Each record comes with a few lines on why it earns a spin. Find one that sounds like you, hit play, and stash the keepers in your crate.

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01Like It Should Be by Extra Prolific
No. 01

Like It Should Be

Extra Prolific
1994 · Oakland, CAOakland
West Coast Hip Hop
Oakland rap built on thick funk bass and drums that sit low in the mix. The rhymes are laid-back but sharp, riding the beat instead of fighting it. Samples pull from P-funk and soul, giving the whole thing a loose, live-band feel. It's a record that rewards a good subwoofer and a slow afternoon.
Oakland rap built on thick funk bass and drums that sit low in the mix. The rhymes are laid-back but sharp, riding the beat instead of fighting it. Samples pull from P-funk and soul, giving the whole thing a loose, live-band feel. It's a record that rewards a good subwoofer and a slow afternoon.
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02We Are Monster by Isolée
No. 02

We Are Monster

Isolée
2005 · Frankfurt, GermanyFrankfurt
Minimal Techno
Minimal techno that never feels cold — there's always a stray melody or texture working underneath the beat. Tracks build slowly, adding small variations instead of big drops, so you notice details on the third or fourth listen. The bass is round, the percussion clicks and shuffles, and nothing overstays its welcome. Good for late nights when you want movement without noise.
Minimal techno that never feels cold — there's always a stray melody or texture working underneath the beat. Tracks build slowly, adding small variations instead of big drops, so you notice details on the third or fourth listen. The bass is round, the percussion clicks and shuffles, and nothing overstays its welcome. Good for late nights when you want movement without noise.
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03Synthèse by Pépé Bradock
No. 03

Synthèse

Pépé Bradock
2004 · Paris, FranceParis
Deep House
Deep house with a crate-digger's ear — chopped samples, warped keys, and drums that swing just enough. Bradock keeps the arrangements loose, letting loops breathe instead of locking everything to a grid. There's a rawness to the low end that gives the tracks weight on a big system. It plays like a DJ set more than a straight album, and that's the point.
Deep house with a crate-digger's ear — chopped samples, warped keys, and drums that swing just enough. Bradock keeps the arrangements loose, letting loops breathe instead of locking everything to a grid. There's a rawness to the low end that gives the tracks weight on a big system. It plays like a DJ set more than a straight album, and that's the point.
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04Fyuti by Bola
No. 04

Fyuti

Bola
2001 · Bristol, UKBristol
IDM
IDM that leans more on texture than melody — glitchy percussion, granular synths, and rhythms that shift without warning. It's dense but never harsh, more like listening to machines think out loud. Repeated plays reveal small rhythmic details buried in the mix. Headphones do this one justice.
IDM that leans more on texture than melody — glitchy percussion, granular synths, and rhythms that shift without warning. It's dense but never harsh, more like listening to machines think out loud. Repeated plays reveal small rhythmic details buried in the mix. Headphones do this one justice.
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05Jet Sounds by Nicola Conte
No. 05

Jet Sounds

Nicola Conte
2000 · Bari, ItalyBari
Nu Jazz
Smooth nu jazz built on bossa rhythms, brushed drums, and vibraphone that floats over everything. Conte arranges like he's thinking about a film score — strings enter at just the right moment, horns punctuate without overplaying. It moves easily from lounge to groove without losing its cool. Good for a slow evening with a drink in hand.
Smooth nu jazz built on bossa rhythms, brushed drums, and vibraphone that floats over everything. Conte arranges like he's thinking about a film score — strings enter at just the right moment, horns punctuate without overplaying. It moves easily from lounge to groove without losing its cool. Good for a slow evening with a drink in hand.
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06Reflections in the Sea of Nurnen by Doug Hammond
No. 06

Reflections in the Sea of Nurnen

Doug Hammond
1975 · New York, NYNew York
Spiritual Jazz
Spiritual jazz driven by Hammond's own drumming — loose, conversational, always pushing the band forward. The horns stretch out over long vamps, and the whole record has a searching, unhurried quality. It doesn't chase hooks; it builds mood through repetition and space. Patience pays off here.
Spiritual jazz driven by Hammond's own drumming — loose, conversational, always pushing the band forward. The horns stretch out over long vamps, and the whole record has a searching, unhurried quality. It doesn't chase hooks; it builds mood through repetition and space. Patience pays off here.
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07Dark of Light by Norman Connors
No. 07

