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This is a 2006 copy of Method Man’s double album 4:21...The Day After. As I’m sure everyone knows by now, Wu-Tang Clan ain’t nothing to fuck with. That goes for its individual members such as Mr. Meth. This release has an all-star lineup of collabs, with fellow Wu-Tang members like RZA and ODB (post-death, RIP) as well as outsiders like Ginuwine and Redman, just to name a few. It’s a shame that Def Jam did little to nothing to promote the album, because these tracks are actually pretty amazing stuff. Despite that it still debuted at 8 on Billboard so if that’s not a testament to Method Man and Wu-Tang’s talent then I don’t know what is.

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This is a 1971 copy of Bonnie Raitt’s self-titled album. Long before she went pop, Bonnie Raitt was the critic’s darling, even if she wasn’t yet the public’s. Her first album is an absolutely stunning work of bluesy roots rock, recorded at an abandoned summer camp with Bonnie slinging both guitar and vocals to large success. Sprinkling gorgeous takes on songs from artists like Stephen Stills and The Marvelettes in with her own tracks, this album is nothing short of a delight from an insanely talented woman.

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This is a 1983 copy of the Heaven 17 album The Luxury Gap. An amazing Synthpop band fronted by two of the original members of The Human League, Heaven 17 often does not get the recognition they deserve. This second release however pulls out all the stops, with irresistibly danceable tracks like Temptation and Crushed by the Wheels of Industry. Putting this record on basically guarantees a new wave party from the get-go, and who wouldn’t like that?

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This is a 1969 copy of the live jailhouse album Johnny Cash at San Quentin. The second of his albums recorded and broadcast from jails (the first being Folsom Prison), this does not lose any of the unique genuineness the Man in Black exudes throughout his performance. A notable example is his decision to play the song San Quentin twice due to the audience’s demand, and also put both performances on the record. This also marks his first live performance of what is now one of his standards, A Boy Named Sue. Fun fact, that song was actually written by Shel Silverstein. In between songs you also get to hear candid conversations between Cash and the audience, which I think helps the authentic mood of the album.

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This is a 1983 copy of the soundtrack to the movie The Big Chill. Part of the major Motown revival of the 80s, this soundtrack (with the exception of Whiter Shade of Pale) is a great soul compilation even for those who haven’t seen the movie, although I recommend that as well. In fact, if you had to name the top 10 Motown songs ever, I’ll bet half of them are on this track list. With superstars like Marvin Gaye, The Temptations, Smokey Robinson & the Miracles and Aretha Franklin, how could you possibly go wrong? (You can’t.)

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This is a 1985 copy of the Corey Hart album Boy in the Box. Maybe it’s because he looks so cold on the cover but I would consider this to be a very underrated second album. The “cold” theme continues into the lyrics for some of the more striking songs on this release, such as Eurasian Eyes and Komrade Kiev, which is a very catchy track. The song Sunny Place - Shady People also has guest backing vocals from Dalbello, one of my favorite voices of the 80s.

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This is a 1977 copy of Larry Coryell and Alphonse Mouzon’s collaboration album Back Together Again. Featuring some of jazz fusion’s most prolific artists, this album is, simply put, a wonderful showcase of talent. And though neither of these two men are with us any longer, their legacy absolutely lives on as Godfathers of Fusion. Give a special listen to Reconciliation, Crystallization, and Back Together Again for some particularly rad solos.

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This is a 1973 copy of The Isley Brothers Greatest Hits. The Isleys are one of those groups where you somehow forget just how many hits they had until they’re all staring you in the face but man, are there a lot. Everyone and their mother knows, of course, tracks like Shout and It’s Your Thing but I prefer some of the more obscure Motown/R&B gems like Lay Away and Brother Brother. Also included on this record is a smashing cover of Stephen Stills’s Love the One You’re With. A perfect primer for a fan or a Motown admirer.

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This is a 1969 copy of the Cream album Goodbye. In case it wasn’t clear enough, this was Cream’s last album. And with a mixture of live riffs and studio track, this certainly is a stunning send-off. A 9-minute Live jam of I’m So Glad kicks the record off, followed by amazing renditions of Politician and Sitting on Top of the World. The best track however may be Badge, which Clapton had writing help from George Harrison. Originally an untitled song, the title came about from Eric Clapton misreading the only word Harrison wrote on the music sheet for it, “bridge”.

