Recommended Records

Home / Music / Mentors / Recommended Records

Not a page about that fine record label, but a list of my favourite records (all LPs unless stated) :

Classical
Choral
Contemporary
Electronic *
Experimental *
Zeuhl *
RIO *
Progressive *
Ambient *
Singers
World
Jazz
Funk
House +

* Electronic, Experimental, Zeuhl, RIO, Progressive and Ambient musics are available at the world's best record shops: Ultima Thule in Leicester and ReR Megacorp online.
+ House music is available at HardWax in Berlin and Sister Ray in London.
Reggae is available from Pressure Sounds, and Diverse Vinyl specialise in vinyl of all genres.
See also this Walking Tour of Speciality Record Stores in and around Soho.

This list is only the very best of my collection (bold links are my own pages). See also my Mentors. I've tried to limit it to only one album per artist, with a few exceptions; some genre-crossing composers appear in different categories. One day I'll make a list of all of my records, and eventually, a database of the finest recordings I've heard - on radio and elsewhere - a repertoire of music worth keeping...

Classical

Joseph Haydn - STRING QUARTETS Op.33 No.2 ("Joke"), Op.3 No.5 ("Serenade"), Op.76 No.2 ("Fifths") {Janacek Quartet} (1964) [Ace of Diamonds SDD285]
Franz Schubert - PART SONGS {Helen Watts & Robert Tear with The Elizabethan Singers} (1967) [Ace of Diamonds SDD377]
Ludwig van Beethoven - PIANO SONATAS Op.2 No.1, Op.81a ("Les Adieux"), Op.49 No.2 {Alfred Brendel} (1979) [Philips 9500 507]
Arnold Schoenberg - VERKLARTE NACHT / CHAMBER SYMPHONY No.1 {London Sinfonietta} (1899/1906/1977) [Decca Ace of Diamonds SDD519]
Francis Poulenc - THE COMPLETE CHAMBER MUSIC {The Nash Ensemble with Ian Brown - piano} (1918-62/1999) [Hyperion CDA67255/6] 2CD
Gustav Holst - ORIENTAL SUITE: BENI MORA Op.29 No.1 {Sir Adrian Boult conducts the London Philharmonic Orchestra} [Lyrita SRCD 222] CD or {Rumon Gamba conducts the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra} (1910/??) [?]
Vaughan Williams - SYMPHONY No.5 / SUITE: FLOS CAMPI {Vernon Handley conducts The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra} (1938-43/1925/1987) [EMI EMX2112] or [Classics for Pleasure 7243 5 75311 2 2] CD with Oboe Concerto extra track
Michael Tippett - CONCERTO FOR DOUBLE STRING ORCHESTRA {Neville Marriner conducts the Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields} (1939/1975) [Argo ZRG680]
Andrzej Panufnik - SINFONIA SACRA / SINFONIA RUSTICA {Andrzej Panufnik conducts The Monte Carlo Orchestra} (1948/1963/1967) [Unicorn UNS257]
Alfred Schnittke - CONCERTO GROSSO No.1 (1977) / CONCERTO FOR PIANO & STRINGS (1979) / CONCERTO FOR OBOE, HARP & STRINGS (1971) {Helen Jahren (oboe), Kjell Axel Lier (harp), Patrik Swedrup (violin), Christian Bergqvist (violin), Roland Pontinen (piano), New Stockholm Chamber Orchestra} [BIS BISCD377] (1987) CD

Choral

Hildegard of Bingen - SEQUENCES & HYMNS {Gothic Voices} (1982) [Hyperion A66039]
Gustav Holst - CHORAL HYMNS FROM THE RIG VEDA Op.26 No.3 (1910) {Sir David Willcocks conducts The Royal College of Music Chamber Choir with the Royal Philharmonic Orceshtra and harpist Osian Ellis} [Unicorn DPKCD9046] CD
or {Hilary Davan Wetton conducts The Holst Singers with harpist Thelma Owen} [?]
or {Imogen Holst conducts The Purcell Singers with harpist Osian Ellis @ Kingsway Hall, London in 1965} [?]
David Hykes & The Harmonic Choir - HEARING SOLAR WINDS (1985/1988) [Ocora 558 607]
Veljo Tormis - LITANY TO THUNDER {Tonu Kaljuste conducts the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir} (1999) [ECM 1687] CD
Roxanna Panufnik - ANGELS SING (includes her WESTMINSTER MASS) {Peter Broadbent conducts The Joyful Company of Singers, James O'Donnell conducts The Westminster Cathedral Choir, with City Of London Sinfonia} (1997-2001/2003) [2003, [Warner Classics 256460292-2] CD

