Top 30 Record Rotations of 2017 || By JonnyRevolution

These guys never cease to exceed my expectations. Since their release of Yellow House in 2006, I've been eagerly seeking out album after album and on each they have pushed the bounds of psychedelic music further. On this album I'm especially impressed with the drum programming that they've seemed to perfect. Could this be their apogee?

Chaz Bear (Toro y Moi) has come from out of nowhere with an emotional vaporwave funk album that I've heavily connected with the latter half of 2017. I absolutely love the 80s synth sounds that are on display for a feisty aural experience. The flow on this album is almost unparalleled and the lyrics have a way of placing you in the moment in the minds' eye.

Tryezz is Jonathan Fowlkes based in Chattanooga, TN and his attitude is life is amazingly humble and gracious. His motto is: 'Always a student'....and this release brings about a few new vibes. I really dig the groovy bass lines and aggressive hip-hop beats that keep this train raging. Listen to this while your driving and you'll get a new attitude.

French Kiwi Juice struck me as an odd name but it was interesting enough to grab my attention. Thankfully, I instantly knew this producer has found gold in these slick medleys. What you'll hear on this recording are superior sounds that are mixed in as perfect orchestrations. Don't miss out on this one.

I'm feeling that 2017 has been the year of the producers, and this one deserves to be in the top of that category. This has a heavy R&B base with excellent modern funk leanings, as the featured vocalists perfectly round out this entire LP. I could see some of these on the dance floor while others on here may be better left for those romantic nites.

New Jersey native Aaron Velasquez goes under the moniker of 'Flamingosis' and is a beatmaker who samples 70's R&B. His samples are unique in that if I remember correctly....I've only recognized maybe 2 song samples from his whole catalogue. Velasquez definitely adds his own flair to these oldies spun into modern jazz funk, and I really wish he'd release this on vinyl.

Benedek shows a stab at savvy house funk on Bene's World. I don't really like house styled electronic music but I have to say when you add funk it sounds too good. Fat basslines snake around with mirroring rhythms in such a way that it is still easy to bob your head and feel intelligent noticing all the nuances. With rich instrumental sounds and sassy synths this becomes a serotonin-dosed day trip that bridges reminiscence with newness.

Chasing Goosebumps is musically as diverse as the artists who brought it to life, The PLAYlist. DJ Jazzy Jeff brought this creative visionary collective together, then live streamed the recording process because he wanted it to be simple and unhindered. One rule: give the listeners goosebumps! I have to say that I can't believe how much Glenn Lewis' voice sounds like Stevie Wonder....it's black magick.

Terrace Martin really impressed me last year with his album Velvet Portraits...and now he's presenting Pollyseeds, a supergroup from Crenshaw, Los Angeles. This album surprised me sonically, especially the bass sound that heavily reminds me of Snarky Puppy (same record label Ropeadope Records). There is a anthem/theme like feeling throughout the album and is overall a beautiful collection of songs.

For Temples' sophomore release is seriously catchy....almost too catchy. It's a bit dangerous because the first half of the album almost feels like it could be one song. The hooks maybe aren’t as focused as their debut, but Volcano is a more consistent album...and its possessed sonic explorations are exciting esoteric soundscapes that I warmly welcome.

These beets are dope...chew on this one here for your healthy dose of hip-hop flavored funk. Birocratic (Brandon Rowan) has intrigued me with his first album since moving to Brooklyn, NY. Armed with ableton, an electric bass, and limitless inspiration...Birocratic creates electronic tunes with an organic soul.

Anomalie is the live electronic project of Nicolas Dupuis, a classically trained and highly versatile keyboardist and producer based in Montréal, Québec. I personally like to call this genre nu-jazz as it has a lot of modern electronic sounds but sits on a funky jazz foundation. This EP is a smokin' collection of well constructed songs that meander with a continuous purpose.

Got to say the artwork is righteous and the psychedelic soul music within only helps the overall package. Nick's voice is so on point throughout this entire LP....as the music itself could slightly be a challenging listen at first. The more time you spend with this album the more it will oscillate the right vibes. At certain moments you can hear the inspiration from Unknown Mortal Orchestra in the slightly lo-fi psych sounds.

Betaloops is a sketchbook of beats, ideas, and near completed experiments that pushed the boundaries to show what happens when you just let it ride. Bite-sized and easy to digest...in other words you could refer to it as a 42 track audio diary from Devonwho.

Drummer/producer phenom Adam Deitch and Headnodic have connected on a powerhouse of analog-future hip-hop grooves that Adam performed all on the first takes. You can watch the video of him laying down these beats and he's just killing it non stop. Insane!