it’s no secret that we love all kinds of music at colectivo futuro, given the diversity of our crew and collaborators we are always striving to share what we like to call “goodmusics” from across the board. whether it’s the latest UK bass dance-floor burner, the crooning of an in-the-making folk and soul star, or the latest crossover between underground electronic music and future pop; we believe any kind of music has a time and place. to quote Dr. John, one of the artists behind one of our favorite albums so far this year: “because music is broadening, and the more music you listen to, the more you have to draw from.” (Clash Magazine, June 2012). without further ado, here’s our favorite 5 albums so far this year (click on covers to purchase)

michael kiwanuka – home again [polydor]

The long anticipated release of ‘Home Again’ by Michael Kiwanuka, winner of the BBCs sound of 2012, absolutely eclipsed our expectations. This is his first full-length release under Polydor Records, after his first EP release back in April 2011. This is an album full of gems from an artist full of talent, who’s been drawing comparisons to classic north American soul artists, such as Otis Redding & Bill Withers. From its opening song to its closing number Kiwanuka submerges us in a world full of sweet and vintage 70’s soulful country and folk. Remarkable singles include mid-tempo, groovy cuts such as ‘Tell Me a Tale’, sweet country ballads like ‘Rest’ and ‘Bones’, and some great folk numbers such as ‘Home Again’ and ‘Always Waiting’. An album worth listening from top to bottom that doesn’t aim to introduce new sounds or trends, but one that reminds us how nice and sweet it is to go back to our roots and enjoy the passing of time. (by arash fattahi)

john talabot - ƒin [permanent vacation]

Is John Talabot the product of hype? some people might argue that, but the artist who began his career as D.A.R.Y.L., has been making a name for himself with EPs and remixes on Permanent Vacation, Young Turks, and his own imprint Hivern Discs.  the record kicks off with ‘Depak Ine‘, which sets a proper precedent for what is an enjoyable listen from start to finish. ‘Fin’ which translates to ‘the end’ is described by Talabot himself as the end of a cycle of sorts, with the goal of creating a complete listening experience without resorting to big club cuts. this is a record full of haunting melodies and hidden grooves, that owes as much to Chicago House as it does to the psychedelic concoctions of Animal Collective. some of the absolute highlights here are both collaborations with Pional titled ‘Destiny’ and ‘So Will Be Now’, 80s sounding and aptly titled ‘When The Past Was Present’, and tension driven ‘El Oeste’. this album certainly makes John Talabot one to watch for the future! (by miguel colmenares)

dr. john – locked down [nonesuch]

On Locked Down, the legendary Dr. John releases a brilliant new album with ten strong cuts, excellently produced by Dan Auerbach of grammy-winning retro-rockers, The Black Keys. Mixing Nigerian afrobeat, dub effects, and the guitar of the aforementioned Mr. Auerbach into his gumbo pot of New Orleans R&B and funk, jazz, rock & roll, gospel and so on, Dr. John is back in full force with arguably some of his best recordings since his sides with the Meters and Allen Toussaint. Simultaneously an exercise in retro techniques, yet clearly very modern, it’s so refreshing to see an American legend making an album this good, so late in their career. And who wouldn’t want to hear this live? Locked Down, right album, right time. (by oli brunetti)

bonobo – black sands remixed [ninja tune]

standout remix albums are hard to come by; yet bonobo’s outstanding ‘Black Sands’ LP, released back in 2010, makes an impressive comeback in the form of a well curated selection of renditions thoroughly embedded in the current state of affairs of the UK bass scene. from start to finish this is a more than enjoyable listen that takes the listener through moments of introspection with cuts such as ‘All In Forms’ remixed by NYC based Mike Slott and ‘Stay The Same’ re-imagined by Mark Pritchard; while also adding slices of heavy dance-floor manipulation with the upbeat reenactments of ‘Eyesdown’ by both Floating Points and Machinedrum. the greatness of this record is perhaps the fact that it’s a must for DJs in the know and headphone listeners alike, leaving no room for it to be left behind. (by miguel colmenares)

dva – pretty ugly [hyperdub]

DVA, aka Scratcha, finally dropped his Pretty Ugly album, an inevitable favorite here at colectivo futuro. For us, this is an album that has definitely lived up to its hype. DVA continues to develop his unique style that has to date encapsulated elements of grime, house, funky, broken beat, rnb and so on to a full album, containing various quality vocal performances from the likes of Fatima, Cornelia, A.L., Natalie Maddix, Muhsinah, Zaki Ibrahim and the multi-talented Vikter Duplaix. Some have criticized its variety, or ‘lack of focus’. But to quibble over a consistently engaging and original album packed with so many heavy dancefloor tracks sitting next to deep electronic soul jams, seems a little trite. (by oli brunetti)

other standouts so far this year include the left of centre soul & funk of awE naturalE by THEESatisfaction, the Madlib produced Seeds by Georgia Anne Muldrow, the sudden tranquility of Orcas by Orcas aka Benoît Pioulard & Rafael Anton Irisarri, and the hauntedness of Iradelphic by Clark