1. “The Mixtape About Nothing,” by DC rapper Wale, is outstanding, one of the year’s better releases. Seinfeld-themed, intelligent rap with a drop by Julia Louis-Dreyfuss (Elaine).
2. “Top Ranking,” by Santogold and Diplo, is not at all the “Piracy Funds Terrorism” ripoff a lot of cynics expected–it’s legitimately good, and Diplo’s production rescues some the miscues Santogold made on her full-length.
3. “We Make it Good, Vol. 4,” by XXXChange (of Spank Rock sorta-fame). Isaac Hayes, the Stones, Curtis Mayfield, Peter Gabriel and a lot more make this more than just a summer throwaway, though it is a lot of fun. You can almost hear the beers cracking open.

There are a lot more I haven’t gotten around to listening to yet, but let me know if you have any favorites I missed.

More potentially-related posts:

1. RIP, Isaac Hayes.
2. 10. Santogold – Santogold
3. 8. Wale – The Mixtape About Nothing