2009 was a great year for music again, and with the year end traditionally comes a plethora of ‘best of’ lists. But rather than simply drop a bland enumeration of the 10 best records of the year, we decided to broaden the scope and list the best things to happen in music in 2009, and write a line or two about each. First up is Lensco’s selection:

• Best tunes of the year – Joy Orbison: Mr. Orbison single-handedly injected a much needed boost of musicality into the dubstep genre. While they’re not rockit-science his tracks effectively moved people, on the dancefloor as well in the living room sofa.
• Phlash & Friends – Deep Electronic Sound: No silly downtempo tracks or interlude filler, but more than a dozen excellent straight up house tunes where the guests actually matter.
• Trend of the year – Dubstep maturing: It really became a proper genre with a wide spectrum of interesting branches. Also, the Dutch dudes 2562 and Martyn came, saw and won the dubstep match, big time.
• Tortoise – Beacons Of Ancestorship: I presumed them dead, but fusing their old post rock style with Ammoncontact like beats, these lads made one the most interesting albums of the year.
• The Cinematic Orchestra – The Crimson Wing: Mystery Of The Flamingos: Utterly beautiful nature documentary score, with a unique take on classical music from Swinscoe and the boys.
• Best podcast – Bopstar Radio Sessions: Excellent house, bruk, soul and jazz, with plenty of exclusives and previews. That show makes me lookup and buy tunes.
• Nicolay – City Lights Vol. 2: Shibuya: An album like they don’t make ‘em a lot these days, one where the whole is greater than the sum of the parts. The styles and genres don’t matter, Shibuya is about a story, impressions and athmosphere.
• Best producer – Atjazz: Be it remixing or producing original tracks, Martin had a consistent high quality output in the past twelve months, with beats and sounds to die for.
• Best music related movie – Still Bill: So maybe I’ve seen very few music related movies last year, this one is still a beauty. If you not only want to learn about the music but also about the personality of Bill Withers, watch this gem.
• Also: great albums by Little Dragon, Kira Neris, Zero 7, Tosca, Black Jazz Consortium, Aybee, Clara Moreno, Emanative, Tuomo, the B12 Records Archives, …

The much-loved summer festivals are surely coming back for good! Here are our picks for this year.

June

IJazz Festival

When? 5-6-7, June
Where? Amsterdam, Netherlands
Lineup? From local heroes to international stars such as Incognito, Benjamin Herman Quartet, Scallimatic Orchestra, Nicole Conte Combo, Erik Truffaz, Wouter Hamel, Jose James, Terry Callier, The Flowriders and many others
Official website: www.ijazz.nl
Twitter: twitter.com/IJAZZAmsterdam

Meltdown Festival

When? 13-21, June
Where? London, UK
Lineup? Ornette Coleman, The Roots, Bobby McFerrin, The Freewheeling Yo La Tengo, Yoko Ono etc
Official Website: meltdown.southbankcentre.co.uk
Twitter: twitter.com/meltdownfest

Sonar Festival

When? 18-19-20, June
Where? Barcelona, Spain
Lineup? As exciting as ever: Konono, James Pants, Bullion, Mulatu Astake & Heliocentrics, Culoe De Song, Dorien Concept, Lukid, Martyn, Mary Ann Hobbs, Carl Craig etc
Official Website: 2009.sonar.es/en
Twitter: twitter.com/SonarFestival

July

Worldwide Festival

When? 2-3-4-5, July
Where? Sete, France
Line-up? Worldwide winners as per usual: Laurent Garnier live, Gilles Peterson, Carl Craig, Jimi Tenor live, Theo Parrish, Diplo, Soil & “Pimp” Sessions live, Todd Terje, Martyn, Mocky live, Dorian Concept live, Jazzanova, Principles of Geometry, Jazzamar, Michael Ruetten, Sundae, Stereotyp’s Ku Bo Project, Sebastien Schuller live, DJ Suv, Trus’me, Elan Mehler live, Shuya Okino, LeFtO, The bPm, Earl Zinger, DJ Oil, Fulgeance just to name a few. Stunning outdoor venues, great people and french wine.
Official Website: www.worldwidefestival.com
GP’s Twitter: twitter.com/gillespeterson

The Garden Festival

When? 3-12, July
Where? Zadar, Croatia
Lineup? From live acts: Dinner At The Thompsons • Faze Action • Henrik Schwarz • Hot 8 Brass Band • Jose James • Lindstrom • Little Dragon • No Fakin • Overproof Sound System • Sneaky • Soil and Pimp • The Haggis Horns • The Sunburst Band to DJ sets: Ame, Benji B, Bonobo, Domu, Daz-i-Kue, Eddy Rammich, Gilles Peterson, Karl Injex, Kev Beadle, Mark E, Phil Asher, Rainer Trüby and many more!
Official website: www.thegardenfestival.eu
Twitter: twitter.com/gardenfestival

Gent Jazz Festival

When? 8-19, July
Where? Gent, Belgium
Line-up? Jamie Cullum, George Benson, Jamie Lidell, Joe Jackson, McCoy Tyner Trio feat. Bill Frisell, Brad Mehldau Trio, Rodrigo y Gabriela, Fred Hersch Trio, Randy Weston and a tribute to Nina Simone featuring, among others, Dianne Reeves & Lizz Wright.
Official website: www.gentjazz.com

Camp Bestival

When? 24-25-26, July
Where? Ludworth Castle, Dorset, UK
Line-up? Roy Ayers, Roots Manuva, Aeroplane, Gilles Peterson, Skream, Benga but all kinds of music styles will be represented. Plus amazing venues around a castle in the countryside, many spoken word, theatre, comedy, literature events etc.
Official Website: www.campbestival.co.uk
Twitter: twitter.com/Bestival

Standon Calling

When? 31 July-2 Aug
Where? Hertfordshire, UK
Line-up? Femi Kuti, Sun Ra Arkestra, Nostalgia 77 and others
Official Website: www.standon-calling.com/festival.html
Twitter: twitter.com/standoncalling

August

Big Chill Festival

When? 6-9, August 2009
Where? Eastnor, UK
Line-up? www.bigchill.net/festival/info/line-up
Official website: www.bigchill.net/festival.html
Twitter: twitter.com/BigChillFest

Flow Festival

When? 13-16, August, 2009
Where? Helsinki, Finland
Line-up? Kraftwerk Live! and read the full lineup here www.flowfestival.com/en/program/
Official website: www.flowfestival.com/en
Twitter: twitter.com/flowfestival

Feel free to add more info, photos or words on other good fests!