Top 10 for 2016.

2016 was one of the most difficult years on record for me.  Not getting political, but losing so many of my musical heroes including my lifelong idol Prince was one of the hardest things i've had to go through.  But as always, music helped me get through it all.  These were the top 10 albums I enjoyed last year.  

10. - Radiohead/A Moon Shaped Pool  
It's been awhile since Thom and the boys have made it into one of my top 10 lists, but this release felt more like the old Radiohead than I've heard in a long time.  Felt like seeing an old friend that I haven't seen in awhile.  

9. AlunaGeorge/I Remember

Aluna Francis & George Reid finally released their follow up to 2013's Body Music, and it doesn't disappoint.  Electronic pop fused with R&B, this album is a fun energetic listen that brought me a lot of light moments when I needed them.  

8. A Tribe Called Quest/Thank You 4 Your Service
One of the big losses of the year, was Phife Dawg.  So one of the few bright spots was when we found out that they'd recorded one last album.  And with that the reminder of how truly groundbreaking they still are.  

7. Esperanza Spalding/Emily's D+Evolution
The jazz bass prodigy released yet another banger that is heavily fusion influenced with some amazing lyrical contributions. Esperanza in on her way to becoming an all around songsmith.  

6. Anderson Paak/Malibu
No sophomore slump to be found on Anderson's 2nd release.  The kid who made a name for himself working on Dr. Dre's "Compton" was nominated for a Grammy for Best Urban Contemporary Album for this album, that is deserving of the accolades.  

5. De La Soul/and the Anonymous Nobody
Again, I can't explain how difficult of a year 2016 was for a lot of people.  However, getting both a new Tribe and a new De La album in the same year was most certainly one of the highlights. 

I'm just now realizing while compiling this list of how many sophomore releases are compiled here.  And how maybe the "sophomore slump" doesn't exist anymore, because Jillian Rose Banks picked up right there she left off from her 2014 debut "Goddess."  I listened to this album A LOT.  

Of course one of the most significant losses from last year was the loss of the icon, David Bowie. But being the true artist he was, he left us a final gift in this last release.  I spent a lot of time with this one, and it still amazes me.  

2. Anthony Hamilton/What I'm Feelin'
Anthony has been churning out quality R&B under the radar for years now, but this in my opinion is his strongest release to date.  Front to back a solid album with multiple bangers, this would have been my #1 in any other year probably.  However......

1. Bruno Mars/24K Magic
Peter Gene Hernandez, professionally known as Bruno Mars has finally arrived. Working with uber-producer Mark Ronson this album channels all the swagger of Morris Day with the production and vocals of a long-lost Prince protege.  Funk tinged pop that is infectiously fun, this was an easy choice for #1 for me.