What's Goin On, Marvin Gaye (Amazon ISBN: B00007FOMP)

Why it's good: Gaye broke into new ground with this release; that's not a new assessment. What's interesting is to put this on and hear the combined themes on the minds of people today - over 30 years after its release. Love, urban sprawl and decay, the environment, but done in way that sounds more passionate than preachy. Themes aside - these are just some classic R&B tunes - What's Goin On, Mercy Mercy Me, and even a few lesser known, very jazzy cuts like 'Inner City Blues.'

Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy (Amazon ISBN: B00000DFDK)

Why it's good: Big Bad Voodoo Daddy - even though big band/neo-swing isn't quite the rave it was a few years ago, this music is always great to put on to get girls movin...with you! Nothing gets girls dancing with their special guy like big band (just consider - most other dance music will get girls dancing..but perhaps with another girlfriend). That's why I recommend this one for your collection, to pull out when the vibe is ready to break into fun, old school dance. (Placed into R&B, though could be considered part of other formats.) 'You and Me and the Bottle Makes 3' is one of the best cuts, and well known as performed in the classic guy film, 'Swingers' (before Vince Vaughn lost his chin line).