The Giant Step Tastemakers are an integral part of our community, sharing their tastes and likes with those around them. Throughout the year, we have shared our favorite releases with these group of people who work in the music, fashion, film, design and media industries. Culled from countless albums, here are their top rated albums of 2006:

Nouvelle Vague - 'Bande A Part' (Luaka Bop / V2)
Jamiroquai - 'High Times: Singles 1992-2006' (Epic)
Nina Simone - 'Remixes & Reimagined' (Legacy)
The Roots - 'Game Theory' (Def Jam)
Medeski Martin & Wood - 'Note Bleu: Best Of The Blue Note Years (1998 - 2005)' (Blue Note)
Marisa Monte - 'Universo Ao Meu Redor' (Blue Note)
Brazilian Girls - 'Talk To La Bomb' (Verve Forecast)
Marisa Monte - 'Infinito Particular' (Blue Note)
Corinne Bailey Rae - 'Corinne Bailey Rae' (Capitol)
Cut Chemist - 'The Audience's Listening' (Warner Bros)
Salif Keita - 'M'Bemba' (Decca / Universal Classics)
Mylo - 'Destroy Rock & Roll' (RCA)