GEAR GRID

Wu-Tang: Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) / $24

If Dr. Dre and Ice Cube were Martin Scorsese taking the genre by storm, Wu-Tang was Quentin Tarantino, dripping in a raw, unapologetic, funk. A parental advisory sticker wouldn’t do justice, as one click on the stereo and anything that was in the tape deck before would instantly light on fire, soaked in lighter fluid, and cut to shreds with a Samurai sword. This album on vinyl bangs harder than a round of bullets in Reservoir dogs. Now give it up for the distorted, unpressentant sound from the boys of  Staten Island.

Throw up your W

Merle Haggard: Mama Tried / $22

“And I turned 21 in prison doing life without parole

No one could steer me right but mama tried, mama tried

Mama tried to raise me better, but her pleading I denied

That leaves only me to blame ‘cause mama tried”

The iconic Merle Haggard did indeed spend time in the penitentiary. After his father passed, and before embarking on one of the most successful country music careers of all time, Haggard was locked up on several accounts, and spent time behind bars in San Quentin State Penitentiary.

Jimi Hendrix: Are you Experienced / $16

In 1967 Jimi Hendrix debuted his first album entitled Are you Experienced. They album dove right into Purple Haze, showcasing Jimi’s superb skills on an instrument that is iconic to him. The argument for the top 5 best guitar players ever is always an interesting one, but they all have one man as #1. The album also features Foxey Lady, Hey Joe, Fire, and The Wind Cries Mary. It is no wonder that with an album with so many hits, Jimi Hendrix became an instant rock and roll God, and immortalized himself on the Mount Rushmore of a genre with a bushel of competition.

Pearl Jam: Ten / $26

Since the release in August 1991, Ten in the most ironic sense has sold over the albums namesake in millions—that’s right, ten million copies. We’re not here to tell you about this album, you should already know. We can tell you no collection is complete without it, a time capsule to the spearheaded movement of grunge, and the beginning of a band that will echo through the timeline of music history.

“Oh, the pictures have all been washed in black, tattooed everything…”

Beastie Boys: Licensed To Ill / $22

Released on November 15, 1986, by Def Jam and Columbia Records, License To Ill became the first rap LP to top the Billboard album chart—an unforgettable debut for the Beastie Boys. Though some tracks echo as overplayed even today ( Brass Monkey, Girls), It’s the stylistic anthems of Rhymin’ & Stealin’, Ali Baba, 40 thieves, and The New Style that set the tone of the trio’s iconic career. The guitar-jam-fueled No Sleep Till Brooklyn remains one of the best Beastie songs ever—a sure-fire add to any collectors vinyl rolodex.

Johnny Cash: At Folsom Prison / $24

“I wore black because I liked it. I still do, and wearing it still means something to me. It’s still my symbol of rebellion — against a stagnant status quo, against our hypocritical houses of God, against people whose minds are closed to others’ ideas.”

― Johnny Cash

Langhorne Slim & The Law: The Way We Move / $18

Every now and then a record comes out with the ability to captivate your soul, challenge your mind, and inspire your ability. This is one of those records. Our favorite album by the lyrical genius Langhorne Slim, his sound will keep the needle pressed down on the vinyl for weeks to come. Buckle up, and get ready to get moved by one of the most creative voices in Americana music today.

Getz/ Gilberto / $14

In 1964 American saxophonist Stan Getz and Brazilian guitarist Joao Gilberto made an album that will forever be immortalized as one of the greatest jazz albums of all time. Featuring the song, The Girl From Ipanema, the album has topped the charts as a classic on Rolling Stone and Vibe and won several Grammys. Sometimes Bob Dylan needs a break from the turntables. Throw on this vinyl, pour a glass of wine, and soak in the evening.

Charley Patton Vol. 1 / $16

Born in Mississippi, slide guitarist Charley Patton is regarded by many as the “Father of Delta Blues,” famous for his prevailing voice and enchanting showmanship. The recordings in this 180gm black vinyl LP establish the foundation of American culture.

Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers: The Best Of Everything / $80

The Definitive Career Spanning Hits Collection is a travel through the discography of Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, and the first anthology to span Petty’s entire career. The record contains 38 tracks forming a compilation essential milestones from the legends first album to Mudcrutch 2. This album is offered from our friends at Vinyl Me Please, the best damn record club on earth.

The Police: Ghost in the Machine / $29

Ghost in the Machine was released in 1981 and was the fourth studio album from The Police, serving as a stepping stone from the bands widely acclaimed early work towards the new direction they intended to traverse. Rolling Stone Magazine has it in the 500 best albums of all time clocking in at 323. An uncommon, but necessary add to the vinyl lineup at home.

Nirvana MTV Unplugged / $21

Hailed as one of the greatest live performances recorded and witnessed, Nirvana MTV Unplugged was a heavy acoustic live set recorded at Sony Music Studios in New York City on November 18, 1993. With a unique set list, it showcased another side of perhaps the worlds most important band at the time, and became one of Cobain’s most memorable and intimate performances.

A Tribe Called Quest: Midnight Marauders / $17

Released on November 9th, 1993, Midnight Marauders was the third studio album and widely considered ATCQ’s most consistent collection of tracks. The record is known for the seamless stroll through jazz-inspired hip-hop, compiled with what some regard the best lyricism of any A Tribe Called Quest album—it consistently gets better with every single listen, which makes it a true testament of time for American Hip Hop.

LCD Soundsystem: Electric Lady Sessions / $33

Recorded at the famous Electric Lady Studios in Greenwhich Village, this vinyl offers a live collection of LCD Soundsystem classics, a few covers, and selected material from the their latest album, American Dream. A must add to the record collection for any fan of James Murphy and crew, as it offers a intimate, raw, and live portal to the lucid world of LCD Soundsystem—one that you can’t attain from mixed and mastered studio tracks.

Springsteen on Broadway / $24

With crystal clear acoustics, this album transports any listener to the Walter Kerr Theater in 2018 where the boss held a residency, delivering an intimate and emotional performance and reflection into his life lessons as a Jersey boy. The album reached the top of the charts in more than ten countries and offers unique takes on a tracklist spanning over a decade of The Boss’s career. A memorable and profoundly deep album to celebrate one of the most iconic American singer-songwriters and performers of our time.

The Highwaymen: Highwayman / $24

Wouldn’t that have been cool if Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, and Kris Kristofferson had made a supergroup? Oh yeah, they did. Highwayman was the first studio album by these rock n’ roll cowboys. Never a bad time to drop the needle on this one. Truly, the Mount Rushmore of country music.

Lead Belly Legacy, Vol. 1 / $19

If you watched Nirvana’s MTV Unplugged and thought Where Did You Sleep Last Night was an original track by the king of grunge, boy, were you wrong. Written by Leadbelly, his songs have influenced rock and roll more than just about anybody. He’s also credited for writing, Black Betty, Gallows Pole, and Goodnight Irene. This vinyl is a must have if you’re into the classics.