One of the most unusual fusions of styles you're ever likely to hear – as the set has Indian musician Magid Khan playing sitar over a set of Egyptian tunes composed by Baligh Hamdi – all in this amazing criss-crossing of cultural modes! The record features some larger arrangements from Abdel Halim Hafez – but the individual instruments really take the lead – not just Khan's sitar, but also work on tambura and tabla – balanced with Arabic instruments that include the ney, arghoul, darbuka, and qanun – all of which get these solo moments amidst the earthy rhythms that really drive the set! The album was issued by a French label at the start of the 80s, but the sound is all acoustic, and far more ancient in approach – almost as if the record takes us back to a secret meeting between musicians on the spice trail, on titles that include "Lahore", "Ennai", "Magnouna", "Achark", and "Sahara". LP, Vinyl record album

A very groovy album from the mid 60s – and it features some cool arrangements that feature a strong electric guitar, and a sound that's almost surf or spy! Titles include "Come On Seven", "Bag Of Beans", "D Train", "Verde", "El Gato", and "Papas Fritas". Very groovy! LP, Vinyl record album

BJ The Chicago Kid's second full length for Motown! BJ has a way of recalling classic Chicago soul in the earnest, emotional realness of his lyricism and relatively mellow style, which is a nicely grounding anchor given the modern overall aesthetic. It's a contemporary sound with a timeless soul at the center. BJ's years as a guest vocalist himself makes him such a great host for guest singers, MCs and producers on his own records, too – and this one features Anderson.Paak, Rick Ross, Afrojack and others with production by Danja, Cool & Dre, Karriem Riggins and more. Includes "Feel The Vibe" feat Anderson.Paak, "Champagne", "Get Away" feat JID, Buddy & Kent Jamz, "Tome Today", "Can't Wait", "Playa's ball" feat Rick Ross, "Too Good", "Close", "Rather Be With You", "Worryin' Bout Me" feat Offset, "Reach" feat Afrojack and more. LP, Vinyl record album

The mid 90s instant classic! Outkast's debut set them up as one of the most distinctive hip hop duos ever, right out of the gate, but it also helped to established the freewheeling, funky dirty south sound, thanks to genius Organized Noize production! The Outkast sound would get bigger and more wildly eclectic on the records to follow Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik, but the consistent, funky southern swagger on this one holds up incredibly well. It sounds fresh to this day! Includes breakout hit "Player's Ball", "Crumblin Erb", "Git Up, Git Out", "Claimin' True", "Funky Ride", "Soouthernplayalisticadillacmuzik", "Ain't No Thang", "CallOf Da Wild", "Hootie Hoo" and a couple of interludes. CD

The mid 90s instant classic! Outkast's debut set hem up as one of the most distinctive hip hop duos ever, right out of the gate, but it also helped to established the freewheeling, funky dirty south sound, thanks to genius Organized Noize production! The Outkast sound would get bigger and more wildly eclectic on the records to follow Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik, but the consistent, funky southern swagger on this one holds up incredibly well. It sounds fresh to this day! Includes breakout hit "Player's Ball", "Crumblin Erb", "Git Up, Git Out", "Claimin' True", "Funky Ride", "Soouthernplayalisticadillacmuzik", "Ain't No Thang", "CallOf Da Wild", "Hootie Hoo" and a couple of interludes. LP, Vinyl record album

Snoop's back, with guest spots and production by the Neptunes, Premier, Jay Z, Redman, Nate Dogg and others, and it's a real guilty pleasure. Snoop is Snoop, there's nothing fresh at all here, but whether you like the pooch or not, this without a doubt his tightest batch since Doggystyle. It's too damn long – stretched over 3 LPs, there's some definate quality hemorrhaging here and there – but the top tier producers bring their best games, and Snoop sounds like he cares for a change. He even looks alive these days – that house party live version of "From The Chuuuch To Da Palace" Snoop does with a funk band on Doggy Fizzle Televizzle (the equally great LP version you'll find here is produced by the Neptunes) really is fresh, and it burns, too. Other tracks include "Don Doggy", "Stoplight", "Da Bo$$ Would Like To See You", ""I Believe In You", "Lollipop", ""Beautiful", "Paper'd Up", "Bo$$ Playa", "I Miss That Bitch", ""From Long Beach 2 Brick City", and "Batman & Robin." 20 tracks on 3 LPs; a near masterpiece and we didn't even see it coming. LP, Vinyl record album