7 best albums of 7 genres of music - for a hotel

also, is "let there be rock" the best ac/dc selection possible? i wanted to avoid back in black and highway to hell, too standard.

Old 97s' Fight Songs?

That's a few years old, but I was just conversating about them.

Maybe the White Stripes' Icky Thump.

Also, I would sub Metal Machine Music for The Joshua Tree. But I guess that depends on what city the hotel is in.

Depending on city, I would sub ANYTHING ELSE for The Joshua Tree.

I was thinking about something White Stripes too. Elephant could be a really good choice.

ha ha, i actually like metal machine music, they used to have an actual original vinyl pressing at wxyc when i worked there. and naturally i'm expecting, even eagerly anticipating, similar suggestions. but seriously! for some strange reason i really want to get this right. the hotel is in bali (thus the surf album)

so i like fight songs, that's just the kind of thing i was thinking of (i've never heard it till now but the amazon samples sound good) icky thump's probably a bit too hard, though get behind me satan might work, maybe. i'll pull out elephant while i'm at it.

also i'd love to hear comments and suggestions re: the other selections i've made so far - if you think i could have picked a much better roberta flack album etc etc or post your own! here's my lists as they stand now:

country:

1. the louvin brothers: tragic songs of life
2. lonesome fugative/branded man - merle haggard
3. honky tonk heroes - waylon jennings
4. luxury liner - emmylou harris
5. desperado - the eagles
6. the grass is blue - dolly parton
7. i hope you dance - lee ann womack <---token new country, perhaps there's a better choice for that?

r&b:

1. issac hayes: black moses
2. sam cooke - night beat
3. motown cassics: gold
4. roberta flack - first take
5. stevie wonder - hotter than july
6. mary j blige - the breakthrough
7. solange - sol-angel and the etc etc <--- is this actually any good? i wanted something a bit upbeat

pop:

1. beach boys - pet sounds
2. pure 80's - va
3. sade - love deluxe
4. amy winehouse - back to black
5. alicia keys - as i am
6. justin - futuresex/lovesounds
7. now that's what i call music vol 70

not 100% convinced on the justin and alicia though

jazz:

1. oliver nelson - the blues and the abstract truth
2. julie london - time for love
3. miles - in a silent way
4. nova bossa - red hot on verve - va
5. night and day: the cole porter songbook - va
6. frank sinatra - sinatra-basie
7. duke ellington - far east suite (hotel is in asia after all :)

classical:

1. john williams - j.s. bach lute suites
2. lucia di lammermoor - highlights
3. debussy - preludes, images, children's corner
4. rodrigo - concierto de aranjuez
5. great performances series - pachelbel's canon/baroque favorites
6. italian harp music (i've only heard the samples of this but it's very pretty)
7. takemitsu - i hear the water dreaming <---- except they wont ship it overseas so i need something similarly modern (post 80's) and mildly experimental, but not screeching. otherwise i'm going with copeland - appalacian spring

chill out:

they already have a bunch of chill out they want me to use, but i think i'm going to insist they shell out for:

1. klf - chill out
2. no protection - massive attack vs. mad professor
3. ulrich schnauss - far away trains passing buy
4. bargrooves - summer sessions <---i don't have this but i want it, unless it's substandard to their other comps

Maybe another new country instead of the Eagles? In a Silent Way and Night Beat A+++++ would stay again.

"In a Silent Way and Night Beat A+++++ would stay again."

thanks, that's the reaction i'm lookin for! ideally i'd like to be getting that kind of love on every selection - do you have a country album in mind you think is as interesting, universal, and classic yet unexpected as those two? i actually know pretty much nothing whatsoever about country music, and cribbed that whole section from ILM posts.

watch it on the eagles comments though, don't make me kick you out of my taxi! but yeah, u2 and eagles were attempts at the obvious-but-quality angle.

I'd got for Let It Bleed over Beggars Banquet.

Country... maybe try Gillian Welch's Time (The Revelator)?

