My top 10 Albums of the year... shazaaam!

OK the end of another year is upon us and this time last year I was struggling to settle on a top 20 let alone a top 10. So when 2007 started unleashing music upon the public I was skeptical as to how potent it would be compared to 2006 or the year I like to call 'The Year For The Bestest Music Ever.'

Well, let's not dwell on the past, shall we look at this year's list?

10 - Alicia Keys - As I Am: Ok so some people are wishing they could beat me down, but hear me out. Yea this is a great album and Alicia is one of a very small pack of vocalists who can transmit tears through any radio device. I still would have liked to have seen a little more bounce.

9 - Joss Stone - Introducing Joss Stone: UKs soulful power house released the album a lot of people (including Joss) have been waiting for. Full of limber vocal gymnastics and funky music beds, this album brought a big chunk of flavour to the table including a cameo from someone you may remember - Lauryn Hill.

8 - Eric Roberson - Left: Eric has a very unique voice and ever since I heard him collaborating with Jill Scott I knew Eric would hold a fond place in my heart. A delicate blend of love, lamenting and appreciation ooze from Left. Couldn't Hear Her is especially worth a listen.

7 - Common - Finding Forever: With friends like Jay Dilla, D'Angelo and Kanye West, who could go wrong. Common certainly deserves all the credit he gets with another blend of soulful, thought provoking hip hop gems. Some colourful collabs added even more to this release, did someone say LilY Allen?

6 - Gym Class Heroes - As Cruel As School Children: Doesn't this bring me back to when I copped wedgies on the basketball court. With fun tales of locker room rumours and Myspace flings, this is the teenagers guide book to living and surviving the high schools of America. The chunky beats and witty word play make this a pleasure to wonder through.

5 - Mark Ronson - Version: Not the easiest album to pigeon hole, Version was a mix of horn driven soul and modern rock crossovers. Just to see Daniel Merriweather wedged in between Lily Allen and Amy Winehouse made this worthy enough to be included in the top five.

4 - Talib Kweli - Eardrum: Possibly the sharpest, intelligent and nimble wordsmith in hip hop, Kweli put together a monster of an album in 2007 in Eardrum. Covering everything from religion and social displacement to straight up battle raps and family, Kweli could rap about taking a dump in the middle of a football game and still make you think.

3 - Katalyst - What's Happening: Another hard album to pigeon hole, What's Happening showcased everything from Australian hip hop to American soul. Along the way Katalyst showed off some killer instrumental cuts and a collection of versatile jams.

2 - Anthony Hamilton - Southern Comfort: Anthony is on par with Alicia Keys when it comes to effortlessly transporting emotion through his vocal delivery. Southern Comfort's pure emotional fragility coupled with its cool and lush music backdrops made it one of the best albums of the year.

1 - Amy Winehouse - Back To Black: Despite a variety of dramas, Amy was the artist I spoke about the most in 2007. Back To Black made it feel so good to feel so down. The album wasn't all doom and gloom though and it's cheeky, adult content made for a great listen for the discerning listener.

So what do you think?

2007 was not the most memorable of years for music, however I did have an odd year.

Bring on 08!!