Contemporary

Steve Reich - SEXTET / SIX MARIMBAS {Steve Reich & Musicians / Nexus / Manhattan Marimba Quartet} (1986) [Nonesuch 979 138-1]
John Adams - HARMONIUM {Edo de Waart conducts The San Francisco Symphony Orchestra & Chorus} (1984) [ECM 1277]
Arvo Part - TABULA RASA / FRATRES / CANTUS IN MEMORIAM BENJAMIN BRITTEN {Saulus Sondeckis conducts the Lithuanian Chamber Orchestra with Gidon Kremer, Tatjana Grindenko & Alfred Schnittke / Gidon Kremer & Keith Jarrett / The 12 Cellists of The Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra / Dennis Russell Davies conducts the Staatsorchester Stuttgart} (1984) [ECM 1275]
Alfred Schnittke - PIANO QUINTETT {Ludmilla Berlinsky with The Borodin Quartet} (1976) [Virgin Classics] CD [Score published by Hans Sikorski No.2252]
Walter Fahndrich - VIOLA (1991) [ECM 1412]
George Crumb - ANCIENT VOICES OF CHILDREN {Arthur Weisberg conducts The Contemporary Chamber Ensemble} (1971) [Nonesuch H-71255]
Gyorgy Ligeti - MELODIEN / DOUBLE CONCERTO for Flute, Oboe & Orchestra / CHAMBER CONCERTO {David Atherton conducts The London Sinfonietta with Aurele Nicolet & Heinz Holliger} (1971/1972/1970/1976) [Decca HEAD12]
Iannis Xenakis - METASTASIS / PITHOPRAKTA / EONTA {Maurice Le Roux conducts The French National Radio Orchestra} (1954/1956/1964/1967) [Vanguard VCS-10030]

Electronic

Ashra - BLACKOUTS (1978) [Virgin OVED193]
Kraftwerk - AUTOBAHN (1974) [Vertigo 6360 620]
Neuronium - DIGITAL DREAM (1980) [Neuronium Records L8NE36]
Tangerine Dream - RICOCHET (1975) [Virgin OVED26] also [1995, Virgin TAND7 724384006426] CD
Klaus Schulze - X (1978) [Brain 0080.023] 2LP also [Brain 833627-2] 2CD
Robert Schroeder - HARMONIC ASCENDANT (1979) [Innovative Communication KS80.033] also [Racket Records/DA Music 873015-2] CD
Robert Rich - NUMENA (1987/1993) [Amoeba Music / Linden Music LM2012] CD
Edward Artemyev - SOLARIS, THE MIRROR, STALKER {Soundtracks to Andrei Tarkovsky's films} (1971-77/1990) [Torso Kino 50001 / EFA LP 14279-18] 2LP also [Electroshock ELCD 012] CD
Edward Artemiev / Alfred Schnittke / Edison Denisov / Sofia Gubaidulina / O. Buloshkin - MUSICAL OFFERING (1971/1991) [Melodia C60 30721 000] also [Electroshock ELCD 011] CD
Francois Bayle - EROSPHERE (1978-79/1990) [INA.GRM INAC3002] CD
Takehito Shimazu / Boguslaw Schaeffer / Rolf Enstrom: "Fractal" - INVENTIONEN (Lp2) (1985) [Editions RZ ERZ3]
Gunner Moller Pedersen - ET LYDAR ('A Sound Year - 12 months in electronic music') (1982) [Danacord DACO211-216] 6LP Box also [Dacapo 8.224174-79] 6CD
Roberto Filoseta - BARDO {Existence Between Existences} (2000) [Private release] CD