Dark of Light

Norman Connors
1973 · Philadelphia, PAPhiladelphia
Spiritual Jazz
A spiritual jazz record with real vocal presence — Dee Dee Bridgewater and Carlos Garnett both leave their mark. Connors keeps the rhythm section tight while the arrangements drift into open, cosmic territory. The mix of soul phrasing and jazz structure gives it a warmth that's easy to sit with. It rewards a full front-to-back listen.
A spiritual jazz record with real vocal presence — Dee Dee Bridgewater and Carlos Garnett both leave their mark. Connors keeps the rhythm section tight while the arrangements drift into open, cosmic territory. The mix of soul phrasing and jazz structure gives it a warmth that's easy to sit with. It rewards a full front-to-back listen.
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08Right Time by The Mighty Diamonds
No. 08

Right Time

The Mighty Diamonds
1976 · Kingston, JamaicaKingston
Reggae
Roots reggae with three-part harmonies riding over a rockers rhythm section that never lets up. The bass leads, the drums lock in tight, and the vocals stay smooth even when the lyrics get political. Every track feels built for a sound system — heavy but never sloppy. It's one of those records where the groove does most of the talking.
Roots reggae with three-part harmonies riding over a rockers rhythm section that never lets up. The bass leads, the drums lock in tight, and the vocals stay smooth even when the lyrics get political. Every track feels built for a sound system — heavy but never sloppy. It's one of those records where the groove does most of the talking.
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09Africa Must Be Free by 1983 by Hugh Mundell
No. 09

Africa Must Be Free by 1983

Hugh Mundell
1978 · Kingston, JamaicaKingston
Dub Reggae
Deep dub reggae with a young, clear voice riding over some of the heaviest bass of the era. Augustus Pablo's production keeps the echo and delay tasteful, letting the rhythm section carry the weight. The mood stays reflective throughout, more meditation than protest anthem. Turn it up and let the low end fill the room.
Deep dub reggae with a young, clear voice riding over some of the heaviest bass of the era. Augustus Pablo's production keeps the echo and delay tasteful, letting the rhythm section carry the weight. The mood stays reflective throughout, more meditation than protest anthem. Turn it up and let the low end fill the room.
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10Naturally by Marcia Griffiths
No. 10

Naturally

Marcia Griffiths
1978 · Kingston, JamaicaKingston
Lovers Rock
Lovers rock with a voice that carries real weight — smooth, controlled, never oversung. The rhythms stay gentle and steady, built for close listening rather than the dancehall. Horns and keys fill in around the vocals without crowding them. It's a record for quiet rooms and late conversations.
Lovers rock with a voice that carries real weight — smooth, controlled, never oversung. The rhythms stay gentle and steady, built for close listening rather than the dancehall. Horns and keys fill in around the vocals without crowding them. It's a record for quiet rooms and late conversations.
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11A Tábua de Esmeralda by Jorge Ben
No. 11

A Tábua de Esmeralda

Jorge Ben
1974 · Rio de Janeiro, BrazilRio de Janeiro
MPB
Samba rock with a mystical streak — Ben's guitar drives everything while strings and percussion swirl around him. The grooves are loose but locked in, built for movement more than close analysis. Lyrics mix alchemy and street life without ever sounding forced. It's one of those Brazilian records that just keeps giving on repeat plays.
Samba rock with a mystical streak — Ben's guitar drives everything while strings and percussion swirl around him. The grooves are loose but locked in, built for movement more than close analysis. Lyrics mix alchemy and street life without ever sounding forced. It's one of those Brazilian records that just keeps giving on repeat plays.
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12Lô Borges by Lô Borges
No. 12

Lô Borges

Lô Borges
1972 · Belo Horizonte, BrazilBelo Horizonte
Brazilian
Melodic Brazilian psych-pop from the Clube da Esquina crew, full of unexpected chord turns and soft, layered vocals. The arrangements shift constantly — acoustic guitar into strings into brief electric bursts — but it never feels cluttered. There's a youthful, exploratory energy running through the whole thing. It sounds like a group of friends discovering ideas in real time.
Melodic Brazilian psych-pop from the Clube da Esquina crew, full of unexpected chord turns and soft, layered vocals. The arrangements shift constantly — acoustic guitar into strings into brief electric bursts — but it never feels cluttered. There's a youthful, exploratory energy running through the whole thing. It sounds like a group of friends discovering ideas in real time.
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