ALL TIME 10 ALBUMS THAT INFLUENCED ME

Recently someone asked me to come up with 10 albums that influenced me or had an impact on my taste in music and my choice in the music that I write. This was no small feat. It would be hard enough if I only like one or two genres but my musical tastes carry me across many diverse genres, from Rock to classical, from jazz to hip hop, from Heavy metal to latin. There is something in all of it that fascinates me, that compels me, encourages me and ultimately satisfies me. So my list of influences is not for the average listener. My taste is my own and I own up to it and I’m proud of it. However, I do hope you take the chance to listen to some of these albums. You might find something you like.
The following list is not in any particular order because its not about ranking the music its about their influence and impact on me. Enjoy.

MILES DAVIS – KIND OF BLUE
There is a reason why this album lands on almost all jazz fan’s lists and even music fans who aren’t jazz freaks. It’s freakin good. Whether you are a jazz fan or not, most people get it. It’s approachable and understandable. And for die hard jazz aficionados there is plenty of sophistication and coolness in this historic album.  I first listen to it when I was 12 after finding my father’s copy in a milk crate in our family homes’ crawlspace. I became a jazz fan from that day on.

 

CHICK COREA ELEKTRIC BAND – EYE OF THE BEHOLDER. 

After digging deep into the bebop world and moving through the Miles discography I came across the fusion genre. This was exciting for me because it had excitement, virtuosity, arrangements with multiple changes and writing that encompassed all sorts of other genres and musical tastes. The guys in this group gelled so well and created tracks that transcend most in there generation. No wonder they all went on to become masters of their instruments and music.

 

 

 

 

GENESIS – THE LAMB LIES DOWN ON BROADWAY

This one started me on to the path of progressive rock and lead to more influential groups in this genre as you will see later. Again, it was the big arrangements with multiple sections and odd meter changes and creative writing that was very different and more complex than everyday rock that lured me.

 

 

 

STEPS AHEAD- STEPS AHEAD

This Group started by vibraphonist Mike Mainieri began with Michael Brecker, Steve Gadd, Eddie Gomes and Don Grolnick. I was floored by the musicality coming out of this group and this album (still am).  But then as you listen more to their other albums you hear people like Bob Berg, Steve Khan, Victor Bailey, Mark Johnson, Peter Erskine, Tony Levin, Denis Chambers, Mike Stern… holy crap. They never put out a dull album.

 

 

 

 

PAT METHENY GROUP – LETTER FROM HOME

This album really opened my eyes to Metheny’s unique way of writing and arranging. I wish I could write like him. His compositions in the Metheny Group setting impacted me greatly and really influences my way of composing. Also check out the albums Speaking of Now, Imaginary Day and We Live here. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WYNTON MARSALIS – STANDARD TIME VOLUME 1

This album solidified my love for the genre. I spent hours and hours listening to every note every phrase. Damn I still do. This is when Wynton was at his most creative (of course he was very young then) It was also the beginning of the resurgence of jazz in the eighties and the beginning of the young guns as the new up and coming young jazz musicians were known. The members of this particular group are now masters of the genre.

 

 

 

 

 

YES – DRAMA

This like many of their music was way ahead of their time. Like the title states, there is lots of drama in this album. I like drama in music. It’s a very useful tool in telling a story. Love the many signature and progression changes. They were already masters at this point. This album still blows me away today. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IGOR STRAVINSKY – RITE OF SPRING (conductor HERBERT VON KARAJAN)

I was turned on to classical music by an old girl friend and I started by listening to mostly the Baroque period. But I like the music so much I started to research and got into it deeper.When I reached the period of Stravinsky, Shostakovich, Holts and Prokofiev I was in heaven. The Rite of spring is by far my favorite symphony. I’ve seen it performed 4 times. Did I mention before that I like drama in my music? I think this is where it comes from.  My kids would tell you how I used to make them listen to this music in a dark room so they wouldn’t get distracted. Is that mean? I know they appreciate classical music to this day. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BILL BRUFORD – ONE OF A KIND

After hearing this dude with Yes and King Crimson I was completely hooked on his style and his pension for odd signature drumming. When I came across this album it really solidified my love for odd signature compositions. Then when he began playing jazz I was in heaven. It would be the start of a live long search for this type of writing and playing. I try to incorporate it in my compositions whenever possible.  All his albums are fantastic. His first few albums are very influenced by Yes and Crimson and if you want to check out his more jazz offerings look for Earthworks

 

 

 

 

 

 

PINK FLOYD – ANIMALS

Yes Dark Side of the Moon was bigger, probably better and there are a whole slew of their albums that one might arguably say is better but this one had the most impact on me. Honestly I don’t know why. I just love these tracks. They seem to stay stuck with me longer than the others. Man these guys were creative.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

STEVE COLEMAN AND FIVE ELEMENTS – RHYTHM PEOPLE (THE RESURRECTION OF CREATIVE BLACE CIVILIZATION)

Ok the title is a little long in the tooth but its a great album. This one really left an impression on me. It pulled on my funky side, my love for odd signature tracks, and my jazzy side. The funky jazz feel is also injected with a kind of avant-guard element in some cases but without loosing its funky root. This will appeal to fans of funky grooves and also the hardcore jazz fan. I love this album. Its affect on the music I listen to today and the music I write and produce has been profound. Some may find this a little difficult to get into but I love when you have to pay attention to music. It keeps you engaged. 

So that’s my top 10. Of course there are countless others that could have made this list and many I struggled with on whether to add of not include but I had to choose.  Check them out.  Even it its not your cup of tea, take a chance.  You never know.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OK, so I stuck an extra one in there.  Like I said, it was a difficult choice.