Preto - Quietude

The confirmation that the electronica movement in Portugal is still alive and better than ever. After past years recordings such as the Type project debut in 2001, "Beats Vol. 1: Amor" by Sam The Kid in 2002 and the session with Kalaf + Type ("A Fuga") in 2004, this was the best portuguese album of 2005. The music in here shows a more grown up sound with rich textures and avoids cliches, using elements of jazz, dub, rock, breakbeat, ambience, tecno and hip-hop to create a smooth but solid atmosphere that resembles a living-sound-painting. This record comes from another very interesting independent label in Portugal, Meifumado (www.meifumado.org).

Rio Baile Funk - Favela Booty Beats / M.I.A. - Arular

The "Favela Funk" was born in illegal parties organized at the poor neighborhoods of Rio de Janeiro and is now taking over the world, from suburban undergroung parties to posh and chic clubs, with the help of Dj's such as Diplo or DJ Malboro. This music is raw, dry and minimal, with basic-nonsense-semi-erotical lyrics, and is inspired by hip-hop, jungle or electro, having some parallels with emerging movements such as the miami bass, grime, crunk or the jamaican dancehall. In few words, it's completely infectious and irrestistible to dance to, with an addictive groove. A good way to start is with the compilation "Rio Baile Funk - Favela Booty Beats", which represents this style very well.

One step ahead is already taken by M.I.A. with her debut "Arular", which was probably one of the most important albuns of 2005 and has Diplo as one of its producers. She wisely joined together all the emerging underground movements mentioned above and created a completely new sound. Even her biography helps the myth, as she had to leave her country, Sri-Lanka, for political reasons - her father is a rebellion leader and is believed to still being in the Sri-Lanka forests, fighting the government troops.

Hanne Hukkelberg - Little Things

Describing a new sound using known references is a bit unfair, but still, in this case is quite irresistible... Imagine a cross between folk, jazz, electronica, tropicalia, Björk, lego playing, cosy warm places with snow outside, children games and a voice that used to sing in a church...and in a metal band.
I only came across this album by the end of 2005, but it has instantly turned into a favourite. Her name is hard to pronounce and her music is difficult to label, but this record is really one of those Little Things coming from Norway that make the world a better place.

Khonnor - Handwriting

One of the most special releases in recent times. It's like entering someone's private room and hear his thoughts, from trivia to no-sense to obscure-non-understandable-but-still-interesting feelings. I guess the fact that this was secretly recorded in his room, without his parent's knowledge, is one of the special-factors. Either way, a record where the word BEAUTIFUL really makes sense and one which makes me feel peaceful and happy while listenning.