Top 10 of 2010 [Soul Edition]:#1 Janelle Monae " The ArchAndroid "

If I took the time to express to the world WHY this is the #1 album of 2010 and may actually be a top 10 soul album of decade, we'd be here all muh-fuggin day. Janelle Monae constantly proves time and time again that her influences grew her talents to such a level of expression that listening to her actually pulls you back decades. Before you know is you're hearing Michael Jackson, Prince, James Brown, Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Wonder, etc. Then the album end just as fast is it begin with tracks like Faster. Her interludes are some of the most beautiful displays of orchestral sampling in hip hop. Songs like Neon Valley Street are like no other's I've heard in a very long time. The album is a masterpiece.

Top 10 of 2010 [ Soul Edition]: #2 Corinne Bailey Rae " The Sea "

In my mind, I have long walks through the park holding hands with Ms. Bailey Rae as she whispers "Like a Star" in ear.  But that'll never happens, so The Sea in my headphones the best I can do, and its all I really need.  This album is the follow up to her Self-Title LP which was release while her husband was alive.  The death of her husband seemed to bring Corinne's music career to a screeching halt and fans like myself weren't sure of her return.  The Sea brought about a darker Corinne who still seemed to me morning the death of her love, but it also shown an enjoyment and love for the music that's allowed her to make it through those hard times.  I don't think there's any LP released this year that is similar to the mood or feel of this album.

Top 10 of 2010 [ Soul Edition]: #3 The Black Keys " Brothers "

Who are the Black Keys.  Uhhh... ---> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Black_Keys   Do your research please.  We at WM40A don't have time to do that for you.. Wait, don't we already do that?  Anyway, the Black Keys have had they're hand in the rap game for a while now thanks to Dame Dash and the past released Blakroc album.  With this album we get a more mellow blues rock feel from the Brothers!  Songs like Tighten Up have even been Grammy Nominated.  It's a real mellow album that is extremely underrated, but does still have  a nice sized following of dedicated fans.

Top 10 of 2010 [ Soul Edition]: #4 Chrisette Michele " Let Freedom Reign "

We did an Eargasm Review of this and went down kinda like this.  *rewind*  This album..... WAS FUKKIN AWESOME!  The end.  *fastforward*  So yea!  The album is  masterpiece of soul in this generation of R&B crap radio.  Ms. Michele was obviously given more creative freedome and it reigned all over this album.  This is definitely one of her best projects, IF NOT HER BEST PROJECT, to date.  And ofcourse my favorite song is Let Freedom Reign.

Top 10 of 2010 [ Soul Edition]: #5 Erykah Badu " New Amerykah Part 2: Return of the Ankh "

Who copped that New Amerykah pt. One, with all them Dilla beats. Classic tape! Classic! RIP J Dilla. The Anticipation for this album was very high and ofcourse, the people were satisfied. Now lets clarify. This New Amerykah does not sound like the Old Amerykah but its all Badu, who's one of the most artists in the game, even though she switches up her sound just about ever albums. And I love it. With this album, you're still getting that soul feel but its a more timid album, with more mellow tracks that house alot of feeling. Badu resurrected Biggie. And she did a great job putting her own little spin on Get Money. Ofcourse Windows Shopper is a great song and a drool worthy video...#lookatdatass! But there are other songs that really touch home, and come together to me a great listen for maybe a candle lit session which your significant other or even if you just want to chill out and soak it all in. I definitely get down to 20 Feet Tall, Gone Baby Don't Be Long, Incense, and Out My Mind Just in Time. Definitely a must cop!

Top 10 of 2010 [ Soul Edition]: #6 Foreign Exchange " Authenticity " & #7 John Legend & The Roots "Wake Up"

 I don't think there are enough great things to say about a group like Foreign Exchange.  If there's any group out here that test the waters by putting themselves out there with every new project, its this group.  Phonte has come a very long way in a short time as an artist.  He's definitely one of the best lyricists in the game.  He now becoming one of the best male vocalists in the music industry and is getting Grammy Nom recognition for it.  Authenticity is everything the subtle cover art would lead inquiring minds to believe it to be.  The mood of the album is Jazzy and mellow.  The sounds are relaxing and smooth.  And the words are deeply poetic.  That's all I ever ask for from this group.  When I'm ready for life off, I enjoy All Roads, Eyes to the Sky, Authenticity, Don't Wait, and Make me a Fool.

Let me take you back.  Back to a time when people sang about the fight.  When people made real love songs.  When people how something to sing about.  Well in that time, we didn't have The Roots and John Legend.  SO!  Here we are with Wake Up.  Basically

Legend and The Roots primarily covered 1960s and 1970s soul music songs for the album with social themes of awareness, engagement, and consciousness.

 I think they did an excellent job recreating that Motown feel with a 2010 spin.  Its a shame that a lot of people missed out on this tribute cover album  You can't fail when you have The Roots taking something and redoing it the way it should be done.  Their version of Hard Times is one of the best I've heard.  Definitely a good purchase for anyone of any age.  I'll be playing this at future family functions fasho!

Top 10 of 2010 [ Soul Edition]: #8 Diddy-Dirty Money - Last Train to Paris

Yes we did do an E.A.R.S (Eargasm Album Reviews) of this. So there's really no reason to go into detail of how I feel about it. Lets just say, there are alot more thing right than wrong with this album. Diddy-Dirty Money as a group name is definitely one of the WRONG things. But the two girls sound great. The electrified sounds and upbeat tempo of the tracks really separate this album from any other album that dropped this year. The features are even good. Diddy is a hell of a producer but he's a shitty hell of a rapper. So. The #8 Spot is definitely deserved. We did give this album a Purchase rating.

Top 10 of 2010 [ Soul Edition ]: #10 Sade - Soldier of Love & #9 Jazmine Sullivan - Love me Back

From mashing windows to smash hits on the radio and back again. Jazmine Sullivan is a very strong new edition to the culture of soul. And she is here to stay. With the recent release of Love me Back and all the positive feedback, there's not way this album could of escaped this list. She came through with the explosively misleading video for 10 Seconds and proceeded blow on every track on her album. Its a shame that she's taking a back seat to music for a while to "find herself". We know who you are Jazmine. You're new Jazz and Soul for the lost of today, who're found due to you. Don't leave us for long. We can't take it!

Sade came out of no where and blessed the air waves with her soulful melodies that brought back the feel of an era long gone. You may have thought you parents didn't buy albums. Well when this dropped, ever person over 30 was in Best Buy thumbing through the Rnb/Rock section looking for this time machine of an album. You would thought Sade won American Idol with the way her name was on the tip of everyone tongue. And my gawd, have you seen how she looks. Bless'r, I'd put a ring on it. Her Soldier of Love video is one of the most memorable this year. Her voice is one of the strongest left. Her presence is harmony and truth packaged in sexy. I'm done! Ya'll can't even front on Sade.