Bela Fleck "Throw Down Your Heart" (2009)

Let's not forget that the banjo is at heart an African instrument.  On this third volume of his Tales From the Acoustic Planet series, Fleck travels to Africa & records with a variety of musicians.  Unlike the Damon Albarn projects, this is much more traditional in feel.  Absolutely brilliant stuff.

Madlib "Shades of Blue" (2003)

So Madlib was given a dream gig for many producers:  access to the Blue Note vault, and authorization to sample and mix as much as he wanted.  The result is probably the best jazz/hip hop hybrid album ever released.

Portishead "Third" (2008)

I find it interesting that this is considered to be electronica, while a band like Radiohead is considered rock.  It's more or less the same thing.  If anything, Portishead is more melodic.  It's chilly, but with a sophisticated patina that makes it quite a bit more palatable than the more paranoid vibe of so much of Radiohead's work.

Deerhunter "Weird Era Cont" (2008)

And Deerhunter do their thing.  The problem is that it feels at times like there's no quality control.  If Cox were a bit more selective, would the (much smaller amount of) released music be significantly better?  I can't help but think so.  Every turd ain't a piece of gold people!

Aceyalone "All Balls Don't Bounce" (1995)

This record reminds me of classic hiphop in so many ways.  There's the obvious musical ways.  But there's also the fact that this album is carried by a couple of great tracks, with the rest being totally forgettable.  The good stuff really is that good, however.

Department of Eagles "In Ear Park" (2008)

It's not that there's really anything wrong with this record.  It's just so mediocre.  What we have is 60s influenced psych rock.  It doesn't really take any big chances, and quite frankly I don't know why I would want to listen to this rather than a host of 60s bands.

Diplo & Santogold "Top Ranking" (2008)

I never would have thought, way back when, that bootie bass would ever become popular.  Here we have a mixtape of the stuff.  It's not for me.