A soul groove that reverberates with a choir of voices melting through every instrument. The album cover is a must-have and makes me want it for that reason alone. Favorite tracks: hard to choose! “Cisko Kid" (number one) because of its reggae sound that resonates with the overall concept; and number three, "City, Country, City," whose solos truly stay in your mind and almost seem to sing to you.

Well done, Stevie! Listening to this album lets me flow smoothly within the melodies. The rich arrangements combine elements of jazz, soul, Latin rhythms, and electronic touches like Moog synthesizers and drum machines. I love diversity! Standout tracks include the funky “Boogie On Reggae Woman” (track 4) and the album’s most famous song, track 8, “They Won’t Go When I Go.” I first encountered this song through George Michael’s 1990 cover. A curiosity: this is primarily a solo project, with Stevie playing nearly all the instruments himself. He is supported by a select group of guest artists and background vocalists, including Minnie Riperton, Paul Anka, Deniece Williams, and the Jackson 5.

Willie Nelson - Stardust (1978) A soft and profound voice that makes me drift into a relaxing mood. The sound of the harmonica feels very familiar to my ears. I get a nostalgic feeling every time I hear country music. Maybe I was a cowboy in another life. This is easy listening, so I enjoy it every time I choose to dive into a country mood. Willie Nelson is undoubtedly a master of the genre. My picks: "Georgia on My Mind," track number 2, although not an original song by Willie, is a beautiful version with a very soulful and heartfelt interpretation. It is not as famous as Ray Charles's rendition from the 1960s, but it stands out in its own way. Track number 8, "Moonlight in Vermont," is a classic song from the 1940s, and Willie Nelson’s rendition brought the classic to new audiences within the country genre. The harmonica is so cool.

I have to do a backward exercise, putting myself in the late 60s, and then I realize how this album would be one of the first to mix genres like country, rock, folk, blues, and so on. Some tracks feature distinctive storytelling and a musical style that defies genre boundaries. "The Weight," "I Shall Be Released," "The Long Black Veil," and "We Can Talk" offer different narratives that evoke emotional and social themes. "Tears of Rage" was co-written with Bob Dylan. In fact, The Band emerged as a distinct group after backing Bob Dylan on his 1966 tour. Finally, I'm not going to pick a favorite because what I really liked about this album was the rich vocal harmonies, versatile instrumentation, and the mix of genres. A curiosity: The album includes the iconic song "The Weight" (track number 5), which gained greater popularity after The Band’s performance at Woodstock and its inclusion in the film "Easy Rider." Wow!

Janis Joplin’s powerful lead vocals take the listening experience to a whole new level. The backing vocals add a beautiful color to the songs, and of course, the piano and guitars are everywhere, filling each track with pure energy. It’s a true classic of rock music. That wild spirit runs through all her performances, and track number 4, “Piece of My Heart,” is one of those songs everyone from a certain generation recognizes instantly. It became a major hit single. Track number 2, “I Need a Man to Love,” hits you right away — what an entrance! Then there’s “Summertime” (track 3), where Joplin takes the Gershwin classic and turns it into pure, aching soul. Nobody could pour emotion into a song the way she did. For anyone curious, the album feels like a live show, but only “Ball and Chain” came from a real performance. The rest of the tracks had audience sounds added later to create that same raw, concert-like vibe. And the album cover deserves a mention too. It was designed by American cartoonist R. Crumb, who became famous for his iconic character Fritz the Cat. This album was the band’s last work with her. Her solo career would bring us a handful of great songs and unforgettable albums. To me, Janis Joplin represents emotional intensity and rebellion. Say no more — the album is fantastic, and she remains one of the greatest of all time.

This was my first time listening to Ananda Shankar’s self-titled 1970 album, and what a fascinating experience it was! Ananda masterfully blends Indian music—especially the sitar—with Western rock and electronic influences. The album is largely instrumental, featuring sitar, percussion, and the Moog synthesizer, creating a unique fusion of Indian classical sounds with psychedelic rock and funk. Standout tracks include vibrant covers of The Rolling Stones’ “Jumpin’ Jack Flash” and The Doors’ “Light My Fire,” alongside original compositions like “Metamorphosis” and the epic 13-minute, raga-inspired “Sagar (The Ocean).” If I had to pick a favorite, it would be track number 3, “Light My Fire,” which I found particularly captivating. Here’s a fun fact: the album was originally intended to be a collaboration with the guitar legend Jimi Hendrix. The two even jammed together in Los Angeles before Ananda decided to record the album on his own, wanting the music to fully reflect his personal artistic vision rather than a joint project. If you’re curious about a pioneering blend of East and West in music, this album is a must-listen!

