from Biggie and Jay-Z to Nas and Mobb Deep. Moreover, it introduced a colorful cast of hugely talented MCs, some of whom ranked among the best and most unique individual rappers of the decade. Some were outsized, theatrical personalities, others were cerebral storytellers and lyrical technicians, but each had his own distinctive style, which made for an album of tremendous variety and consistency. Every track on Enter the Wu-Tang is packed with fresh, inventive rhymes, which are filled with martial arts metaphors, pop culture references (everything from Voltron to Lucky Charms cereal commercials to Barbra Streisand's "The Way We Were"), bizarre threats of violence, and a truly twisted sense of humor. Their off-kilter menace is really brought to life, however, by the eerie, lo-fi production, which helped bring the raw sound of the underground into mainstream hip-hop. Starting with a foundation of hard, gritty beats and dialogue samples from kung fu movies, RZA kept things minimalistic, but added just enough minor-key piano, strings, or muted horns to create a background ambience that works like the soundtrack to a surreal nightmare. There was nothing like it in the hip-hop world at the time, and even after years of imitation, Enter the Wu-Tang still sounds fresh and original. Subsequent group and solo projects would refine and deepen this template, but collectively, the Wu have never been quite this tight again. SIDE A 1 2 3 4 5 6 Bring Da Ruckus Shame On a Nigga Clan In Da Front Wu-Tang: 7th Chamber Can It Be All So Simple / Intermission Protect Ya Neck / Intermission SIDE B 1 Da Mystery of Chessboxin' 2 Wu-Tang Clan Ain't Nuthing ta F' Wit 3 C.R.E.A.M. (Cash Rules Everything Around Me) 4 Method Man 5 Tearz 6 Wu-Tang: 7th Chamber - Part II

in 2014. Featuring a host of talented musicians, including JG Thirwell (aka Foetus, Manorexia and Steroid Maximus), Zeke Manyika (Orange Juice), electronic DIY pioneer Thomas Leer and Jools Holland, Matt Johnson set out with a clear vision in mind - to produce an album that felt cinematic; a record of width, depth and texture and one which avoided the mundane line-up of two guitars, bass and drums. Lauded with critical acclaim (“Soul Mining is a brilliant and very idiosyncratic album” – The Guardian ; "Like shaving lotion applied to cleanse a wound, Johnson’s songs are attractively scented and sting like hell” – Melody Maker) the music and lyrics of ‘Soul Mining’ are as fresh and relevant today as they were almost 40 years ago. SIDE A 1 2 3 4 I've Been Waitin' For Tomorrow (All Of My Life) This Is the Day The Sinking Feeling Uncertain Smile SIDE B 1 The Twilight Hour 2 Soul Mining 3 Giant

alt. rock artists that inspired them (Pavement, Silver Jews) can be heard, so too are the beginnings of something all their own – Matt Berninger’s stunning and unexpected lyrics being pinned to melodies that stop you in your tracks. For National Album Day 2022, the band are reissuing the album on limited white vinyl.

the album shuffles the track list and includes tracks from both versions to provide a comprehensive collection of songs from J-Lo’s early career. SIDE A 1 2 3 4 SIDE B 1 2 3 4 5 No Me Ames (Ballad Version) If You Had My Love Una Noche Más Should've Never Es Amor Open Off My Love Let's Get Loud It's Not That Serious Amar Es Para Siempre SIDE C 1 Too Late 2 El Deseo De Tu Amor 3 Talk About Us 4 Could This Be Love 5 Promise Me You'll Try SIDE D 1 No Me Ames (Tropical Remix) 2 Waiting for Tonight 3 Feelin' So Good (ft. Big Pun & Fat Joe 4 Baila 5 Theme From Mahagony (Do You Know Where You're Going To)

Remote Control 3 I'm so Bored with the U.S.A. 4 White Riot 5 Hate & War 6 What's My Name 7 Deny 8 London's Burning SIDE B 1 Career Opportunities 2 Cheat 3 Protex Blue 4 Police & Thieves 5 48 Hours 6 Garageland

about 'Illmatic''s brevity, but even if it leaves you wanting more, it's also one of the few '90s rap albums with absolutely no wasted space. 'Illmatic' reveals a great lyricist in top form meeting great production, and it remains a perennial favourite among serious hip-hop fans. SIDE A 1 2 3 4 5 The Genesis N.Y. State of Mind Life's a Bitch The World Is Yours Halftime SIDE B 1 Memory Lane (Sittin' in da Park) 2 One Love 3 One Time 4 Your Mind 4 Represent 5 It Ain't Hard to Tell

anthems as Hurt You, Take Me Away, Pieces (feat. Plan B) and the club banger Smash TV. Over a decade later More Than Alot is still a firm favourite amongst fans and is pressed in full for the first time on pink and black marble vinyl.

Takes Time”, “Someday”, and “I Don’t Wanna Cry” all topped the US singles chart, paving the way for Mariah Carey to become the solo artist with the most #1 singles in chart history. Issued on fabulous ‘Sheer Smoke’ vinyl for National Album Day, ‘Mariah Carey’ is a truly iconic debut album, which continues to inspire both singers and songwriters to this day. SIDE A SIDE B 1 Vision of Love 1 2 There's Got to Be a Way 2 3 I Don't Wanna Cry 3 4 Someday 4 5 Vanishing 5 All In Your Mind Alone In Love You Need Me Sent from Up Above Prisoner 6 Love Takes Time