Build your music collection – vintage edition #3

The third in my occasional series of recommendations for building your music library – not the new shiny releases in the press, but the older stuff that you need to get a good rounded collection on the go. If you are just buying your MP3 player, these are the artists you need to look into for a great selection of tuneage!

Don’t take my word for it, click the links and see what downloads are available on Amazon.

• Serge Gainsbourg – The original Mister Lover Lover, a legendary caner and writer of some of the coolest music ever to waft across the channel. It doesn’t matter if you don’t speak French – the loucheness of ‘L’histoire de Melody Nelson’ was the sound that launched Portishead and more. Serge was the real deal, controversial and cool, fully capable of scandal AND sophistication. Everybody needs some Gainsbourg in their collection.
• Depeche Mode – First discovered in my schools day, still loved as I grow middle aged and uncool. The Basildon boys have turned out album after album of high quality electronica – getting darker and darker as they age, with brilliant song writing from Martin Gore. My favourite albums: Violator, Songs of Faith and Devotion and Some Great Reward – a truly marvellous British band. If you have any interest in british electronica of the last 30 years, you need some Depeche Mode in your collection.
• Paul Weller – From The Jam to The Style Council to solo material, Paul Weller has been one of the most influential artists of recent years. Starting out as the arch-mod, with angry, spiky tunes and developing a more laid back and jazzy sound with the Style Council in the mid eighties. For me – Stanley Road is an absolute treat of an album, and Sound Affects from the Jam is the soundtrack of my early schooldays. Paul Weller is a true national treasure, brilliant in every way.

What other artists would you include in your perfect music collection?