For Chill Out, I know you're already burdened down with suggestions, but at work the single record I got the most "wow, what's this?" questions about was Drive By by The Necks - it's one hour-long ambient jazz groove jam...

For country universality, you can't go wrong with The Patsy Cline Story. And/or a Lyle Lovett record.

Right, not going to read this thread, just going to pick first one(s) off the top of my head...

country: The last of the Flying Burrito's - Burrito Brothers
r&b: Sly and the Family Stone's Greatest Hits
pop: Odessey and Oracle - The Zombies
jazz: Jumping Jive - Joe Jackson (sorry)
classical: The Rites of Spring
chill out: Beaucoup Fish - Underworld.

OK. Bearing in mind your brief, I'd go with these:

Jazz: Sketches of Spain - Miles Davis
Classical: Complete String Quartets - Beethoven
R&B: Inspiration Information - Shuggie Otis
Rock: Raising Sand - Robert Plant/Alison Krauss
Pop: Robyn - Robyn
Chill Out: Where You Go I Go Too - Lindstrom
Country: Grievous Angel - Gram Parsons

You may be expecting esoteric answers, but you need Rumours on there somewhere.

What seven albums would you choose to play when kicking a drunk woman out for calling your gay coworker a fag?

"There goes the neighborhood" Joe Walsh?

you rekon gram parsons trumps merle haggard or waylon jennings? considering he's semi-represented already on that emmylou harris album?

thomas i'm not really looking for super esoteric answers - a smidgen of obscurity is ok, but actually i'm mostly looking for mainstream but super extra high quality. rumours isn't a bad idea either, in fact most of these are right in line with what i'm going for. some of these (sketches of spain, sly's greatest hits, let it bleed, patsy cline story) i strongly considered, but chose something else that i didn't actually have already - or had but lost at some point - and wanted to add to my collection!

for sure gillian welch is going on the country list. the zombies i think i may soulseek tonight for myself, this is the second time in recent memory someone's recommended them so i need to check them out if nothing else... any other suggetstions? i feel like that last rock spot is still up for grabs, but do you guys concur on my other rock choices? what should i replace u2 with then? i do feel like, of all the collections, the rock is the most boring and obvious. but i honestly love the joshua tree you know, it's eno's most eno-esque rock production i think. or his ambient-est anyway.

Chill out should include Kruder & Dorfmeister's K & D Sessions and Orbital's In Sides (maybe a bit dancey, but it chills me out).

Replace u2 with Peter Gabriel, obv

I like Electric Ladyland, but it doesn't seem like the most accessible choice. Are You Experienced? or a comp might work better as a Hendrix selection.

Maybe Led Zeppelin IV or Physical Graffiti?

Seems like the rock list needs some generic/canonic 80s and 90s stuff, too.

which peter gabriel?

the indonesian percussionist in my band was blown away by orbital, it inspired him to borrow some of my equipment and start dabbling in electronic music.

led zepplin is still in the running for the rock list but i was leaning more towards houses of the holy - i feel like IV is played out a bit. same with are you experienced which is why i went for electric ladyland, even though i'm not THAT familiar with the album. i 100% agree on the lack of 80's and 90's on the rock list, joshua tree seems more like it's own thing but i'm really drawing a blank for that period - in the 80's i was listening to dead kennedies or the pixies, 90's was like rave rave rave 24/7, and snoop dogg.

i know i'm pouncing on answers, i gotta hand the list/links over tomorrow afternoon.

I'd chuck Master of Puppets into the rock list.

I'd definitely second chap's recommendation of In Sides.

maybe In The Aeroplane Over The Sea somewhere?
Also one of the Prince best-ofs (decide for yourself whether Pop or R&B or Rock...)

a bit heavy on the sexy-time music (what are most couples gonna be spending most of their time doing in their hotel rooms on vacation after all?

