12+1 then 4

I first met JTor after a friend's show at the Cobalt. We discussed the navy and good wine. He was carrying a Thievery Corporation CD in his pocket. Clearly, I was intrigued (Have you heard of Thievery Corporation? Anyone smart enough to carry this around in their pocket must be an interesting individual).

For some reason, when compiling some of my favorite albums of all times, the night I met him came to mind. I won't go into too much detail of the evening for the fear of exposing myself in a way that I am not ready for but I will say this; we still talk. He's the reason I blog here and not somewhere else and I'm glad I know him. And he owes me a Hollywood Thai Massage with a happy ending...

I'd also like to mention Mr. BMore. I love this guy but wouldn't normally admit that for fear of coming off as "weird" (most people don't understand the many forms of love but he's pretty awesome and I kinda hope he's not reading this :-/). He reminds me of good music. I think I'd like to name him as the inspiration for this blog (teehee). Now on to the point...


Here are a few of my favorite albums of all times. Not in any particular order and by no means are any my "favorite" because I have yet to figure out if I even have a favorite album. I'm listing Fiona first because til this day, it's one of my favorites to listen to often and still my favorite gift to buy people. Enjoy.

Fiona Apple - Extraordinary Machine

Released: October 4, 2005

Aaliyah - One in a Million

Released August 27, 1996

Pharcyde - Bizarre Ride to the Pharcyde

Released: November 30, 1991

The Mars Volta - De-Loused in the Comatorium
Released: June 24, 2003
(I originally posted 'Frances the Mute' but this album is better and BMore introduced me to it so it only seems right)

A Tribe Called Quest - People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm

Released: April 17, 1990

Kanye West - 808s and Heartbreak

Released: October 6, 2008

The Beatles - Rubber Soul

Released sometime in 1965

(December 6, 1965 so says google)

Mana - Amar Es Combatir

Released August 22, 2006

N.E.R.D. - In Search Of...

Released March 12, 2002

(release debatable due to discontinuing then re releasing in the US)

Incubus - Morning View

Released October 23, 2001

Shakira - Fijacion Oral

Released June 7, 2005

Coldplay - X&Y

Released June 7, 2005

(I remember leaving the P-Dub on my "lunch break" and not clocking out til I returned an hour and a half later just to buy these two albums)

Mos Def - Black on Both Sides

Released October 12, 1999

And just because... These are 4 of the LPs I wake up to almost every day of the week (a different one every day but these 4 tend to get put back into the record player the most often).

Prince - Purple Rain

Released July 17, 1984

Earth Wind and Fire - Gratitude

Released 1975

Stevie Wonder - Songs in the Key of Life

Released 1976

Whodini - Escape

Released 1984

If you don't have all or any of these, pick out 3 and go get them!