Experimental

Peter Frohmader - WINTERMUSIC / BASS SYMPHONY No.3 (1984/1987) [Multimood MRC006]
Nurse With Wound / Whitehouse - THE 150 MURDEROUS PASSIONS, OR THOSE BELONGING TO THE FOURTH CLASS, COMPOSING THE 28 DAYS OF FEBRUARY SPENT IN HEARING THE NARRATIONS OF MADAME DESGRANGES, INTERSPERSED AMONGST WHICH ARE THE SCANDALOUS DOINGS AT THE CHATEAU DURING THAT MONTH (1981) [United Dairies UD09, also available on CD: SUSAN LAWLY SLCD019]
Nurse With Wound - A MISSING SENSE / DADA [?]

Zeuhl

The Zeuhl school developed from the epic space jazz rock idiom begun by Magma, featuring some of France's greatest musicians.

Magma - MEKANIK DESTRUKTIW KOMMANDOH (1973) [A&M Records] also [Seventh Records REX7/Harmonia Mundi HMCD85] CD
Magma - LIVE (1975/1986) [Jaro 4122/23] 2LP also [Charly SNAP008] CD
Weidorje - WEIDORJE (1978/1992) [Musea FGBG4058.AR] CD
Potemkine - TRITON (1974-77/200?) [Soleil Zeuhl 04] CD
Eskaton - ARDEUR (1980/2003) [Soleil Zeuhl 10] CD
Laurent Thibault - MAIS ON NE PEUT PAS REVER TOUT LE TEMPS (1979/1992) [Musea FGBG4054.AR] CD
ZAO - Z=7L (1973/1993) [Phonogram / Musea FGBG4081.AR] CD
Yochk'o Seffer Neffesh Music - GHILGOUL (1978) [Musea FGBG4145.AR] CD with bonus tracks
Shub Niggurath - LES MORTS VONT VITE (1987) [Musea FGBG2002] also [1997, Musea/Gazul GA8613.AR] CD with bonus tracks

RIO

(RIO = Rock In Opposition, nothing to do with Brazil)

Univers Zero - CEUX DU DEHORS (1981) [Recommended Records RR10] also [1992, Cuneiform Rune39] CD with bonus track
Present - TRISKAIDEKAPHOBIE / LE POISON QUI REND FOU (1989) [Cuneiform Records 17CDX] CD
Henry Cow - IN PRAISE OF LEARNING (1975 Original Mix) [ReR HC3] CD
Art Bears - HOPES AND FEARS (1978) [Recommended Records Re2188]
Miriodor - RENCONTRES (1984-86/1998) [Cuneiform Records RUNE108] CD
Vril (Chris Cutler, Bob Drake & Lukas Simonis) - EFFIGIES IN CORK (2003) [ReR VRIL1] CD

Progressive

Algarnas Tradgard - FRAMTIDEN AR ETT SVAVANDE SKEPP, FORANKRAT I FORNTIDEN ('The Future Is a Floating Ship, Anchored to Antiquity') (1971) [Silence SRS4611] also [1995, Silence SRSCD3611] CD with 2 bonus tracks
Broselmaschine - BROSELMASCHINE (1971) [Spalax SPA14882] CD
Kino Glaz - AL PASSO CON L'ARCANGELO (1987) [Auf Dem Nil DMM008R]
Pierrot Lunaire - GUDRUN (197?/1987) [RCA Tokyo CR-10064]
Faust - FAUST (1971) [Polydor Super 2310 142] Clear vinyl!
Holderlins Traum - HOLDERLINS TRAUM (1972) [Pilz / Pop Import 20 21314-5]
Catherine Ribeiro + Alpes - PAIX (1972/1993) [Phonogram / Mantra 642078] CD
Amon Duul II - CARNIVAL IN BABYLON (1972) [United Artists UAG29327]
Popol Vuh - HOSIANNA MANTRA (1974) [Pilz / Pop Import 20 29143-1] also [1999, ZYX/OHR 70022-2] CD
Anthony Phillips - 1984 (1981) [Passport Records PB 6006]
Van der Graaf Generator - H TO He WHO AM THE ONLY ONE (1970) [Virgin CASCD1027] CD
Supersister - PRESENT FROM NANCY / TO THE HIGHEST BIDDER (1970/1971) [1990, Polydor 843231-2] CD
Quiet Sun - MAINSTREAM (1975) [Island HELP19]
King Crimson - LARK'S TONGUES IN ASPIC (1973) [EG Records EGLP7]
Tangerine Dream - FORCE MAJEURE (1979) [Virgin OVED111] also [1995, Virgin TAND10] CD

