1. No-Maddz – Sly & Robbie Presents No Maddz
Our number one album of 2015 is the stellar debut from dub poets turned reggae stars No-Maddz. Even before this record, we knew the boys from No-Maddz were gifted, but on this album the group took their talents to a new level, taking their knack for lyrical poetry and fusing it with hook-laden reggae, among many other genres. Under the production guise of the legendary duo Sly Dunbar and Robbie Shakespeare, Sly & Robbie Presents No-Maddz offers up a stunning, diverse set that ranges from the deep, dubwise reggae of the single “Shotta” to the catchy lovers rock of “Romance,” to the Motown-inspired R&B of “Love Story” and the effusive modern ska of “Life Of the Party.” The No-Maddz live up to their name as musical travelers, but they’re never tourists: they thoroughly make each style their own, bringing their distinctive “bongo band” flavor to each track. Best of all, we’re sure this is only a hint at even more great things to come from them. — Saxon Baird