I recall last time the sexxxoring music question was asked on ILX the consensus was "LSD and Loveless"

it killed me not to put prince on the pop section but i went for the 80's compilation in the end - it's a great compilation. i still have time to change my mind though. you wouldn't even need to do a greatest hits (anyway the best one's like 3 cd's isn't it?) you could just chuck purple rain in and leave it at that.

if i'm gonna drop tabs and make sexytime, it's evol or nothing.

actually i REALLY wanted to put the glider ep on here, but i'm pretty sure the 40-somethings from perth would probably complain to the management (the retired japanese couples would be too polite to mention it)

hmmm, japanese couples... you know what would make a good rock collection? lift every rock album mentioned in the first 5 murakami novels - there, done.

you need some Elvis if that's your audience.

true. what's the best elvis album? his first maybe? i've only got his greatest hits, which i feel is a pretty boring choice. he surely must have something really amazing beyond greatest hits somewhere in his catalogue.

apparently it's the japanese guests who are clamoring for country music.

you might wish to include some more contemporary classical, or something a little less grating and hackneyed than pachelbel's canon. few people who decide to listen to a classical selection @ their hotel are gonna be anything other than annoyed to find that in the selection. try something stringy & atmospheric in its place: energetic but not (as you suggest) grating.

good choices might be

Brahms Piano Quartet #1 in G minor
Ravel Introduction et Allegro for Harp, Flute, Clarinet and Strings
Mendelssohn Octet in E Minor

that great performances baroque collection is a real gem though, i have it on vynil back in america. the obvious cuts on it are really interesting and unique (the version of pachelbel's canon is unlike any other i've heard, WAY less sugary than usual, the albioni is more haunting than any i've heard elsewhere, etc) and the tracks where they had some leeway to choose are all absolutely gorgeous gems from the period you dont always hear.

do you think solo harp is too new age here? the harp pieces are all off a barouque harp cd by naxos, it appears they're all relatively obscure pieces from lesser known italian composers, written specifically for solo harp (or duet). and the samples sound lush.

i admit with both of those choices i'm worried the classical snobs will turn their noses up. the truth is i want those cds for myself!

hah, fair. maybe i'd suggest you to do an either/or w/r/t #5 and #6. really, you can only benefit from adding something chambery.

i need a very recent, slightly edgy but still accesible band with a frikkin great album, start to finish.

Radiohead would probably fit the bill, as would quite a few middlebrow indie-ish bands that most ILXors would probably be too embarrassed to recommend.

Stories From The City etc by PJ Harvey for the rock choice.

Maybe The Soft Bulletin.

Best of Blur...

For rock, just use the Acclaimed Music list and disregard those albums in the Top 20-30 that you don't consider to be rock.

www.acclaimedmusic.net

Counting Beatles and Beach Boys as pop rather than rock (really, both are way closer to pop!) the list might look something like this:

Nevermind - Nirvana
The Velvet Underground & Nico - The Velvet Underground
Blonde On Blonde - Bob Dylan
Exile On Main Street - Rolling Stones
Nevermind The Bollocks - Sex Pistols
London Calling - The Clash
Are You Experienced - Jimi Hendrix Experience

If "Pet Sounds" and "Revolver" aren't in your pop list (they should!), then remove The Clash and Jimi Hendrix from the rock list and put those two albums there instead.

(Note: I only included one album per artist, and "What's Going On" is obviously not counting as rock)

How exactly would you describe the difference between rock and pop, Geir?

you really shouldn't bother asking him those kinds of questions

How exactly would you describe the difference between rock and pop, Geir?

Rock is riff/blues based with rather rough edges while pop is melody based with considerably smoother edges.

And, importantly, R&B is neither.

2. pure 80's - va

I wouldn't say a compilation would fit in. If you want to include some 80s pop, "Thriller" is the one. Or alternatively "Lexicon Of Love" or "Dare".

3. sade - love deluxe
5. alicia keys - as i am
6. justin - futuresex/lovesounds

These are R&B rather than pop

7. now that's what i call music vol 70

This is a mixture of a zillion genres, plus very few of the tracks are likely to survive and become part of the pop canon.

