The Gift of Music

Christmas is coming and thanks to the return of tangible music products, it is more possible than ever to buy that special someone the gift of music. But what to buy? Where to start? Here is a buyer’s guide across genres and decades, each of them a superb album in their genre. Just ensure the recipient has something to play it on…

Art Rock:

Brian Eno – Taking Tiger Mountain (by strategy) (1974)

Sonic Egghead Eno delivers some of his best non ambient songs.

Yacht Rock:

Steely Dan – Pretzel Logic (1974)

Every cut here is a mini jazz-pop masterpiece.

R&B:

Chaka Khan – Whatcha Gonna Gonna Do For Me? (1981)

Her global hits were just around the corner, this Arif Mardin produced predecessor is a funky treat.

Singer/Songwriter:

Billy Joel – An Innocent Man (1983)

His best 80’s album. Catchy, rootsy and heart on sleeve.

Hard Rock/Metal:

Whitesnake – 1987 (1987)

A new direction for this blues based band, it’s also their best singular statement of classic rock!

Hip Hop:

A Tribe Called Quest – Low End Theory (1991)

A total game changer: jazzy samples, danceable beats and rhymes for miles.

Jazz:

Dominic Miller – Absinthe (2019)

Sting’s long term guitarist delivers a textural, wintery vibe on the legendary ECM label.

Indie/Alternative:

Everything Everything – Mountainhead (2024)

After 15 years together, this bands evolution continues with one of their most satisfying of releases.