8 vinyl recommendations

Jazz, soul, electronic, reggae, rock, funk...a little something for (almost) everyone.  Here are 8 recommendations spanning the genres from the well known to the little known. Click the album artworks to view the product pages.

Amy Winehouse Back In Black (10th anniversary deluxe edition)
(2006)

A Blue Sky Música best seller!

Deluxe edition of this soul classic, half speed mastered at Abbey Road Studios for superior sound quality - the definitive version on vinyl.  This 2LP 10th anniversary vinyl set contains the original album plus many of which appear on vinyl for the first time - the second disc containing B-sides, rare, and live tracks including “Valerie”, “Cupid” and “Monkey Man".  

Hard Meat - Hard Meat
(1970)

Underground UK psychedelic rock

The late 60's and early 70's was such a generous period for psychedelic rock music that a lot of good stuff flew under the radar even at the time.  This 1970 debut from UK group Hard Meat is one example; a heavy psychedelic rock album with prog and folk rock touches, full of great guitar solos and Keith Moon style drumming.  Reissued on vinyl for the first time ever, this is an album that will appeal to fans of the genre.

Jimi Hendrix - Band of Gypsys
(1970)

Live classic!

Stunning live performance originally released in 1970 with Hendrix backed by Billy Cox on bass and Buddy Miles on drums, with a departure in sound from Hendrix' previous lineup as The Jimi Hendrix Experience.  The change of rhythm players lent an earthier funk and R&B sound to the psychedelic, blues, jazz and hard rock styles he was already known for, and Hendrix was on fire here with some of the most incredible guitar playing of his career. 

Global Communication - 76:14
(1994)

Downtempo electronic classic!

One of the finest ambient techno albums to come out of the 90's, 76:14 was a groundbreaking release and hugely influential across the whole downtempo scene that followed.  A reflective and emotional journey through some beautiful, ethereal soundscapes.  Excellent limited edition reissue from Music on Vinyl for 2020, pressed on 180 gram transparent vinyl

Mozes and the Firstborn - Dadcore
(2019)

For the power pop fans!

Playing a potent mix of sleazy grunge and power pop perfection Mozes and the Firstborn, the band’s inspirations vary from Guided by Voices and Beck to Weezer and Nirvana. With ‘Dadcore’, Mozes and the Firstborn embrace this sentiment of looking back to what their dads listened to exploring their favourite styles within the paternal genre.  Whilst there's a very 90's rock sound on this one, it never sounds merely pastiche.

Various Artists: The Best of Jicco Funk Vol. 1
(2020)

Compilation for the reggae collectors

Limited to 500 copies, Dig This Way Records produced this compilation to highlight some of the near unknown music released in 1979/80 by Nigerian label Jicco Funk.  On the first volume in the series the focus is on music crossing the lines between Reggae and Funk.  

Various Artists: Mr Bongo - Record Club Volume 3
(2019)

Compilation for the eclectic world music lovers

The crate-diggers behind the Mr Bongo label can usually be relied upon to showcase some seriously good tunes old and new. That's certainly the case on this third volume in the "Record Club" series of compilations. Spanning sunshine soul, obscure samba, spacey jazz-funk experimentation, underground disco, fiery funk, weirdo rock, cheery South African bubblegum, synth-laden early '80s highlife, Ramsay Lewis style workouts and the psychedelic Middle Eastern disco-funk of Elias Rahbani, the compilations' 20 tracks are not only near faultless, but genuinely surprising and eye-opening. 

Cannonball Adderley - Somethin' Else (Analogue Productions reissue)
(1958)

Essential jazz classic

Audiophile quality Analogue Productions reissue of this 1958 hard bop masterpiece, perfect for beginners or veterans of jazz collecting! One of the defining jazz albums from the legendary Blue Note label, Cannonball Adderley is backed by an all-star lineup, recorded and engineered by Rudy Van Gelder.  This deluxe limited edition has been officially remastered from the original analogue source tapes and pressed on 2x12" 180 gram vinyl at 45rpm for the highest quality sound, and presented in an individually numbered heavyweight sleeve.