9 – Mavis Staples – You Are Not Alone

The former Staples Singers star has been a steady solo performer, rarely making a big splash, but usually delivering the goods, and this new release is one of her best, helped along by input from Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy, who brings out the best of her without imposing his kind of sound on it. Deeply soulful gospel music that is food for the ears and the soul, Mavis puts most of the young generation to shame.

10 – Gil Scott-Heron – I’m New Here

He’s hardly new here, but Gil Scott-Heron has certainly been a rejuvenated figure in 2010, bouncing back after so many dark years of drug addiction to release an album that is edgy, intelligent, emotional and sonically impressive for an old-timer. Comeback albums can often be overrated, but this is one that deserves the praise it received.