Music has been a huge part of my life as long as I can remember. As a young child I would sit next to my parents record player with the over-ear headphones listening through all their old albums. I love the sound and feel of a record album, and have been collecting them since high school. I listen to a wide variety of music, and below is a list of my favorites over the years.
I DJ as a hobby, check out my Bandcamp with some old beats and mixes!
Partial of the record collection and a snoozing Rory.
I listen to lot of different kinds of music, and I'm driven by great beats, music dripping with originality and depth. This isn't a ranking, just a list of albums I love.
I've always been a big fan of independent hip hop, mostly, and like a lot of people my tastes ebb and flow over time. These are some I never get tired of.
MF Doom - Operation Doomsday - I don't think I'll ever get tired of this album. A friend in college introduced this to me, and I've been stuck ever since. I remember asking him what kind of music he was into, and he staunchly stated "I only listen to hip hop". Coming from a small town this was a revelation to me, and as much as I respected it I can't help but be driven to a bit more variety than that.
Binary Star - Masters of the Universe - Practically unknown, this one is an absolute gem. Thoughtful and deep, one of the best from this era.
Atmosphere - Overcast! - 'Backpacker hip hop' was such a thing back in college, and I don't know if it will ever truly exist again like it did then. This album to me was the true introduction to what hip hop could be without the pomp. A lyrical masterclass.
Sage Francis - Personal Journals - I'm admittedly hot and cold on Sage, but I can't deny the lyricism on this first solo effort. It's brilliant and his wordplay is not to be missed. Might take a few listens to absorb, but worth it.
Aesop Rock - Labor Days - So much of Aesop's work is so laced with metaphor and obscure references it may sound like near nonsense, but slow it down and pay close attention and you'll find a creative depth rarely matched. He has many strong albums but this one for me stands tall.
Cannibal Ox - The Cold Vein - Another Def Jux (sorry, Def Jam, I mean Definitive Jux..). Where do I begin with this one? El-P's production sets a tone throughout that just oozes and urban feel and it's equally matched by Vast Aire and Vordul Mega on the mic. It's dark, it's poetic. This album still feels unique 20+ years later.
Company Flow - Funcrusher_Plus - My introduction to El-P. Most nowadays would recognize him from Run the Jewels, but this album is pure underground royalty. Can't imagine an old hip hop head not having this in the archives as well as the rotation.
Madvillian - Madvilliany - Two underground legends combine strengths to create something great. Great album.
Deltron 3030 - Deltron 3030 - Great concept album dealing with a range of futuristic themes. Tremendous production on this one from Dan the Automator.
Andersen .Paak - Malibu - This album (which is my favorite work by Andersen) runs the gamut of styles, but considering I came across him as an artist originally from a hip hop album, I feel like this is the best slot. A great album to listen from start to finish.
Blackalicious - Blazing Arrow - I was fortunate enough to see Blackalicious way back in college, back at Top Cats in Cincinnati for like $5 in 2000. Great vibe from the whole album and Gift of Gab's lyricism is phenomenal.
Cunninlynguists - A Piece of Strange - Honest, brooding, and deep. Such a good album, and the production from Kno sets the tone throughout the entire album.
Mos Def & Talib Kweli Are Black Star - "And fantasy it was, for we were not strong, only aggressive; we were not free, merely licensed; we were not compassionate, we were polite; not good but well-behaved. We courted death in order to call ourselves brave, and hid like thieves from life."
I'm a huge fan of beats, rhythms, samples, etc., and I enjoy instrumental work just as much as music with vocals. The older I get, the more I am drawn into purely instrumental work, not sure why!
Flying Lotus - Los Angeles - My first listen of this and I was hooked. It's funky, original, and was so different from everything else at the time. FlyLo has released a number of great albums after this earlier one but it is still my favorite of his.Sixtoo - Duration - Love this strange & creative album from Sixtoo. I can't think of anything that sounds quite like it.
J Dilla - Donuts - Just brilliant and knowing the history of how J Dilla made this album is heartbreaking. Dilla was very sick towards the end of his life and made much of this album in the hospital. Creative beatmaking at its peak.
DJ Shadow - Endtroducing..... - Probably the first instrumental album that shifted my mindset regarding no vocals on an album. A 90's era masterpiece that still stands tall.
Exile - Radio - Supremely underrated. I am still stunned that this one is still practically unknown but so so good. Don't sleep on it.
Clams Casino - Intrumentals - A gorgeous instrumental album, originally dropped for free by Clams Casino. The beats are stellar, complex, and drive a strong mood across the entire listen. I had not heard any of the original tracks with the artists that rapped over them, and honestly still haven't!
RJD2 - Deadringer - A sampling wonder. The layering happening throughout this old Definitive Jux album is mind melting at times, considering how much the artist had to dig through old records to find what he wanted to create and recreate.
Blue Sky Black Death - Glaciers - Like most BSBD work, it is dark, symphonic, and creates a entire landscape I'm not sure exists elsewhere. If it does, I haven't found it. This one of my goto albums for studying, focus work, meditation, etc..
Blockhead - Music by Cavelight - Love this album. It's creative and has some great moments along the record. Always surprised this one didn't get top reviews, it's quite good.
Prefuse 73 - Surrounded by Silence - Lot of collabs on this album however enough straight up instrumentals for me to drop it here. I love the button pushy funkiness on this one, and the collabs are good too. "Now You're Leaving" with Camu Tao is probably my favorite track here.