This album's soulful, lo-fi "Latino" freaky grunge blues has affected everything I know and love and do in music since I first heard it in 1995.
2. "Sings Nina" - Nina Simone
A great primer on the most gifted and deep singer that ever lived.
3. "Tonight's The Night" - Neil Young
Devastatingly dark and powerful, a love song to loss - and it rocks ASS.
4. "Innervisions" - Stevie Wonder
DAMN!
5. "Reflections" - Gil Scott-Heron
His poet/bop soul always sounds fresh to me, and when I was really young I loved hearing "Ronald -- the Ray-Gun".
6. "Duke Ellington & John Coltrane" - Duke Ellington/John Coltrane
A beautiful melding - I could name lots of jazz records, but "In A Sentimental Mood" makes me cry every single time.
7. "Gymnopedies" - Eric Satie
So splendid, so modern, so deep, so chill.
8. "The Message/White Lines" - Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five
I like to dance on the beach.
9. "The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust" - David Bowie
I never, ever, ever, ever get tired of hearing these songs and I love singing them. Having them on the island would be like being with your best friend.