Our Favorite Albums (311 – 320)
311. Tyler, The Creator – IGOR [2019]
Nominated by DJ Lukey G of The Guest List.
Work on the album began in 2017, with Tyler initially writing the song “Earfquake” for Canadian singer Justin Bieber and Barbadian singer Rihanna, who both turned down the song. The song “I Think” was recorded in Lake Como, Italy with the help of American singers Solange, whose vocals feature on the track, and Frank Ocean. Tyler wrote “Running Out of Time” while taking a break from a recording session with American rapper ASAP Ferg, feeling reassured after Kendrick Lamar told Tyler he appreciated his singing. Tyler produced the beat for “Gone, Gone” in 2013 while on tour for his second studio album Wolf, choosing to scrap the song from both Cherry Bomb and Flower Boy since he didn’t feel it fit either of those albums. (wikipedia.org)
312. Gangstarr – Daily Operation [1992]
Nominated by Fluccs Capacitor of Time Moves Slow who says: Another Gangstarr entry. Musically this album has so much influence on me because its just lush with great beats. Guru’s stories have titles that are poetic and novelesque – Soliloquy of Chaos, The Place Where We Dwell. Both this and Step In The Arena are odes to Brooklyn, self empowerment and every day crew activities. Everything from the cover which salutes Malcolm X, Elijah Muhammed & Mike Tyson to the jazz samples are steeped in Black pride.
313. Chicago – Chicago Transit Authority [1969]
Nominated by Psychedelic Rick of The Psychedelicatessen.
Chicago Transit Authority is the self-titled debut album by the Chicago-based rock band Chicago (then known as Chicago Transit Authority). Chicago Transit Authority signed to Columbia Records late in 1968 and recorded their first album in late January 1969 at CBS studios on 52nd Street in New York City. While Guercio had recently produced Blood, Sweat & Tears’ second album (which proved to be a huge smash), he did so to raise capital for his band, and to secure the contract with Columbia (which was reluctant at first to have two jazz-rock bands since Blood, Sweat & Tears was already on their roster). By the end of the Chicago Transit Authority sessions, the band had decided they wanted it to be a double album. Skeptical, as the band had no track record, Columbia only agreed to the concept if the group would take a royalty cut. (wikipedia.org)
314. Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young – Déjà Vu [1970]
Nominated by Michael Benson of 75% Folk, DJ Deni of Lovin’ the 70’s, and Leith of the Light Fandango.
The album was recorded between July, 1969 and January, 1970 at Wally Heider’s Studio C, San Francisco, and Wally Heider’s Studio III, Los Angeles. It was produced by all four members of the band. Stephen Stills estimates that the album took around 800 hours of studio time to record; this figure may be exaggerated, even though the individual tracks display meticulous attention to detail. The songs, except for “Woodstock”, were recorded as individual sessions by each member, with each contributing whatever was needed that could be agreed upon. Young appears on only half of the tracks with Nash stating he “generally recorded his tracks alone in Los Angeles then brought them back to the recording studio to put our voices on, then took it away to mix it”. (wikipedia.org)
315. Hole – Celebrity Skin [1998]
Nominated by DJ TJ of Punkadelic and DJ Cheshire Cat of Wonderland.
DJ Cheshire Cat says: Diverging from the amazing noise of their first two albums, Courtney Love and Eric Erlandson tap into the true roots of punk – pop gems wrapped in broken glass. Joined by Melissa Suf der Maur, the band lays down well-written, catchy melodies hidden in snarls and sarcasm. The opening title track, clocking in at the magical 2:42, sets the stage for a strong entry into Hole’s short discography.
316. D’Angelo – Live at the Jazz Cafe [1998]
Nominated by DJ MTSPEN of Storytime & Motivation Nation who says: A master at work before his first album was even released. A legendary performance.
317. Fabio Frizzi – L’Aldila (The Beyond) [1981]
Nominated by Rick Reaction.
Fabio Frizzi is a prolific Italian composer and musician who worked closely with director Lucio Fulci, including this soundtrack for the 1981 movie.
318. McCoy Tyner – Sahara [1972]
Nominated by Richard Kamins of River Valley Rhythms who says: The pianist finally shakes free of being John Coltrane’s pianist and produces one of the heftiest jazz quartet albums ever.
319. Grayson Hugh – Blind To Reason [1988]
Nominated by Robbie of Homegrown.
The second album from this Hartford, Connecticut based artist was his first for RCA Records, and peaked at #71 on the Billboard Top 200.
320. The Essex – Greatest Hits
Nominated by Psychedelic Rick of The Psychedelicatessen.
Founding members Walter Vickers (guitar) and Rodney Taylor (drums) were members of the United States Marine Corps stationed in Okinawa, Japan. After being transferred to Camp LeJeune in North Carolina, they enlisted fellow Marines Billy Hill (aka Billy Proctor) and Rudolph Johnson as group members. Next they added a female lead singer, Anita Humes, another Marine. (wikipedia.org)
