam
giants.
10 THE DEARS POP NOIR ORCHESTRAL ROMANTIQUE (Shipbuilding) Moody
Montreal dreamscapes that draw on a twisted recollection of French pop.
