Five ain't enough so you’re getting six. Here's goes- in no particular order:

Pat Metheny Group First Circle: Forget that he's a virtuoso, the compositions are incredible. Beautiful and soulful. "The End Of The Game" will melt your heart. Music that makes you really feel something -which I think is still the objective of some musicians.

Todd Rundgren Something/Anything?: Innovative 70's pop. From "Hello It's Me" to "Slut," not a hairball on this 2 record set. My favorite record besides Hermit of Mink Hollow growing up.

Van Halen 1: What can I say? It offers burning, twisting innovative guitar playing along with the best cock rock generated in the 1970's or maybe ever. Unfortunately spawned a generation of cheese metal inbred imitators.

Me'shell Ndegeocello Plantation Lullabies: When I'm in the mood for some angst fueled female 70's type funk with attitude this is the one I reach for. She's a bitch, but that's the point. Along with D'Angelo, she's the best of the new school.

Toad The Wet Sprocket Dulcinea: The songs on this record are just great. Glen Phillips is an amazing writer.

Frank Zappa Joe's Garage Act's 1-3: Social commentary that still rings true today. Innovative and slightly bizarre. Only Zappa could write this music.

Jonatha Brooke Plumb: I'm adding this one because it was so overlooked. Released in 1995, the geniuses at MCA buried this one and her brilliant follow up in order to promote some other shitty alternative band that that ended up stiffing along with the rest of their roster. The songs are brilliant, the performances are soulful and production is amazing. Sheryl Crow wishes she could write songs like this.

R. Hyland