According to Acclaimed Music, the pop list should be:

1. Pet Sounds
2. Revolver
3. Sign "O" The Times - Prince (More pop than R&B)
4. Thriller - Michael Jackson (arguably, but as opposed to the very rhythmically oriented Justin Timberlake and Alicia Keys, this one is more pop than R&B)
5. Blue - Joni Mitchell (It's surely not rock)
6. Forever Changes - Love
7. Rumours - Fleetwood Mac

Surely "ABBA Gold" may also be an alternative. And perhaps some Madonna although there is no truly representative compilation by her.

Also, one might debate which Stevie Wonder album fits in, but would say not "Hotter Than July". "Innervisions", "Songs In The Key Of Life" or "Talking Book" would all be more natural picks.

I definitely support the inclusion of The Zombies 'odessey and oracle' and Robert Plant and Alison Krauss' "Raising Sand". Both albums are sexy, upbeat and pretty accesible. It's two of the few albums both my parents and my friends enjoy.

On the jazz section I'd suggest Yusef Lateef's 'Eastern Sounds' and anything by Nina Simone or better yet, anything by Billie Holiday, she's got a great reputation in between asian jazz enthusiasts.

I'd also suggest adding something by 'The Beatles' as well, probably Revolver... there's something on that album to please everyone and pretty much everyone knows who they are and are likely to be very happy to find a Beatles album on their room.

If I'd be allowed to make a personal recommendation, rather than a global one I'd be extremely happy to find a copy of Velvet Underground's 'Loaded'. Such a beautiful album to listen at bed.

One question: Is it allowed to tell me how much are they paying you for this? I was once contacted through mail by a somewhat popular NYC hotel asking me to make compilations for their lobby but I didn't know how much money should I ask for the effort.

Pop: Hunky Dory.

Also: remove alicia keys and substitute for Lykke Li's debut, for something a tad more contemporary much more fun and immediatly adorable. I find alicia closer to r&b than to pop anyways.

right, i'll keep the harp then, and swap the pachelbel for Brahms Piano Quartet #1 in G minor - i'm a sucker for quartets (and 4 Ballades Op.10 - No.1 in D minor on the second half of the cd sounds nice too)

ummm, i'm considering swapping the quietly odd takemitsu modern classical cd for... well... yo yo ma and bobby mcferrin - hush. stop me if that's a stupid idea :/ but only if you've actually heard it, it's actually a pleasantly unique little modern album, really. even my classical snob parents love it.

the rock list currently looks like this:

1. beatles - let it be (best sexytime-ish beatles?)
2. u2 - joshua tree
3. steve miller - greatest hits 74-78
4. surfin hits - va (rhino)
5. London Calling - The Clash
6. highway to hell - ac/dc
7. radiohead - kid a (or rainbows?)

i'm struggling to find a place for velvet underground and nico, but i'm NOT kicking off joshua tree!

If I'd be allowed to make a personal recommendation, rather than a global one I'd be extremely happy to find a copy of Velvet Underground's 'Loaded'. Such a beautiful album to listen at bed.

I, being no fan of them really, prefer "Loaded", but it may be argued that from a "rock" viewpoint, "Velvet Underground & Nico" is a bit more "radical" (and still not quite as frightening and extreme as the even more radical "White Light White Heat")

As for Bowie, I kind of skipped him, maybe counting him as "rock" because "Ziggy Stardust" was the highest ranked at AM. But I can second "Hunky Dory" as a natural pop pick.

"Let It Be" is the WORST Beatles album!!!!!

Also, in terms of accessible jazz, you really need to include some Dave Brubeck. Time Out is perfect oldpeople sexytime music.

Also "Sketches Of Spain" may work even better in a "muzak" context than "In a Silent Way".

It would be awesome if you could sneak some token prog into the rock collection as well. Maybe The Yes Album?

The best prog album in a "muzak" context would be "Wind And Wuthering" by Genesis.

