The Marvelettes, "Please Mr. Postman"
"Please Mr. Postman" was the first ever number one hit for Motown, setting the precedent that so many other songs would later follow. And it's easy to see, especially with that lead vocal performance. This is still a serious jam.
NxWorries, "Best One"
NxWorries is a delightful collaboration between Anderson .Paak and underground hip-hop producer Knxwledge, and it smokes. Knxwledge has always excelled at these kinds of dense, funky, kind of abstract beats, but working with .Paak gives them a purpose that showcases them better than his solo work. I'd love to hear a follow-up record to this thing.
Jawbox, "Tongues"
Jawbox's second album, and final one for Dischord Records, saw J. Robbins really take a step forward with his songwriting. They also added a second guiarist to the lineup, providing for more complexity which he uses well. While I enjoy the debut record, this is the one where the band really hit on all cylinders and is my favorite album from them. If you haven't listened to much of Robbins's work, you should either start with this or the first Burning Airlines album.
Gob, "Soda"
Whee! This is from the first record from Vancouver, B.C. punk band Gob, who pretty much sound like every other band on Fat Wreck Chords at that time (even though they were not on that label), but you know what? It gets in and out with energy, so fuck it, this is fun.
Drive Like Jehu, "Golden Brown"
I've written plenty about Jon Reis's work with a bunch of bands (Rocket From The Crypt, Hot Snakes) and Rick Froberg (also Hot Snakes, Obits), but Drive Like Jehu is the real prize from both of those guys. This San Diego post-hardcore band only lasted for two albums, one hilariously on a major label (they really did sign everybody in the mid-90s who could make a racket with guitars!), but they set a standard for this style of music that has rarely been met and never really exceeded. Both albums are essential.