There is something beautifully tangible about holding a piece of vinyl in your hands, not to mention that rich analog sound. I’ve been buying records since I was 18. Growing up, my musical tastes were formed from my mothers eclectic record collection and in my early teens, I really had no direction in terms of what I liked. Then in the early 90s I discovered hip hop. Public Enemy, De La Soul, and Eric B. & Rakim were artists who forged my interest in sample-based music, and I wanted to find the original tracks that were used in the music I loved. That’s where my obsession with jazz, soul, funk started.  

1. Stepping into Tomorrow, Donald Byrd (1975)  

One of those albums I’ll never get tired of listening to. It has this soft yet funky kinda sound, but energetic at the same time. It was produced and arranged by Larry and Fonce Mizell who had worked with Byrd on Blackbyrd, Street Lady (another brilliant album) and Places and Spaces. This is the record you put on when you want to pour yourself a schooner of sake, slip into a deckchair and watch the sun go down. 

2. Labcabincalifornia, The Pharcyde (1995) 

I first bought a copy of this record on a trip to Japan in 1995. It was the first time I’d heard the production of James Yancey (Jay Dee/J Dilla) and from the first track, “Bullshit”, it just stopped me in my tracks. Musically, it’s next level. Beats, harmonising, rhymes – it has it all. It is complete genius. Although Jay Dee produced only half a dozen tracks on the album his influence across the rest of the album was obvious. I immediately ran out and bought it on cassette and CD as well, just so I could play it anywhere – in the car, at work, in the bath.  

3. The Awakening, Ahmad Jamal Trio (1970) 

I hunted for a copy of this for many years. A friend introduced me to the music of Ahmad Jamal in the late 90s and I’ve been a massive fan ever since. This is the album that resonates the most with me. A shift in style from his previous work during the 60s, but still in his own distinct style. Thanks to being sampled heavily in the late 90s and early 2000s, the album is filled with familiar riffs and snippets from some famous hip hop tracks.  Essential listening.

4. Do it (’Til You’re Satisfied), B.T. Express (1974) 

A good friend of mine who is an avid collector of records put me onto this album. I’d skipped over it because the cover was a little corny (I learned later that those corny album covers were a goldmine for some brilliant music). This is B.T. Express’ first album and the title track is pure classy funk known to fill a dance floor. The album also features the great Michael Jones on keys who went on to carve out a serious career for himself in the 80s.  

5. Skyy Line, Skyy (1981) 

Skyy as a group were famous for their super OTT white one-piece jumpsuits (don’t believe me? Check out the cover of ‘Skyyport’ to see the most epic album photoshoot ever). Front to back, this album is all killer. The fourth album from Skyy was – and still is – sadly overlooked. Often described incorrectly as disco, it’s more dancefloor funk. It just rolls from one bumping track to another. So infectious you’ll struggle not to get down.