Random Rock Picks:

Pink Floyd - Meedle
(Easiest pink floyd album on the ears and a fan favorite, makes for good bedroom listening)
Santana - The best of Santana (1998)
(Classic rock radio stapple and very sexy)
Rolling Stones - Hot Rocks 1964-1971
(Compilations are the way to go to keep every fan happy)
Lynyrd Skynyrd -Pronounced Leh-Nerd Skin-Nerd
(Have to tuck american southern rock somewhere in there)
Robert Plant & Robert Krauss - Raising Sand
(Convincing and sexy dad rock)
Velvet Underground - Loaded
(As I've stated before this is one of my favorites for bed listening)

If including a Beatles album on the rock section, scrap 'let it be' because it's not really sexy and not very good compared to their other albums. I'd still recommend Rubber Soul or Revolver over that one.

If The Beatles = rock then obviously "Revolver". If The Beatles=pop then "Sgt. Pepper" may be more representative.

pop:

1. beach boys - pet sounds
2. michael jackson - off the wall
3. pure 80's - va
4. sade - love deluxe
5. madonna - music
6. amy winehouse - back to black

7. now that's what i call music vol 70

"This is a mixture of a zillion genres, plus very few of the tracks are likely to survive and become part of the pop canon."

yeah but if they what they want is pop, surely that means what many of them will want is what's on the radio right now? that robyn - robyn album sounds fantastic, but it's got a song with a robot stewardess prepaing the audience to crash and burn in their plane! but i'm gonna download it for myself.

"Let It Be" is the WORST Beatles album!!!!!"

i admit it's not their best but it's far from their worst, i rank it fairly highly personally. and which beatle album is sexyer? .....you know, if i put the new eno-produced coldplay for the naughties album i could maybe bring myself to replace u2 with... ELVIS! what's elvises best album? does elvis have a great sexytime album? he must.

ok:

1. elvis - some sexytime elvis album. any suggestions?
2. surfin hits - va (rhino)
3. beatles - sgt. pepper
4. steve miller - greatest hits 74-78

5. something for the ladies

6. highway to hell - ac/dc
7. coldplay - viva la vida

"One question: Is it allowed to tell me how much are they paying you for this? I was once contacted through mail by a somewhat popular NYC hotel asking me to make compilations for their lobby but I didn't know how much money should I ask for the effort."

moka, they're paying me a whopping 2 million rupiah which converts to about 200 bucks. one one hand, for the sheer amount of time i've put in to bookmarking amazon and whatnot, i could probably have asked for more. on the other hand, it's actually turning out to be a pretty painless, even enjoyable freelance job. though i'd certainly be interested to know what the market would bear for such a job if they wanted me to do it again in the future!

5. something for the ladies

= Raising Sand - Alison Krauss, Robert Plant

arcade fire - funeral

ok, i need something rockier from the naughties to replace coldplay, but it has to be produced by eno.

1. elvis - some sexytime elvis album. any suggestions?

The Cramps - A Date With Elvis ;-)

Coldplay as token contemporary rock album is defensible (though it does nothing for me).
I'd rather pick Automatic for the People.

timberlake is necessary. also aaliyah's s/t album. what about ys? kala? voodoo?

xxpost naughties eno production jobs not much else besides u2 i think (if we're talking albums)

well, surely all of u2's albums don't suck? alright, i guess it doesn't absolutely have to be eno.

elvis - Blue Hawaii. is it any good? i can't hear samples so i can't tell if it's brilliant or cheesy. it's that or Love, Elvis, which looks like a pretty swooney love songs collection....

the cover of love, elvis shows him LICKING a girl, which gets it massive bonus points.

actually the elvis compilation is GREAT

Blue Hawaii = pretty meh. From Elvis in Memphis is pretty great.

I'd honestly ditch the Beatles altogether from your rock list, and replace them with Raising Sand. Rumours also needs to be on there somewhere. Stevie Wonder is a good idea, but not Hotter Than July - go with Innervisions or Songs In The Key Of Life. Alternatively, pick an Earth Wind & Fire Best Of...

Jazz picks: you can't go wrong with one of the Ella Fitzgerald Songbooks, and if you're going Blue Note then I'd suggest Lee Morgan (or a good all-purpose comp).

Elvis would almost belong in an "Old rock" category.