Ambient

Arnold Schoenberg - EIN STELLDICHEIN / HERZGEWASCHE / NACHTWANDLER / PIERROT LUNAIRE / THREE PIECES {London Sinfonietta} (1905/1910/1977) [Decca SDD 520]
Harold Budd - THE PAVILION OF DREAMS (1978) [EG Records EGS301]
Brian Eno - ON LAND (1982) [EG Records EGED20] also [EG Records EEGCD20]
Brian Eno - THURSDAY AFTERNOON (1985) [EG 827494-2] CD
Jon Hassell / Brian Eno - FOURTH WORLD VOL.1: POSSIBLE MUSICS (1978) [EG Records EGED7]
Steve Moore - A QUIET GATHERING (1988) [Recommended Records ReR30]
Stephan Micus - DARKNESS AND LIGHT (1990) [ECM 1427]
Tamia & Pierre Favre - DE LA NUIT... LE JOUR (1988) [ECM 1364]

Singers

David Sylvian - BRILLIANT TREES (1984) [Virgin V2290]
Rain Tree Crow - RAIN TREE CROW (1991) [Virgin V2659]
Tom Waits - SWORDFISHTROMBONES (1983) [Island ILPM9762]
Matti Caspi ??? (19?) [?]
Noa ??? (19?) [?]
Kate Bush - THE KICK INSIDE (1978) [EMI EMC3223]
Joni Mitchell - DON JUAN'S RECKLESS DAUGHTER (1978) [Asylum Records K63003] 2LP
Goldfrapp - FELT MOUNTAIN (2000) [Mute Records STUMM188]
Bjork - DEBUT (1993) [One Little Indian TPLP31]
Beth Gibbons & Rustin Man - OUT OF SEASON (2002) [Go Beat 066574-2] CD
Dead Can Dance - AION (1990) [4AD CAD0007]
Abba - ARRIVAL (1976) [Epic EPC86018]
Antony and the Johnsons - I AM A BIRD NOW (2005) [Rebis Music SC105] CD

World

Joyce - PASSARINHO URBANO (1977) [Folk Internazionale / Discos Continental 1-01-404-150]
Songhai (Toumani Diabate / Ketama / Danny Thompson) - SONGHAI (1988) [Hannibal HNBL1323]
Youssou N'Dour - IMMIGRES (1984) [2002, Stern's Earthworks STEWCD10] CD
Baaba Maal & Mansour Seck - DJAM LEELII (1989) [Rogue FMSL2014]
Fela Kuti & Egypt '80 - ODOO (1990) [Eurobond JD-EUR-360-442]
Mustapha Tetty Addy - MASTER DRUMMER FROM GHANA (1972) [Tangent TGS113]
Ensemble Bash - DAMBA MOON (2000) [Soundcircus SC006] CD
African Head Charge - SONGS OF PRAISE (1990) [On-U Sound ON-U LP50]
Creation Rebel - STARSHIP AFRICA (1980) [On-U Sound ON-U LP8]
Lee 'Scratch' Perry & friends - OPEN THE GATE (1969-74/1989) [Trojan PERRY2] 3LP Box
Andreas Vollenweider - CAVERNA MAGICA (1983) [CBS 25980]
Zakir Hussain / Hariprasad Chaurasia / John McLaughlin / Jan Garbarek - MAKING MUSIC (1987) [ECM 1349]
Nori Jacobi / Victoria Hanna / Wolfgang Saus / Dangua Khosbayar - JERUSALEM DREAM (2005) [Jerusalem Music Center private release / download] CD

