The Impressions - The Young Mods' Forgotten Story (1969)

Curtis Mayfield before he was Curtis Mayfield; classic Chicago Soul from one of the iconic masters of the genre.

Spiritual and political while still romantic and sophisticated, check out the polished and lush production from another underrated gem from 1969.
The Impressions - The Young Mods' Forgotten Story (1969; Curtom Records)

Tricky - Maxinquaye (1995)

Twelve tracks collected to form one dark, brooding, sensual debut solo album. The sound of digital urban decay that was far ahead of its time. 

Best listened to on headphones very late at night, after everyone has gone to bed. 
Tricky - Maxinquaye (1995; 4th & Broadway Records)

Mississippi John Hurt - The Immortal (1967)

You planning on doing any chillin' on your front porch this summer? 

Then let this be the soundtrack to those lazy, hazy summer evenings. 

The undisputed King of Piedmont and Country blues, allow me to introduce Mississippi John Hurt to the uninitiated. Hailing from tiny Teoc, MS, right where the farmland meets the hill country, this man could be found finger pick and grin to his heart's content. 

Living in relative obscurity until his career was resurrected in the early 1960s at the ripe old age of 70, he was nearly forgotten- having released a handful of singles to regional acclaim in the late-1920s he was all but left to the dustbin of history.

Long live the immortal John Hurt.
Mississippi John Hurt - The Immortal (1967; Vanguard Records)

Wayne Smith - Sleng Teng (1986)

Prince Jammy and Wayne Smith pioneered something huge with this record- the "computer riddim" era officially launches and dancehall goes digital. 

The record got an overhaul with an alternate track listing (and slightly different name) in 2004. 

Hear this piece of synth reggae history- brought to you by the streets and clubs of Kingston and the Casio MT-40... 
Wayne Smith - Sleng Teng (1986; Greensleeves Records)

John Coltrane - Ascension (1966)

"John Coltrane began using LSD fairly regularly some time in 1965. Although it has been stated by some that he took it only when he recorded OM later that year, he actually took it far more often during the last few years of his life, according to a number of people, including a member of his quartet who would prefer, like others, not to be quoted directly on this subject." 

- Coltrane biographer Eric Nisenson

John Coltrane - Ascension (1966; Impulse! Records)

Marvin Gaye - Vulnerable (1997)

Locked away in the Motown vaults for more than 30 years, this archival release from 1997 is Marvin at his most vulnerable, hence the title. 

This is him at his best, crooning soulfully over heavily orchestrated big band arrangements with overdubs and a beautifully warm production aesthetic. 

There's a certain downtrodden and mournful tone to this record, and one of the things the man could do better than almost anyone is put that fear and despair or life and love to tune. 

Thank you, Marvin. 
Marvin Gaye - Vulnerable (1997; Motown Records)

Scientist - Scientist Rids the World of the Evil Curse of the Vampires - 1981

Born Hopeton Overton Brown in Kingston, Jamaica in 1960; the artist known as Scientist spent more time in his lab save for Lee Perry concocting some of the finest Dub Reggae this side of Jupiter. 

In a battle for the best dub release ever, it comes a close second up against The Upsetters' Super Ape.

Album is fire. 
Scientist - Scientist Rids the World of the Evil Curse of the Vampires (1981; Greensleeves Records)

Shuggie Otis - Inspiration Information (1974)

The definitive psychedelic soul record, Shuggie Otis' nine tracks shuck and jive along, resulting in a trippy and funky output for this esoteric legend.  

"He released an album with Al Kooper, played on Frank Zappa's Hot Rats, turned down a chance to work with Quincy Jones, was approached to replace Mick Taylor in the Rolling Stones, mentioned in the same breath as both Jimi Hendrix and Sly Stone as well as the blues greats and apparently inspired both Prince and Beck, but a bit like Terry Reid he chose to follow his own path which undeservedly led into relative obscurity." - oldrock, Rate Your Music
Shuggie Otis - Inspiration Information (1974; Epic Records)
Link also contains the album Wings of Love, re-released together in 2013

Various Artists - The Sound of Philadelphia: Gamble & Huff's Greatest Hits (2008)

That Philly Soul sound lives on forever in this amazing compilation featuring Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff's sparkling and crisp production aesthetic. 

I grew up on Gamble and Huff and these artists in particular; listening to WDAS 105.3 FM was the soul of Philly for my childhood and it instilled a deep appreciation for these tunes.

Give it a spin! 
Various Artists - The Sound of Philadelphia: Gamble & Huff's Greatest Hits (2008; Legacy Recordings)

Tracklisting

1	The O'Jays - Love Train		2:58
2	The O'Jays - Back Stabbers		3:06
3	Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes - If You Don't Know Me By Now		3:26
4	Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes - The Love I Lost		6:22
5	MFSB - T.S.O.P. (The Sound of Philadelphia)		5:48
6	Billy Paul - Me and Mrs. Jones		4:46
7	The Three Degrees - When Will I See You Again		2:58
8	People's Choice - Do It Any Way You Wanna		3:15
9	The Intruders - I'll Always Love My Mama		6:37
10	The O'Jays - Use Ta Be My Girl		4:01
11	Lou Rawls - You'll Never Find Another Love Like Mine		4:26
12	McFadden & Whitehead - Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now		7:01
13	Teddy Pendergrass - Close the Door		5:25
14	Patti LaBelle - If Only You Knew		4:45

Black Nasty - Talking to the People (1973)

Raw integrated funk. Just straight up FONK.

The kinda funk make you wanna smack yo mama for not raising you up on this kinda funk.

The kinda funk that make you wanna visit Detroit.