One of my favorite voices of all time! I have so much respect for her generation and for how she inspired young women across the world of music. Every song on this album carries a voice that deserves to be heard and a message meant to make a statement. Some tracks are calls to action (“Respect”), others are love songs, and yes, there are songs about passion too. Favorite track? “Respect.” It’s more than a song—it’s a statement. And “A Change Is Gonna Come”? Almost perfect. A bit of fascinating trivia: two years after Otis Redding originally released “Respect,” Aretha put her own spin on it — rearranging, reinterpreting, and ultimately transforming it. Her version didn’t just top charts; it became her defining hit and a rallying cry for feminism’s second wave throughout the 1970s.

The first track sets the mood for the rest of the album. The brutal “Kill You” makes you feel uneasy, as if what Eminem says might actually be true. I really hope that when he claims at the end of the song that he’s “just playin’ with the ladies,” he means it! Its intensity continues with the fabulous duet with Dido, “Stan” — arguably one of the most beloved hip-hop songs of all time. The track holds deep meaning for Eminem. The album aims to be a bold statement against everyone who disliked his work, his life, or doubted his talent. Besides his raw and often controversial language — which, by the way, drew attention from Lynne Cheney, the Second Lady of the United States from 2001 to 2009 — she even called for age restrictions on music sales after citing lyrics from “Kill You.” Despite all the noise and controversy, I really loved the production. The collaborations speak for themselves — featuring icons like Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre. Curiosity: The word “Stan” eventually entered the Oxford English Dictionary as a noun. It’s defined as ‘an overzealous or obsessive fan of a particular celebrity.’ When used as a verb, it means to be an enthusiastic fan — as in saying, ‘I really stan this artist.’ Look it up!

One of my favourite bands and albums from my youth! I started listening to U2 after discovering songs like “With or Without You” and “Where the Streets Have No Name.” I would justify it because of the American and Irish roots music and the atmosphere that it provides, which deeply resonates with me. I feel emotionally connected to this album, so it’s difficult to give an objective review. First, because I really love all the tracks. If I had to choose one that I like a bit less, it would probably be “In God’s Country” (track 7). If I had to pick favourites, I’d say I’ve always had a special connection with “Running to Stand Still.” And for sheer intensity, track 10, “Exit,” is both brutal and cathartic. Do you know those songs that sometimes pop into your mind and you start singing them? From this album, I have three: “Running to Stand Still,” “With or Without You,” and “Where the Streets Have No Name.” It’s a record for the ages! Today, I have to be honest, I don’t listen to U2 anymore. After 2000’s “All That You Can’t Leave Behind,” I kind of got into other sounds, and to me, they seemed more of the same and less creative. But good memories come from this one. I would give it 6 stars on review if I could. All emotions!

I confess I’ve never listened to a complete album by this band. The first song I heard from The Beta Band was “Squares,” from their 2001 record Hot Shots II. It wasn’t bad, but it was just one song — good vibe, soft mood. Heroes to Zeros has a great cover — that was the first thing I noticed. So cool. From what I’ve read, it was designed by a comic book writer and artist named Kaare Andrews. It looks great on a shelf. The tracks are quite versatile, but I can’t really say that I’ll get hooked on their sound or feel the urge to replay it. “Outside” (track 7) reminds me a lot of the Beatles. It’s truly an eclectic album. This was their last record, produced by Nigel Godrich, who also worked with Radiohead — that should mean something, right? One detail I really appreciated is that “Liquid Bird” (track 10) samples “Painted Bird,” a song by the iconic band Siouxsie and the Banshees. I won’t pick any favorites, because as I said, it’s not an album I’ll likely revisit.

The first thing I noticed is that all the songs are under three minutes! They really used to be much shorter back in the day. It has such a peculiar 60s sound. They really got their mix right — a blend of rock, pop, and even a touch of country that vibes all around. The opening track, “You Told Me,” sounds a lot like The Beatles, with those banjo riffs and that bassline. Then we fly to Texas (or somewhere close!) with those warm harmonies on track two, “I’ll Spend My Life with You.” So good! From there, the album moves between more melancholic moments and upbeat tracks with narrative lyrics that make for a very pleasant listen. And that’s it — I’ll definitely be exploring more of their discography. For me, this is pure sixties!