Here's my best of 2006 (In no order of preference).
Ghostface-NY Mildstyle remix 12"(Cut Creators) / Ghostface-Return of the Iron Man 12" (Promo)
Ghostface Killah continues his reign of dopeness with a whole lot of releases this year. The 2 above probably being my favourites. I'm not sure about the origins of NY Mildstyle on the Cut Creators label but the way it's put together with verses from Ghostface, Raekwon, AZ, Jay-Z and Nas with a wicked soulful chorus that gets me everytime. I'm also liking Ghost's new collabo with Amy "Rehab" Winehouse (hopefully due out on 12" next year).
English & Too Many Cooks-Live and direct 12" (Left Turn Records)
Straight up B-boy beats, check the vocal and instrumental.
Nicole Willis & the Soul Investigators-Keep reachin' up album (Timmion) / Nicole Willis-Feeling Free Remixes (Above the Clouds)
The best soul / funk album. This has been out a long time (perhaps over a year?) but throughout the year people have been waking up to this brilliant album, due to some quality 7" and 12" remixes.
Natural Self-Let peace be the ruler Album (Breakin Bread) / Broken Keys-Album (Tru Thoughts)
Natural Self's music has always been unique and strong. This year we were rewarded with a great debut album plus the excellent Natural Self & Nostalgia 77 collaboration album by the Broken Keys.
Ghost-Seldon seen often heard Album / Ghost-Basic instinct 12" (Breakin Bread)
Heat album, with loads of different soulful / jazzy beats and a myriad of guest vocalists. Plus the excellent upbeat 'Basic instinct' 12" with Ghost and Natural Self remixes.
Yungun & Mr Thing-G.M.B. (Just like that) 12" (Silent Soundz)
Excellent Vocal / Instrumental B-beat b side using James Brown to great effect.
Various Afro Kats label releases (Koloko-Each one teach one 7" / Kutiman-No groove where I come from 7" / Solid Pleasure 12")
Wicked little label out of Montreal, Canada, with 3 hot afro-beat / funk releases that never leave my DJ box..
Lupe Fiasco-I gotcha 12" / Kick push 12" (Atlantic)
2 solid funkkay singles.
The Roots-Game theory Album (Def Jam) / The Roots-Don't feel right 12" (Def Jam)
One of the most consistent groups in hip-hop. What they can't do probably ain't worth doing. Another dope album that covers a load of styles whilst still keeping it hip-hop as only the Roots can.
Orgone-Funky Nassau / Hambone 12" (Nuff Rope)
I was killing this on 45 all through 2005 and then they go and release a Danny Krivit edit on a 12". Also feeling the jazz / funk / fusion flavours of the B side.
Ty-What you want 12" (Big Dada)
Upbeat tune that bridges the gap between so many styles. Heat!
Tor-Strivin' 12" (International Rudebwoy)
DJ Mentat on production so you know the beat is gonna be good. I don't know much about Tor but she flows really well on this (more please). I was also liking Mentat and Durrty Goodz 'What's happenin'
DJ Tonk-Last night / S.O.U.L 12" (Milk Dipper)
Nice US 12" with the bossa style 'All night' with the Procussions, plus the catchy instrumental 'S.O.U.L' that bridges the gap well between hip-hop and funk.
Bob & Gene-You gave me love / Your name 7" (Daptone)
Excellent new recording that sound like authentic late '60s vocal / boogaloo. Catchy as heck and tears up the dancefloor.
Various MPM label releases (Breakout-Planet rock 7"/12" / Lefties Soul Connection-Organ donor 7"/12")
MPM (Melting Pot Music) have been killing it this year with a slew of great releases.
De La Soul-You got it 12" (Roar)
One of my favourite cuts from their 'Impossible mission' album.
Bellruche-Four songs EP 2*7" (Hippo Flex)
Just creeping in at the end of 2006. To me this is Belleruche's strongest work to date. Four really well crafted songs in a modern folky / soul style that vary in tempo and will appeal to both listeners and DJs alike.
Bonus beats:
Red Nose Distrikt-Sunshine 12" (Netgroove)
Cut Chemist-The garden 12" (WEA)
Basic Vocab-The Likeness 12" (AVX)
Skibadee-Tikka tokka (Ahead of the Game) 12"
Joey Beats-Love, love, love / Sleep or bust 7" (Good Foot)
Steady Diggin' Workshop-Let's go steady EP (Crabon Imprints)
Jay-Dee-The Shining album (BBE)
Omar-Sing (if you want it) album (Ether)