50 years of audio excellence Celebrated through 50 albums that are music and sonic icons. Chosen by our staff, friends in the recording industry and you.

The people's choice

Features Paul McCartney, Eddie Van Halen and Vincent Price Nov 1982

1
So crisply recorded that you can clearly hear Jerry Allison pat his hands on his lap Feb 1958
2
The definition of cool yet mastered at the wrong speed Aug 1959
3
One of the first stereo rock ’n’ roll albums released Dec 1960
4
It took 2 sessions to make and relaunched a megastar Apr 1960
5
With 16 year old Billy Preston before he played with the Beatles and Stones Sep 1963
6
The only all acoustic release of a career Jan 1964
7
He gave up music to save the whales Jun 1965
8
It took 50 years to come out in stereo on vinyl May 1966
9
Put the LP format on the map Jun 1967
10
Band members went on to form the Faces and Humble Pie May 1968
11
Recorded live with session musicians left to improvise as best they could Nov 1968
12
1st generation tapes and layers are found, leading to a suitably ramshackle remaster Nov 1969
13
It put the female singer songwriter on the map Feb 1971
14
An 1898 Bechstein grand piano is just one of many stunning soundscapes on this LP Dec 1971
15
Originally released in Quadraphonic, the surround version was revived on DVD-Audio in 2006 Mar 1973
16
ARP and Moog synths were marked in braille for ease of playing 1973 (Aug, US) (Oct,UK)
17
Features the cream of LA’s session musicians next to stoner comedians Cheech and Chong 1974 (Feb US, Mar UK)
18
Recorded live in the studio, in mono for maximum R&B Jan 1975
19
They had a sound that was west coast perfection Aug 1975
20
Jan Hammer was a catalyst for this explosive album Jul 1976
21
This album brought raw immediacy back to music Feb 1977
22
The album that broke reggae worldwide Jun 1977
23
Made by a girl in a beret and the finest musicians in town 1979 (Mar US, Jun UK)
24
Showed what new wave was all about Oct 1980
25
Made before we became slaves to her rhythm May 1981
26
A percussion feast of inspired songs Sept 1983
27
It links Average White Band, Pentangle and Traffic Feb 1986
28
Daniel Lanois helped make this the biggest album of his career May 1986
29
Recorded in analogue but edited on early digital technology Sep 1986
30
A stark reality, shackles on your feet, dynamics like a punch to the solar plexus... Mar 1990
31
Hallelujah is caressed into life on this audiophile gem Aug 1994
32
The first LSO recording to use DSD Dec 2000
33
A passionate, daring take on a classic Jan 2010
34
The artist got his name from a maker of audio signal processors Nov 1996
35
Heartbreakers and a Chili Pepper behind the man in black Nov 96
36
Recorded in a stately home for natural reverb May 1997
37
Sessions were disrupted by a suicidal stalker Sep 1997
38
Made with analogue synths and Grundig tape recorders Apr 1998
39
Proves that conflict produces great music Apr 1998
40
Put Dave Brubeck with Marlena Shaw and re-invented groove May 2000
41
Some of the deepest pulsing bass on record. Rattle your room. And maybe your skull. Aug 2003
42
Nonsensical phrases and gibberish, sound like hopping into puddles Sep 2005
43
The conductor, baritone and SACD/Blu-ray make this oratorio sing Oct 2015
44
Rare and beautiful remixes of Scandiwegian sounds Nov 2007
45
The shimmering sound of desert blues Feb 2004
46
A jazz vocalist who sounds totally beguiling Sept 2004
47
A modern classic that is reshaping hip hop Mar 2015
48
Organ, synth, piano, clarinet, guitar, bass, vocals, Mellotron, Wurlitzer - shimmer in your ears... Oct 2013
49
Made in public as part of an art installation Apr 2016

The people's choice

Features Paul McCartney, Eddie Van Halen and Vincent Price Nov 1982

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