Most Spun Albums of 2014

While most people do the “best” albums of each year, I decided to give you the ones I listened to the most because, well, I hardly ever listen to new stuff just because it is new. I like music that feels timeless to me, regardless of year, and I honestly find myself discovering music that has been around for a while and spin that shit until it smokes.

1. Lianne La Havas – Is your love big enough?

So talented it makes me jealous.

2. Jimi Hendrix – Are You Experienced

Always spinning; especially when shit needs to get done.

3. Heartless Bastards – Stairs and Elevators

Stumbled across this one randomly. Austin-based, with a sound right out of my favorite musical year

4. Little Brother – Chitlin Circuit

Shout out to Aaaron Deckler who hipped me to this. Real hip-hop head.

5. Lolawolf – Lolawolf

Lenny Kravitz’s daughter. Interesting to see what creative endeavors erupt from a creative family.

6. Janelle Monae – Electric Lady

Andre 3000-level cool.

7. Alabama Shakes – Boys and Girls

Just a great band. Wife was able to see them live at Bonnaroo. I wanted to go just to see them, then packup and get the hell out of there before I became a vagabond.

8. A Winged Victory for the Sullen – Atomos

Hipped to this one by my brother from another mother, AJ Leon. Inspiring music for creative moods.

9. Jodeci – Diary of a Mad Band

The greatest RnB album ever made. Don’t care what you say.

10. Drake – Nothing was the Same

I have a love/hate relationship with Drake. But, I appreciate him always being himself…even if at times that is a bit lame.

11. Miles Davis – Birth of the Cool/Kind of Blue

Always spinning.

12. Outkast – ATLiens

My favorite group of all time. 13th Floor/Growing Old… that is everything.

13. Bilal – 1st Born Second

So underrated. Dude is magic.

14. Cat Power – Myra Lee

A little crazy, insanely creative… a mix worth hearing.

15. Bone Thugs – East 1999 Eternal

Once and a while you go back to an old classic and here it in new ways. This is better now than it was then.

So, this has been in my ears all year long whether working, traveling, reading or writing. Looking back at this list makes me think I need an afro, a guitar, and really good lighting.

What have you been listening to? Let me know and I will add it to my list for 2015.

-C

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About

I am an author and a Creative Director. My latest books are:

As a full-time creative (Chief Creative Officer at Spherical), I spend most days at the desk leading a team of creatives to brand some of the best hotels in the world. So, I write in the nooks and crannies of my available time. I wake up at 5:30am just to get in a few hours putting words on paper. I write on the train. I write on planes. I write waiting in lines. I feel I have to write. The reason is simple: representation.

Cebo Campbell Author of Violet in Some Places

I often tell the story of Ferris Bueller; a kid who decides to skip school and, on charm alone, steals a car, impersonates a cop, drinks underage, tampers with computers, and at every step exposes his best friends to peril, only to go home and fall asleep with his mother to kiss him into sweet dreams. I asked myself if Ferris were Trayvon Martin, how might that story end? I know the answer. So do you. And this is why representation is so important. I aim to contribute more stories into the world that diversely feature regular (but beautiful) lives made extraordinary. Art, I believe, is the only way to accomplish this. All my creative work is inspired by and aims to add to all the great work in the world.