Awesome albums
Awesome albums by style
Jazz
Miles Davis - Kind of Blue (1959)
No need for introduction - probably the most popular jazz record of all time.
Dave Brubeck - Time Out (1959)
A legendary album that helped define the cool jazz genre. Based on unusual time signatures, which is pretty badass from a musician standpoint as well.
Rock
The Clash - London Calling (1979)
Minutemen - Double Nickles on the Dime (1984)
I think this one influenced the alternative rock quite bit. Not the usual punk/hardcore sound, it’s much softer and funkier.
Red Hot Chilli Peppers - Freaky Styley (1985)
RHCP are pretty well-known for their newer & more mainstream (not necessarily bad) stuff. However, their early albums have always been closer to my heart. Pure funk!
Melvins - Bullhead (1991)
Morphine - Cure for Pain (1993)
A milestone for the low rock genre. The ambience is just magnificent and this album is a lesson in minimalism for every musician.
Hip-Hop
The Pharcyde - Bizarre Ride II (1992)
I’m not much of a rap guy, but that’s truly epic. A lot of diversity and a great deal of really good musical content (having samples with “real” instruments really helps). Also, unlike other performers in the rap universe, the group doesn’t take themselves too seriously.
Found a great deal of new music by searching the samples in this album.