Jazz

John Coltrane - KULU SE MAMA (1967) [Jasmine JAS51]
Miles Davis - SKETCHES OF SPAIN {Arranged and conducted by Gil Evans} (1960) [CBS 32023]
Andy Sheppard - INTRODUCTIONS IN THE DARK (1989) [Antilles AN8742]
Marc Moulin - SAM' SUFFY (1974/1996) [Counterpoint CR003]
Gil Scott-Heron - THE REVOLUTION WILL NOT BE TELEVISED (1970-72/1988) [BMG NL86994]
Lee Oskar - MY ROAD, OUR ROAD (1981) [Elektra XSE-526]
Flora Purim - BUTTERFLY DREAMS (1973) [Milestone 9052 / Original Jazz Classics OJC-315]
Nikki Yeoh's Infinitum with Joanna Macgregor - PIANO LANGUAGE (1998) [Soundcircus SC001] CD
Robert Mitchell's Panacea - VOYAGER (2001) [Dune CD04] CD
The Platina - THE GIRL WITH THE FLAXEN HAIR (1976/2003) [MIO-030] CD
Alfred Schnittke - FILM MUSIC especially SPORT, SPORT, SPORT {Soundtrack to Ellen Klimov's hilarious film} {Emin Khachaturyan conducts the USSR Cinematography Symphony Orchestra} (1970-1985/2003) [Olympia OCD 606] CD

Funk

Fela Ransome Kuti & Nigeria 70 - THE '69 LOS ANGELES SESSIONS (1969/1993) [Sterns 3005]
Terry Callier - WHAT COLOR IS LOVE? (1970) [Cadet MSM-37190]
The New Rotary Connection - HEY, LOVE (1970) [Cadet CC50006]
Funkadelic - FREE YOUR MIND AND YOUR ASS WILL FOLLOW (1970) [Westbound Records SEW012]
Parliament - OSMIUM (1970/1999) [Invictus/Sequel NEMLP997] also [2001, Sanctuary/Castle CMRCD339] CD with 7 great bonus tracks
Cymande - SECOND TIME ROUND (1973) [Janus JLS3054]
Magma - MERCI (1985) [Seventh Records REX3/Harmonia Mundi HMCD85] CD
Prince - THE BLACK ALBUM (1988) [Bootleg on Mr. X Records]
Young MC - KNOW HOW / THE FASTEST RHYME (1988) [Delicious Vinyl / Island 12BRW 120] 12"
Nobukazu Takemura & Spiritual Vibes - CHILD'S VIEW (1993) [Bellissima Records, Japan]
La Funk Mob - BREAKING BOUNDARIES, MESSING UP HEADS (1994) [Mo Wax MW023] 2x10"
{includes Richie Hawtin's stunning MOTOR BASS GET PHUNKED UP (Electrofunk remix)}
Tranquility Bass - CANTAMILLA {Issue No.1} (1994) [Exist Dance 012] EP

House

Cybotron (Juan Atkins) - CLEAR {remix by Jose "Animal" Diaz} (1983!) [Deep Space Music / Fantasy D-216] 12"
Ride The Rhythm - THIS AIN'T CHICAGO {acid not placid} (1988) [Club / Phonogram JABX72] 12"
Orange Lemon (Todd Terry) - THE TEXICAN / DREAMS OF SANTA ANNA (1988) [Idlers Records / Warlock WAR.018] EP
A Guy Called Gerald - VOODOO RAY (1989) [Rham Records RX8804] 12"
Underground Resistance - WORLD 2 WORLD (1991) [Underground Resistance UR020] EP
Cristian Vogel - WE EQUATE MACHINES WITH FUNKINESS (1994) [Mosquito MSQ001] EP
Cristian Vogel - ARTISTS IN CHARGE OF EXPERT SYSTEMS (1995) [Mosquito MSQ003] EP
Maurizio - M5 (1995) [M Series, Berlin] 12"
Various Artists - 1-7 (1995) [Chain Reaction CR-02] EP
Scotti Deep - BRAINIACK / S & M BEET DOWN / BROOKLYN BEATS (1994) [Henry Street Music HS168] EP
Abacus - EROTIC ILLUSIONS (1995) [Transmat / Fragile Records FRG12] 12"
Gemini - LE FUSION (1995) [Cajual Records CAJ226] 12"