Cut the shit and drop the needle on this.
Black Nasty - Talking to the People (1973; Enterprise Records)

Sonny Sharrock - Ask the Ages (1991)

When I discovered this record I saw who played on it: Pharoah Sanders on sax, Elvin Jones on drums and Charnett Moffett on bass (son of Charles who played drums on several Ornette Coleman records in the 1960s). 

Then there's the inimitable Sonny Sharrock- his playing is fire. 

Sadly, he died a few years after this record so this stands as his final testament.
Sonny Sharrock - Ask the Ages (1991; Axiom Records)

Boogie Down Productions - By All Means Necessary (1988)

"People still takin' rappin' for a joke
A passing hope or a phase with a rope
Sometimes I choke and try to believe
When I get challenged by a million MCs
I try to tell them, "We're all in this together!"
My album was raw because no one would ever
Think like I think and do what I do
I stole the show, and then I leave without a clue
What do you think makes up a KRS?
Concisive teaching, or very clear speaking?"

- KRS-One, I'm Still #1 

Boogie Down Productions - By All Means Necessary (1988; Jive Records)

Eddie Hazel - Game, Dames and Guitar Thangs (1977)

Eddie left Funkadelic in 1971 but played on a few more Parliament records- Chocolate City would be the last studio record featuring his otherworldly axe slanging. He contributed some vocals to 1976 release The Clones of Dr. Funkenstein and is featured heavily on the Live P-Funk Earth Tour record from 1977 but this record marks his first foray into solo land.

George Clinton's production and songwriting help are all over this record, as well as utilizing a line up that's basically 1978 era P-Funk.

It's probably the only Parliament/Funkadelic-related release outside of their own oeuvre considered essential.
Eddie Hazel - Game, Dames and Guitar Thangs (1977; Warner Bros. Records)

Frank Zappa - Philly '76 (2009)

Never underestimate Frank's ability to squeeze the maximum amount of talent out of his musicians- this album, recorded in a transitional period off the heels of the Zoot Allures album stands as a testament to his workmanship and passion for his craft. 

Bringing in Bianca Odin for vocals and keyboards and a stripped down backing band (Ray White on guitar, Eddie Jobson on violin and keys, Patrick O'Hearn on bass and Terry Bozzio on drums) it's an interesting filler and most likely only truly appreciated by hardcore Zappa fans. 
Frank Zappa - Philly '76 (2009; Vaulternative Records)

Gastr Del Sol - The Serpentine Similar (1993)

Extremely experimental in scope; an avant-garde folk project that meets a glossier post-rock aesthetic head-on, a winding snake of guitar arpeggio noodling and piano scales run up and down your spine.
Gastr del Sol - The Serpentine Similar (1993; Teenbeat Records)

Gene Clark - No Other (1974)

SoCal folk legend Gene Clark, late of The New Christy Minstrels and The Byrds nails it here on one of the finest yet weirdly obscure country rock gems this side of Bakersfield. 
Gene Clark - No Other (1974; Asylum Records)

Ott - Blumenkraft (2003)

Ambient psychedelic dub. You might hear this in the chillout lounge.
Ott - Blumenkraft (2003; Twisted Records)

The Beta Band - The Three E.P.'s (1998)

Combining their first three EPs into a single compilation was a brilliant idea for these Scottish indie rockers dabbling in neo-psychedelia and electronica. 

One of the finer releases on either side of the pond of the late 90s.

The Beta Band - The Three E.P.'s (1998; Astralwerks Records)

Julian Cope - Krautrock Sampler (1995)

Here's a PDF version I found of Julian Cope's 1995 definitive tome on the genre of Krautrock in all its glory and splendor; mad props to whomever scanned and upped this in the first place. 

This thing is way out of print and copies are starting at $175.

Julian Cope - Krautrock Sampler (1995; Head Heritage)

Cocteau Twins - Treasure (1984)

It really doesn't get any prettier than this one- vocals from the one and only Liz Fraser (if you aren't familiar with her yet try out Massive Attack's Mezzanine, an album she sang on a number of songs- most notably the excellent Teardrop), with guitars/production from Robin Guthrie and bass by Simon Raymonde; the Cocteau Twins' brand of ethereal dream pop is replete with lilting beauty and lush melodies, plain and simple.

This might be the best example of "bad" mid-80's production values; cheesy-sounding Casio drums with washed out synths over delayed guitars and layered vocals- I realize that description makes this record sound awful but in fact it's ridiculously beautiful. A confluence of pop, ambient textures and sort of a proto-shoegazer thing going on here, it's an absolute "must listen".

Grab it now...

Cocteau Twins - Treasure (1984; 4AD Records)

Archie Shepp - Fire Music (1965)

Archie Shepp was one of the cats back in the early-60's doing that "new thing" and earned his stripes playing with Cecil Taylor's band. He would go on to play with the New York Contemporary Five alongside Don Cherry and ultimately catch the attention of some of the vanguards of the new school; most notably Ornette (Shepp would play a Coleman composition on his first "solo" record, credited alongside the Bill Dixon Quartet) and Coltrane (playing on the Love Supreme sessions but not making the final cut- he would appear on the 2002 out-takes of that record), playing on John's Ascension album as well as a split with the 'Trane titled New Thing at Newport from 1965.

Shepp's finest moment would be this record, Fire Music; cut at a time when his political consciousness and burgeoning Afrocentricity was reaching a fever pitch- Archie would include an homage to Malcolm X as well as a Duke Ellington standard and the premier bossa nova song of all-time (The Girl from Ipanema). Considered groundbreaking as well as erratic, it showcases a legend at the height of his creativity- done right after his Four for Trane sessions (revolutionary reworkings of some Coltrane tunes from earlier in the decade).

Archie Shepp - Fire Music (1965; Impulse! Records)