Other than that, he was a singles artist and "1" is the obvious pick.

good work, everyone

yes indeed, thatk's for all the great input so far!

"Also, one might debate which Stevie Wonder album fits in, but would say not "Hotter Than July". "Innervisions", "Songs In The Key Of Life" or "Talking Book" would all be more natural picks."

yeah, in a way i agree but hotter than july is an underrated classic, all the songs are great, and it's got a nice "good for hot weather" vibe. plus, i don't have a copy myself

but i feel like i still need that last 200* rock album. current criteria: upbeat alternative pop-charting, rockin. something like the killers maybe? or one of their peers?

Maybe the first Strokes album for your new millenium rock album? Or that Jimmy Eat World album?

ElvisThe Beatles would almost belong in an "Old rock" category.

Other than that, hethey waswere a singles artist and "1" is the obvious pick.

-- Geir Hongro, Monday, 1 September 2008 23:00 (Yesterday) Link

Choose Jimmy Eat World if you want to brag about your complete lack of taste.

If you really need a 00's album I'd say go for 'in rainbows'.

Lee Morgan is a great shout. Get The Sidewinder.

Sexiest album I own is Cassidy by Bows, which could be either rock / r'n'b or probably something else.

Innervisions is a must.

The ladies likes them some Camera Obscura.

Oh and please consider Gas - Konigsforst for the chillout selection.

That is all.

btw i distinctly DON'T want this to come across as "muzak"-y, even though technically this stuff is sorta filling the same roles as the muzak corporation's output - accessible, easy on the ears etc that's one of the reasons i chose in a silent way over sketches of spain for instance - both are pretty and easy to listen to, but in a silent way has just that touch of edge while even jazz fans in the 50's though sketches was a bit wimpy...

got a good idea for the 00's album: jack johnson - in between dreams. i suppose the critics hate him? he's quite popular amongst the asian backpacker/surf crowd, with good crossover appeal to the oldsters. i kinda like him myself, even.

it IS kinda muzak-y in a starbucks kinda way though :/

but, i mean, i see/meet these people every week at work, and dj their weddings, and i tell you, you really can't be too mainstream with them! they're kinda walking cliches wrt their music taste ya know.

but i feel like i still need that last 200* rock album. current criteria: upbeat alternative pop-charting, rockin. something like the killers maybe? or one of their peers?

In the case of The Beatles, the trouble about "1" is there is so much good and very famous stuff that was never a single. They should release "2", containing not only the rest of their singles, but also key non-singles such as "A Day In The Life", "I Am The Walrus", "In My Life", "Michelle", "Here There And Everywhere", "I Should Have Known Better" etc.

I forgot to respond to that first quote, but how about The Arcade Fire?

arcade fire = too dour for the great unwashed. sad but true. it's really hard coming up with a great, very accesible pop/rock masterpiece for the 00's isn't it?

the more i think about it, the more jack johnson feels right

Franz Ferdinand are probably more accessible.

Phoenix?

Or the total bang-on mainstream dinner party choice: Kitchens of Convenience

Kings of Distinction?

Stevie wonder:

See, "Talking Book" has Superstition, and a whole bunch of 'smooth' stuff that I acknowledge as brilliant but don't actually like that much.

"Innervisions" has more radical/upbeat stuff, and is the record I'd play given the choice.

Oh, and "London Calling" was on the list at the last Hotel I was at that had a listening list.

Country should pick up a Roger Miller comp - you know, for the kids. The New Country selection, I vote Alan Jackson Here In The Real World but I'm not an expert in the genre.

This is a fun task - I always wonder who it is that puts stuff like this together!

but, i mean, i see/meet these people every week at work, and dj their weddings, and i tell you, you really can't be too mainstream with them!

So OTM. Used to work in a hotel and I would have gotten fired for foisting Neutral Milk Hotel onto the customers.

Tell you who else was on the listening list...

Nilsson's greatest hits.

