The Shins- Wincing The Night Away Listen 
Definitely their most mature and diverse album, this record
is amazing in that there isn't a single bad second on it.
Nightmares
On Wax- DJ Kicks Listen
This is one of the finest eclectic
mixes of old school hiphop ever recorded. A few jazz and breaks
tracks are peppered in making for a great party album.
The
Whitest Boy Alive- Dreams Listen
This is the greatest album
I have ever heard. It's really stripped down and clean. I truly can't
stop listening to it. I could play "Done With You" and "figures" all
day, every day.
Wow, this
album is gorgeous. Very modern bossa sound but really diverse. If
you don't like it, you're wrong.
A
really good mix of chill-out by mostly female singers. Some really
great tracks on this one.
Nick Drake- Bryter Layter Listen
Brilliant folk
artist way ahead of his time. Thanks to Garden State and a Volkswagon
commercial people are aware of him again.
Max Graham- Transport
4 Listen
Killer progressive 2 disc set. Fantastic easy on the
ears driving on the highway album.
Fantastic
rock-lite album with catchy songs. Hard to describe but if you
like Death Cab you'll love this
Blossom Dearie- Give Him The
Ooh La La Listen
The most unique voice of all the legendary
female jazz vocalists.
Death Cab For Cutie- Plans Listen
Our favorite
album this year. A little quieter than their previous stuff and totally
accessible for anyone.
Awesome
mix of lighter, unique loungy house music. Warning- there is one really
dirty track but the rest is rated G.
Johnny Cash- American IV Listen
While
Johnny's earlier stuff is going to become REALLY popular, this might
be the best album he ever recorded.
Matthew Dear- Leave Luck
To Heaven Listen
Sparse electro drum & bass that
stops everyone in their tracks. I highly recommend this user-friendy
but unique record.
Astrud Gilberto- Beach Samba Listen
Daytime
summer bossanova by one of the greatest female voices
ever.
One of the best
albums in recent years and the best remake of a BeeGees
classic ever
Guru- Jazzmatazz Volume 1 Listen
Smooth
rap over modern jazz, one of the best hip hop albums of all time.
Massive
Attack- Protection Listen
Classic trip hop album that
everyone should own
Kings of Convenience- Riot On An Empty Street Listen
Jazzier folk but the real standout track is "The Buildup" with
Feist's beautiful vocals. Wow.
Really
cool album with electro, garage, pop, dance and her super-sexy accent
Jack
Johnson- On and On Listen
All his songs sound the same
but he definitely has the smooth, adult contemporary thing going on.
Stars-
Heart, and Set Yourself On Fire Listen
Our client Zerlina
turned us on to this canadian rock act and they are great. Both of
the above albums are alot of fun.
Ben Watt- Buzzin' Fly Volume
2 Listen
One of the best smooth house albums ever. Really
sexy.
Postal Service- Give Up Listen
A wonderful,
light pop album. Really unique and great.
Ministry of Sound-
Late Night Sessions Listen
Any of these albums are great-
alot of fun, party music with some really eclectic tracks
Retro
Remixed 2- Rare & Refashioned
Funky, cheezy euro mixes of Duran
Duran, New Order and others. Surprisingly decent and fun record.
Dean
Martin- On Reprise Listen
Frank and Tony Bennet are passe,
listen to Dean sing sexy french and latin- inspired tracks
Driving electronica that
never gets to be too much
Summer-y
jazz with an old school bossanova vocal vibe
Greasy, funky, fun party music that everyone
wants to know what it is when it's on
Tom Waits- Nighthawks
At The Diner Listen
Waits' gravel voice over old school
slow jazz. You can practically smell the smoke and alcohal
Very cool electronic album, kind
of mellow
Maceo Parker- Life on Planet Groove Listen
If
you like live funk, you probably already have and love this record
Neil
Diamond- Greatest Hits Listen
Kentucky Woman, Cherry Cherry,
Holly Holy- What else do you need out of a record
Black Eyed
Peas- Bridging the Gap Listen
Forget their newer sell-out
albums, this one thumps
Kings Of Convenience- Versus Listen
You
can't go wrong with any album from this acoustically driven folk-ish
group, but this remix album is really brilliant.
Miles Davis-
Kind Of Blue Listen
The most user friendly and arguably
greatest album Miles ever made
The
best down tempo album ever made
Kruder and Dorfmeister- The K&D
Sessions Listen
Classic down tempo 2 CD set with a bit
of a darker feel
Guru- Jazzmatazz Volume 3- Streetsoul Listen
Super
groovy hip-hop and jazz hybrid with Guru's smooth flow
