1. Dark was the night, cold was the ground (2022 Remastered Version)
Blind Willie Johnson’s stark, spiritual wail still cuts through the static, even on this 2022 remaster. It’s a foundational blues and gospel howl, a singular voice and slide guitar telling tales of existential dread and hope. The remastered clarity only serves to underscore the raw, unvarnished emotion, making the silence between notes even more profound. This isn't just music; it's a direct transmission from the soul, echoing the deep rhythms of human struggle.
2. The Fletcher Henderson Story
This collection lays out the blueprint for big band swing, a historical document that’s also undeniably vibrant. Henderson’s arrangements were sophisticated, building a complex architecture that other cats would mimic for decades. You hear the roots of jazz orchestration, the interplay of horns, and the rhythmic drive that fueled the dance halls before electricity really took hold. It’s foundational, yes, but also a damn good listen, full of the spirit that would evolve into bebop's frenzy.
3. Queen Of The Blues
Koko Taylor. Just the name conjures raw power. This isn't polite blues; it's a gut-punch, a primal scream ripped straight from the delta and electrified in Chicago. Her voice is a force of nature, a gravelly roar that takes no prisoners. You feel every ounce of struggle and triumph in her delivery, a connection to the very earliest forms of the genre, but delivered with a modern, undeniable punch. It's the kind of sound that makes you believe in the power of a single voice.
4. Cosmic Tones for Mental Therapy
Sun Ra was always out there, light years ahead, and this record proves it. Released in ’67, it’s a swirling vortex of free jazz and early electronic experimentation, pushing boundaries before many knew they existed. The strange textures, the synth squiggles, the unhinged brass – it’s a journey into the unknown. This wasn't just music for the mind; it was meant to rearrange your synapses, a truly psychedelic trip without the chemicals.
5. Easter Everywhere
The 13th Floor Elevators, man. Roky Erickson’s voice, that electric jug – it’s a raw, untamed beast of psychedelic garage rock. This record just bleeds lysergic energy, a true touchstone of the Austin scene. It’s got that primal rock & roll drive, but twisted through a kaleidoscope, a sound that feels both ancient and impossibly futuristic. You can hear the desperation and the brilliance, a fleeting moment captured in full, glorious feedback.
6. Syreeta: The Rita Wright Years - Rare Motown 1967-1970
Before she became Syreeta, Rita Wright was already weaving magic at Motown, and this collection offers a glimpse into that potent, formative era. These aren't the polished hits, but rather the raw brilliance of her songwriting and early vocal performances. It’s soul music before the gloss, with hints of the innovative spirit that would define her later work with Stevie Wonder. A potent reminder of the deep talent lurking beneath the surface.
7. Suicide (2019 - Remaster)
Suicide’s debut was a shock to the system in '77, and this 2019 remaster doesn't soften the blow. Alan Vega's sneering, primal vocals over Martin Rev's stark, relentless electronic beats and cheap synth lines – it was punk, but utterly alien. This is early electronic minimalism, industrial in its cold, confrontational precision, laying down a blueprint for so much post-punk and techno. It's still unsettling, still vital, still a furious middle finger to convention.
8. Christmas Collection
A 'Christmas Collection' from this era isn't just sleigh bells; it’s a historical snapshot, often brimming with unexpected blues, gospel, and early jazz inflections. You might find Bessie Smith’s mournful holiday laments or early swing band takes on carols, a real time capsule. These tracks possess a warmth and simplicity, an unvarnished sentimentality that’s rare now. It’s a testament to how even seasonal tunes carried the distinct sonic signatures of their time.
9. Thirty-Second Annual Report
Throbbing Gristle wasn’t just making music; they were dissecting sound, creating industrial noise as art. This 'report' isn't for casual listening; it’s a confrontational assault, a deconstruction of melody and rhythm. The raw, abrasive textures, the spoken word, the sheer sonic violence – it ripped apart expectations. This was post-punk pushed to its absolute breaking point, forging a new, challenging path for experimental sound.
10. Faust IV (Deluxe Edition)
Faust IV, especially in this deluxe edition, remains a krautrock masterpiece. It's a sprawling, psychedelic journey through experimental rock, fusing motorik rhythms with avant-garde textures. You hear the playful deconstruction of pop song structures, the daring instrumental passages, and the sheer audacity of their sonic vision. It laid groundwork for post-punk and electronic music, a true testament to German ingenuity in sound.
11. Liaisons Dangereuses
This record is a cold, mechanical funk anomaly from 1981, a German-Spanish collaboration that bridged the gap between post-punk, early industrial, and proto-house. It’s got that stark, driving synth beat, sparse arrangements, and an almost detached vocal delivery. This was music for the dark, sweaty corners of underground clubs, a clear precursor to the electronic dance scene, chillingly effective and deeply influential.
12. Don't Break the Oath
Mercyful Fate’s 'Don't Break the Oath' is a cornerstone of early extreme metal. King Diamond's theatrical, multi-octave vocals are unmistakable, soaring over Hank Shermann's intricate, heavy riffs. This wasn't just NWOBHM; it was a darker, more complex beast, laying down crucial structures for what would become speed and black metal. The atmosphere is thick with occult theatrics and raw power, a true metal landmark.