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This is a 1982 copy of Dan Fogelberg’s Greatest Hits. Now even though this is a collection of hits it actually has two previously unreleased singles that were hits in their own right — these are the contemplative pieces Make Love Stay and Missing You. It also has Fogelberg standards such as the beautiful tribute to his father, Leader of the Band and the unofficial Kentucky Derby theme song, Run For the Roses. For soft rock fans this album has everything you need for a good time.

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This is a 1966 copy of the Dave Clark Five’s Greatest Hits compilation album. Following hot on the heels of The Beatles in the great British Invasion of the musical 60s was the Dave Clark Five. Their singles Glad All Over and Bits and Pieces went absolutely gangbusters in the states, and they are one of the few bands to challenge The Beatles to up their game. In fact, they appeared on the Ed Sullivan show more times than any other band. And in the 60s that was really saying something. This album has the above tracks plus a bunch of their other hits like I Like it Like That and Catch Us If You Can, the perfect summary of a great band that should not be forgotten.

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This is a 1974 copy of the Mike Oldfield album Hergest Ridge. Most artists when faced with the runaway success that his first release, Tubular Bells, had received would typically be center stage and touring. However, Oldfield decided to do the opposite, retreating into the English countryside to create this masterpiece. Like its predecessor, this is divided into two “movements”, with gorgeous layers of ambient instrumentals and themes. For those who are absolutely ga-ga about prog rock and spacey instrumental ambience, this is not one to ignore.

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This is a 1974 copy of the album Apocalypse, by the Mahavishnu and London Symphony Orchestras. Though they’re both Orchestras, believe me when I say that they are extremely different blends. It’s like saying beer and whisky are both alcohols. But if you’ve ever had a boilermaker, you know the right balance of the two packs a gorgeous punch. Same with this album. George Martin, who you may know as the Fifth Beatle, produced this record, and even though he was the Fifth Beatle he is still on record as saying that THIS is one of the best albums he’s ever made. So if that doesn’t say something I don’t know what does.

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This is a 1986 copy of the Judy Mowatt album Love is Overdue. Having gotten her big break as one of Bob Marley’s backup vocalists the I Three, this album is an amazing example of Roots Reggae. With her Rastafarian ideals throughout her lyrics Mowatt is able to captivate, energize, and soothe with her gorgeous reggae singing. There is a reason why she was the first female singer to be nominated for a Grammy in the reggae category and that is because her raw talent simply cannot be ignored. Especially make sure to check out the invigorating track Get Up Chant and gorgeous covers of Bob Marley’s Screwface and UB40’s Sing Our Own Song.

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This is a 1982 copy of the Little Steven & the Disciples of Soul album Men Without Women. Fans of Bruce Springsteen may recognize the name but for the uninformed, Steven Van Zandt (aka Miami Steve) is one of the well-known members of The E Street Band. You may also recognize his face as Silvio from The Sopranos. However you see him should not detract from the gem that is this album though. Filled with robust horns and early R&B rock influences that inspired the “Little” in his name, these tracks are superb listens. And if you listen closely you may just hear some E Street brethren and the Boss himself on some songs (hint: check out Angel Eyes and Until the Good is Gone).

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This is a 1984 copy of the Lou Reed solo album New Sensations. A much more upbeat release than his previous albums like The Blue Mask (see other listing), this is reassuring that yes, Reed made it out of his midlife crisis relatively unscathed. Filled with songs that are fun (like Down at the Arcade), mischievous (with the James Brown-esque My Red Joystick) and reflective (on his track My Friend George) this is a great release packed to the gills with talent and musical ability.

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This is a 1980 copy of Ian Hunter’s live double album Welcome to the Club. Although he’s best known for his lead vocals in the band Mott the Hoople, Hunter proves with this release that he can more than stand his own. And this album is awesome both because it showcases Hunter in his best form: live, and loud; and also because it has Mott staples like All the Way From Memphis and All the Young Dudes along with some of Hunter’s best solo stuff like Bastard and Once Bitten, Twice Shy. You may also recognize his song Cleveland Rocks if you’re a fan of Drew Carey; a cover of it was used for the Drew Carey Show’s theme song.