On The Radar

As you're all gearing up to add your lists of 2006's best music to KRLX's year end blog, I hope you keep in mind some of the less underground music and aren't afraid to include artists who received some serious airplay on top 40 stations this year. So the following are my favorite songs by artists you all know (and maybe love), but the songs that never made it as singles to the commercial fm airwaves.

Kelis - Kelis Was Here

While this wasn't as critically acclaimed as Tasty, this album definitely contained some hot tracks. The album ultimately suffered from too many songs thrown together in no real order, but I give her some props for going at it without her boys Chad and Pharrell. This song was a hidden track, but Kelis displays enough power on it to rip "Bossy" a new one.

Kelis - Fuck Them Bitches

John Legend - Once Again

I haven't really given this album as many spins as it probably deserves. Here he trades in a little bit of that R'n'B sound for more pop-oriented production. It makes it a little less appealing at first, but helps it stand out from his previous album, Get Lifted. This track I find to be more engaging than the lackluster first single, "Save Room"

John Legend - Each Day Gets Better

Beyonce - B'day

This album has been overlooked by most critics, and undeservedly so. While you might not be impressed by her first three singles, the rest of the album definitely deserves a chance. (After all, singles are supposed to be safe bets made by the record company, so we really shouldn't be surprised that they picked the three most generic songs on the album.) But believe me when i say that "Deja Vu" "Ring the Alarm" and "Irreplaceable" and the three weakest track on B'day. When you see the album in that light, it only gets better. This is definitely a strong sophomore release. She succesfully blends that 60's motown sound and with Missy-like hooks that would make Kelis jealous. While this album isn't destined to be a classic, there's definitely hints that she's got bigger things in store for the future.

Beyonce - Kitty Kat

Since my post definitely took a turn towards the R&B, I might as well mention Aloe Blacc's release Shine Through, even though he definitely has received very little air play this past year. I picked this one up in New York this summer on a whim, and was impressed by his Latin/Soul fusion. The album drags a bit and isn't overly impressive, but there's a enough gems on there to make the listen worthwhile. This particular track doesn't really reflect some of the latin flavor on the album, but made it to my friend's top ten songs of 06 list so I thought that I'd share it with you and see if it has the same affect.

Aloe Blacc - One Inna

And just for kicks, here's another hidden track for ya. Off of Shine Through, this is a cover of John Legend's Ordinary People, but in Spanish. Gimmicky? Nah...

Aloe Blacc - Untitled 1

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