1. 20 Jazz Funk Greats (Remastered)
This remastered edition polishes the grit just enough to make the original transgression even sharper. Throbbing Gristle, you see, was never about comfort; it was about tearing down the walls of expectation. Here, the raw, electronic pulse and proto-industrial clang feel less like a recording and more like a document of psychic warfare. It’s still a confrontational listen, a true sonic experiment that refuses to be tamed, even decades on. The sheer audacity hums.
![Grotesque (After the Gramme) [Expanded Edition]](https://i.scdn.co/image/ab67616d0000b27311bd2617bfb429ccc38c9c96)
2. Grotesque (After the Gramme) [Expanded Edition]
The expanded edition of *Grotesque* gives us more of that quintessential Fall angularity, more of Smith’s acerbic bark over a relentless, almost krautrock-inflected rhythm section. It's a testament to their singular vision, a post-punk blueprint where repetition becomes hypnotic, and every word feels like a chisel chipping away at societal norms. This isn't just music; it's a declaration from a mind operating on a different frequency. The extra tracks only deepen the trench.
3. Chairs Missing (2006 Remastered Version)
Wire’s 2006 remastered *Chairs Missing* still cuts with that cold, precise art-punk edge, every note meticulously placed. It’s a lean, almost minimalist approach to rock, stripping away the bloat of the era and focusing on jagged melodies and stark, often unsettling lyrical imagery. This isn't the primal scream of early punk; it’s the calculated, intellectual dissection of it, pushing toward something more abstract and enduring. A true pillar of post-punk architecture.
4. Deceit
*Deceit* remains a colossal, unsettling beast of a record. This Heat crafted a sound that was simultaneously brutal and intricate, weaving together post-punk urgency with industrial clatter and avant-garde soundscapes. It’s a stark, almost apocalyptic vision, where dub influences meet raw, visceral rock, creating a disorienting sonic collage. The rhythmic tension and stark production still resonate, a testament to its singular, uncompromising vision that defies easy categorization. A truly dark cornerstone.
5. Rejuvenation
The Meters on *Rejuvenation* lay down grooves so deep and funky, they feel like they’re pulling the earth’s core up through the speakers. This is pure New Orleans soul, a masterclass in rhythmic interplay where every instrument locks into an irresistible, organic pulse. It’s the kind of music that bypasses the brain and goes straight to the hips, an undeniable force of nature. Their understated mastery is evident in every single strutting beat. Timeless, essential funk.
6. Link, Vernon and Doug
Link Wray, alongside Vernon and Doug, conjures up a raw, untamed spirit here. Wray’s guitar work, drenched in fuzz and menace, is the very blueprint for rock's darker, more primal side. This is visceral, no-frills stuff, a direct lineage from blues shouts to proto-punk snarls. It’s the sound of rebellion made manifest through instrumentals, a snarling, unpolished gem that reverberates through generations of guitar slingers who understood the power of a single, distorted note.
7. Mother Earth's Plantasia
Mort Garson’s *Mother Earth’s Plantasia* is an early electronic marvel, a gentle, almost whimsical exploration of synthesizers designed, quite literally, for plants. But don't let the novelty fool you. This is pioneering electronic minimalism, a series of serene, often hypnotic soundscapes that predated ambient music's boom. It's a curious, strangely comforting listen, a testament to the synthesizer's early potential beyond mere novelty. It still hums with a peculiar, organic warmth.
8. Come Away with ESG
ESG's *Come Away with ESG* is a masterclass in stripped-down, raw funk meeting post-punk urgency. Every beat, every bassline, every vocal utterance is essential, creating a sparse yet incredibly potent groove that’s impossible to resist. It’s no-wave minimalism that makes you move, a direct line from raw funk to early house music. This record proved you didn't need layers of instrumentation to create something utterly compelling and danceable. Pure, unadulterated rhythm.
9. Zuckerzeit
Cluster's *Zuckerzeit* is a cornerstone of krautrock's electronic frontier, a record that sounds both utterly alien and strangely inviting. It’s a departure from their earlier, more abrasive experiments, leaning into melodic, almost childlike synth textures. This is early electronic minimalism with a human touch, building intricate soundscapes that feel both organic and utterly synthetic. Its influence on ambient and experimental electronic music is immeasurable, a gentle yet profound journey into uncharted sonic territory.
10. Betty Davis
Betty Davis’s self-titled debut is a ferocious, unapologetic explosion of funk and raw soul. She wasn't just singing; she was testifying, challenging every convention with her powerful, unvarnished delivery. This is music that grabs you by the collar, infused with a primal energy that few have ever matched. Her lyrical candor and the band's tight, greasy grooves create an intoxicating, almost dangerous atmosphere. Betty Davis was a force, and this record still burns bright with her defiant spirit.
