 | Objects of Desire by Michael Franks
Buy new: £14.19 / Used from: £2.80 Soulful, witty and romantic, 'Desire' (1982) is one of 15 great albums by the most accomplished and consistent of all singer-songwriters. Standout track: 'Love Duet'.
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 | Barefoot on the Beach by Michael Franks
Buy used from: £5.95 Michael proves with 'Barefoot' (1999) that he is just as good as he ever was. Standout track: the sultry samba 'Every Time She Whispers'.
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 | Hejira by Joni Mitchell
Buy used from: £3.48 Many people site 'Blue' as Joni's best album, but you can't beat the powerful melodic fusion of 'Hejira' (1976). Standout track: 'Black Crow'.
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 | The Nightfly by Donald Fagen
Buy new: £6.68 / Used from: £3.94 Donald Fagen's first solo album (1982) is rhythmic and inventive, with some killer tracks. Standout: the swinging 'Ruby Baby'.
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 | Aja by Steely Dan
Buy new: £6.58 / Used from: £3.29 'Aja' (1977) is Steely Dan at their peak, a tour de force of polished yet potent jazz-inflected rock. Standout track: 'Josie'.
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 | Innervisions by Stevie Wonder
Buy new: £5.18 / Used from: £2.49 Stevie Wonder's post-70s work is generally underrated, but 'Innervisions' (1973) is admittedly unbeatable. Standout track: 'Too High'.
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 | Live in New Orleans by Maze With Frankie Beverly
Buy used from: £9.44 Discovered by Marvin Gaye, Maze remains the most unrecognized of all soul acts. This 1981 live album is possibly their best. Standout track: the classic 'Joy and Pain'.
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 | Dig by Boz Scaggs
Buy used from: £5.59 The earthy-voiced Scaggs melds soul, rock and jazz influences into a seamless whole (2001). Standout track: the bluesy 'King Of El Paso'.
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 | Rapture by Anita Baker
Buy new: £6.48 / Used from: £1.95 The ultimate modern soul vocalist sings some great songs with passion and power (1986). Standout track: 'Same Ole Love'.
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 | The Look Of Love by Diana Krall
Buy new: £4.98 / Used from: £3.01 The choice of songs and Diana Krall's inspired delivery make these Brazilian-tinged interpretations evocative and timeless (2001). Standout track: 'I Remember You'.
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 | Frank by Amy Winehouse
Buy new: £3.48 / Used from: £0.66 An impressively assured performance from someone so young, in this 2003 soul-jazz debut. Standout track: 'Know You Now'.
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 | Tanto Tempo by Bebel Gilberto
Buy new: £7.98 / Used from: £0.95 Languorous and melodic, Tanto Tempo (2000) captures all that is irresistible about Brazilian samba. Standout track: 'Sem Contenção'.
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 | Brother Sister by The Brand New Heavies
Buy new: £4.98 / Used from: £2.50 The definitive 'acid-jazz' album, 'Brother Sister' (1994) is full of infectious funk. Standout track: 'Day Break'.
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 | Positivity by Incognito
Buy new: £4.98 / Used from: £3.19 Another acid-jazz classic, 'Positivity' (1993) is Incognito at their best. Standout track: 'Where Do We Go From Here'.
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 | Out of the Blue by Maysa
Buy new: £12.69 / Used from: £5.84 Incognito's lead singer on 'Positivity', Maysa went on to record a string of great soul albums including this one (2002). Standout track: 'Out Of The Blue'.
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 | Solitaire by Sean Oliver
Buy used from: £21.55 Inventive jazz-tinged soul from a talented singer-producer (1997). Standout track: 'The Words'.
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 | Voices of Other Times by Brian Auger's Oblivion Express
Buy used from: £9.21 With his son on drums and his daughter on vocals, Auger proves that that he can still make his Hammond organ rock (2000). Standout track: 'Circles'.
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 | If I Could Only Remember My Name by David Crosby
Buy new: £6.68 / Used from: £2.95 A transcendent and unparalleled rock album (1971). Standout track: 'Traction In The Rain'.
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 | Crosby, Stills & Nash by Crosby Stills and Nash
Buy new: £10.48 / Used from: £6.99 Still as fresh as the first day I first listened to it (1969). Favourite track: 'Wooden Ships'.
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 | After the Gold Rush by Neil Young
Buy new: £5.78 / Used from: £3.24 Essential Neil Young, melodic and visionary (1970). Favourite track: 'Don't Let It Bring You Down'.
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 | Nils Lofgren by Nils Lofgren
Buy used from: £15.95 Nils played guitar for both Neil Young and Bruce Springsteen, but this straight-ahead rock album is as good as any of theirs' (1975). Favourite track: 'One More Saturday Night'.
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 | Gorilla by James Taylor
Buy new: £10.29 / Used from: £3.91 Taylor at his most melodic (1975). Favourite track: 'Music'.
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 | America by America
Buy new: £6.68 / Used from: £3.75 Even without 'Horse With No Name', this West Coast folk-rock album (1972) would still be great. Favourite track: 'Rainy Day'.
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 | Ziggy Stardust by David Bowie
Buy new: £5.08 / Used from: £3.65 Bowie's best - and pure genius (1972). Favourite track: 'Soul Love'.
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 | Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band by The Beatles
Buy used from: £2.98 Still engaging and original (1967). Favourite track: 'Fixing A Hole'.
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