An odd choice, but I went for it and it was fine indeed.

hmmm, so do hotels have listening lists now? encouraging you could find london calling on one, i'm so close to having that rock list done but it's just a smidge too bland atm...

i love love LOVE innervisions, it was my introduction to stevie as an "artist" (i grew up with him being that i just called to say i love ou guy) but, like i said, i don't have hotter than july.

funny that seems to be such a controversial choice here, it seems to get much love just a few threads down:

Did I Hear You Say HOTTER THAN JULY Poll?

ok, i'm done waffling, time to shore up the lists, shove 'em in an amazon cart, send the email and be done with it!

Incidentally, do hotels have to pay for the use of music like this, or is it covered by PRS?

too late to suggest It's Tomorrow Already by Irresistible Force for chill out? far prefer it over K & D Sessions or Ulrich Schnauss

"Incidentally, do hotels have to pay for the use of music like this, or is it covered by PRS?"

good question! i'll try to surreptitiosly find out ;) they're buying the cd's at full price anyway - they coulda asked me to go down to the pirate markets in kuta (i would've said no)

so which one is tomorrow already? if it's the one i heard on mushrooms that one time years back, it's probably a bit trippy for the great unwashed. though i guess that could be the shrooms talking.

PRS should cover it, from when I worked in a pub.

yeah it's trippy, but so is No Protection! there is a drug-themed song in It's Tomorrow Already, now that I think about it, so scratch it.

ok, here's what i finally decided on:

rock:

1. elvis - love, elvis 
2. surfin hits - va (rhino) 
3. beatles - sgt. pepper 
4. led zepplin I
5. Raising Sand - Alison Krauss, Robert Plant
6. highway to hell - ac/dc 
7. jack johnson - in between dreams

country:
1. the louvin brothers: tragic songs of life
2. lonesome fugative/branded man - merle haggard
3. honky tonk heroes - waylon jennings
4. luxury liner - emmylou harris
5. desperado - the eagles
6. the grass is blue - dolly parton
7. gillian welch - time (the revelator)

r&b:
1. sam cooke - night beat 
2. motown cassics: gold
3. issac hayes: black moses
4. roberta flack - first take 
5. stevie wonder - hotter than july 
6. prince - sign of the times 
7. solange - sol-angel and the hadley st. dreams

pop:
1. beach boys - pet sounds
2. michael jackson - off the wall
3. pure 80's - va
4. sade - love deluxe
5. madonna - music 
6. amy winehouse - back to black
7. justin timberlake - futuresex/lovesounds

chill out:
1. no protection - massive attack vs. mad professor
2. ulrich schnauss - far away trains passing buy
3. costes 2
4. orbital 2
5. moon safari - air
6. eno - music for airports
7. bargrooves - summer sessions

classical:
1. john williams - j.s. bach lute suites
2. lucia di lammermoor - highlights
3. debussy - preludes, images, children's corner
4. rodrigo - concierto de aranjuez
5. italian harp music brahms
6. brahms piano quartet #1 in g minor
7. bobby mcferrin / yo yo ma - hush

jazz:
1. duke ellington - far east suite
2. night and day: the cole porter songbook - va
3. nova bossa - red hot on verve - va
4. oliver nelson - the blues and the abstract truth
5. julie london - time for love
6. frank sinatra - sinatra-basie
7. miles - in a silent way

thanks for all the great input, i think with all the tips n tricks i've made a halfway decent desert-island collection with super broad appeal here :)

Good thing I take my iPod with me when I travel.

Sexiest album I own is Cassidy by Bows, which could be either rock / r'n'b or probably something else.

Wow!! Another Bows fan. I'm delighted. They're criminally underrated. I'd say they're trip-hop with hints of DnB. I don't have the Cassidy but Blush is also one of the sexiest records I own.

"Good thing I take my iPod with me when I travel."

don't leave home without it!

It is possible that your pop list may as well consist of:

- A good 50s hits compilation
- A good 60s hits compilation
- A good 70s hits compilation
- A good 80s hits compilation
- A good 90s hits compilation
- Some recent compilation that needs to be replaced quite often by another one
- "1" by The Beatles

lol. "1" is the worst comp i've ever purchased.