Top 10 of 2015.

2015 was a great year for music!  There were a lot of albums that I enjoyed, but these are the ones that exceptional in my mind. So without further ado, here's my top 10 album list for 2015.

10. Tori Kelly/Unbreakable Smile (Capitol)

The debut album from the girl that broke through by releasing videos of YouTube doing a Frank Ocean cover, does not disappoint.  It's flawless pop with solid production, and her vocals are impressive to say the least.  I was surprised at how much I liked this album, and she's been nominated for a Grammy for Best New Artist.  Highlights are the title track, "Nobody Love" and "Should've Been Us".

9. Lianne La Havas/Blood (Warner)

Leanne's sophomore release is a lot more well rounded than her debut effort from 2012 that got her on Prince's radar and got him to have her guest-star on last year's "Art Official Age".  Highlight tracks are "Green & Gold", "Wonderful" and "What You Won't Do. 

8. Mark Ronson/Uptown Special (Sony)

I've been a Mark Ronson fans for years now, primarily because of his work with Amy Winehouse and Nikka Costa.  He abandoned his wheelhouse (retro sounding funk) with his last release (Record Collection) and I wasn't sure how he was going to approach this album.  Well, he partnered with Bruno Mars and dropped 2 of the hottest singles of the year.  I didn't even realize I'd missed Mystikal until "Feel Right" and then there was the monster smash "Uptown Funk".  Needless to say, I think both Ronson and Mars realize that their next release needs to be a Ronson produced Mars album and they can both laugh all the way to the bank.  Stevie Wonder guest stars on a couple of tracks and check out "Heavy Rolling" featuring Andrew Wyatt.

7. Dr. Dre/Compton: A Soundtrack by Dr. Dre (Interscope/Aftermath)

With the release of the biopic "Straight Outta Compton" it seemed fitting that Dre would drop an album to remind us all why he's probably the Godfather of Gangster Rap.  Clearly the sound is heavily influenced (and probably ghost written) by Kendrick Lamar.  The list of guest stars is long and includes Anderson Paak, Snoop Dogg, Jill Scott, Eminem and of course Kendrick.  More on him later. 

6. Miguel/Wildheart (RCA)

Old leg-droppin' Miguel (I really need to stop calling him that, but I won't) is back and this release further solidified his role in today's new crop of R&B artists as their "Prince".  Funky, sensual and well written, it's a huge growth for him as an artist.  It's like he knows that Prince won't do tracks like "the valley", so he will.  And I appreciate it. 

5. the bird and the bee/Recreational Love (Rostrum)

Somehow Greg Kurstin found the time during his production duties on Adele's new album to get back together with his longtime partner Inara George and put together a collection of stellar pop songs with their unique style.  Highlights are "Young And Dumb", "Runaway" and "Doctor".

4. Alabama Shakes/Sound & Color (ATO)

Most years, this album would have been impressive enough to be the number 1 album of the year, and it will probably end up on the top of a lot of lists.  As I said earlier, this was an exceptional year for music.  Led by frontwoman Brittany Howard's amazing vocals, the album is a dizzyingly complex kaleidoscope of blues, rock and soul.  I can't single out tracks, because the whole album is epic from front to back.  

3. Adele/25 (Columbia/XL)

Everyone knows how much I adore Adele, and apparently i'm not the only one.  I couldn't wait for this release, and it was well worth the wait.  The debut single "Hello" was the biggest of the year, and returned her to her throne at the top of the industry.  So I know the question becomes "Ben, if you loved it so much, why is it not #1?"  It's an amazing album, and her vocals still move me to tears.  However, I feel like she played it a little safe on this one.  There's no tracks that sound like she was trying to stretch herself or go into new territory.  She stayed in her wheelhouse, which is fine but there were a couple of releases I had to rate a little higher. 

2. Andra Day/Cheers To The Fall (Warner)

Most people noticed Andra in the Apple Music holiday commercial that features Stevie Wonder. Her debut album hit me like no artist since Amy Winehouse.  Sounds like Amy, Adele & Billie had a baby.  But I hear a LOT of Amy in there.   This album impressed me so much.  Almost enough to be considered for #1.  Almost.  

1. Kendrick Lamar/To Pimp A Butterfly (Aftermath/Top Dawg)

I can't remember the last time a hip hop album sat at the top of one of my top 10 lists.  Mostly because I can't stand what hip hop has become.  In today's current political environment, I can't stomach what these clowns want to rap about.  And along comes Kendrick.  Instead of using his sophomore release to brag about his success, money and love life he uses his platform to shine a light on today's injustices. Kendrick has set the bar so fucking high, that the rest of the hip hop community should be embarrassed to not step their collective games up.  He did a track where he fucking interviewed Pac.  MIC DROPPED.  Kendrick deserves every Grammy he's nominated for and even the ones he's not.  This was an epic release that was sorely needed.  A classic that should hold up to the test of time.