Justice/†(Cross) (2007)

An electronica duo from Paris, France, Justice's debut album. Released on Ed Banger Records, a French electronic music record label run by Pedro Winter (manager of Daft Punk). Disco/rock-oriented electro house, like Daft Punk. Includes "Waters of Nazareth", an international hit "D.A.N.C.E." (a dedicated to Michael Jackson) featuring a children's choir from London, and "DVNO". Recommended to Daft Punk listeners.

Rickie Lee Jones/Rickie Lee Jones (1979)

A female singer/songwriter from Chicago, the United States, Rickie Lee Jones' debut album. Acoustic and natural sound influenced by folk, jazz, and R&B. Includes a hit song "Chuck E's in Love". The guest musicians are Steve Gadd (drums), Dr. John/Mac Rebennack (keyboards), Michael McDonald from the Doobie Brothers (vocals), Randy Newman (synths), Andy Newmark from Sly & the Familystone (drums), Jeff Porcaro from Toto (guitar), Nick DeCaro (arrangement) and others. Produced by Lenny Waronker and Russ Titelman. Recommended to those who like Laura Nyro and Joni Mitchell.

Howard Jones/Human's Lib (1984)

A musician from Southampton, England, Howard Jones' debut album. Song-oriented synth-pop featuring digital synths. Catchy melodies. A hit album (#1 on the UK album charts) that includes hit singles, "New Song" (#3 on the UK charts) and "What is Love?" (#2 on the UK charts). Produced by Rupert Hine.

Norah Jones/Come Away With Me (2002)

The vocalist and pianist born in New York (the daughter of Ravi Shankar), Norah Jones' debut album. Acoustic vocal pop blending the elements of jazz, soul, folk and country. The sound is like Carole King and Joni Mitchell. Lack of belongingness to a particular genre. A smash hit album that sold 18 million copies worldwide and got Grammy awards (Album of the Year, Best Pop Vocal Album and Best Engineered Recording, Non-Classical). Produced by Arif Mardin. 'Cold Cold Heart' is a cover of Hank Williams.

Elton John/Greatest Hits (1970-1974)

An adult contemporary-oriented popular singer/songwriter from England. Known for his sweet melodies like the Beatles/Paul McCartney and impressive ballads with piano accompaniment. A best compilation that collects his every nine singles from 1970 to 1974, including eight Top Ten hits, "Your Song", "Rocket Man", "Honky Cat", "Crocodile Rock", "Daniel", "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road", "Bennie and the Jets" and "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me", plus three more tracks.

Michael Jackson/Thriller (1982)

Ex-The Jackson 5 lead vocalist, Michael Jackson's 1982 blockbuster album. The world's best-selling album with over 59 million copies sold. Black contemporary music/dance pop based on soul and funk, with smooth and sophisticated sounds. Features 8 single hits such as "Thriller", "Beat It" (featuring Eddie Van Halen on guitar. #1 on the US charts), "Billie Jean" (#1) and "The Girl is Mine" (a duet with Paul McCartney). Produced by Quincy Jones.

The Jam/All Mod Cons (1978)

The punk band featuring Paul Weller (guitar and vocals), the Jam's third album. The sound is in the mods-style of the mid 1960s. The British music paper New Musical Express selected this as Album of the Year in 1978. 'David Watts' is a cover of the Kinks.

Jane's Addiction/Ritual de lo Habitual (1990)

An alternative rock band from Los Angeles. A hit album (3rd). Artistic sounds mixing heavy metal, funk and punk. Includes 'Been Caught Stealing'.

Japan/Gentlemen Take Polaroids (1980) **

The UK synth-pop band featuring David Sylvian (vocals). The funky, polyrhythmic techno-beat (in a soul/African style) is cool. 'Taking Islands In Africa' is a collaboration between David Sylvian and Ryuichi Sakamoto.

Japan/Tin Drum (1981) **

The rhythm ensemble is brilliant, like the previous album "Gentlemen Take Polaroids". Chinese mood. Artistic and aesthetic sounds.

The J.B.'s/Doing It to Death (1973)

The back band for James Brown. Featuring Fred Wesley (trombone), Maceo Parker (alto sax) and Alfred "Pee Wee" Ellis (tenor sax). The 2nd album. Pure funk sounds with a jazzy touch. Written, produced, and arranged by JB.

Jefferson Airplane/Surrealistic Pillow (1967)

A psychedelic folk-rock band from San Francisco. This album gives the atmosphere of "Summer of Love".

Jellyfish/Spilt Milk (1993)

A first-rate pop album. The sound is like the Beatles, the Beach Boys and Queen.

The Jesus and Mary Chain/Darklands (1987)

This second album is more melodic and tuneful than the first album that features noisy feed-backing guitars.

Jesus Jones/Doubt (1991)

They introduced house and hip-hop into the mainstream rock in the UK. The second album that includes "Right Here, Right Now".

The Jimi Hendrix Experience/Are You Experienced? (1967) *

An innovative sound of guitar with effects. Destructive feeling. Features 'Foxey Lady' and 'Purple Haze'. The debut album.

Antonio Carlos Jobim/Wave (1967)

The Brazilian composer/arranger noted as the originator of bossa nova, Antonio Carlos Jobim's solo work. A masterpiece of instrumental bossa nova. Arranged and conducted by Claus Ogeman.

Billy Joel/Greatest Hits Vol. 1-2 (1973-1985)

A singer/songwriter and pianist from the Bronx, New York, who became one of the most popular singer/songwriters with pop/ballad/rock'n'roll hits in the late 1970s and the early 1980s. The single compilation that features lots of hits such as "Piano Man" (No.1 on the US charts), "Say Goodbye to Hollywood", "The Stranger", "Just the Way You Are", "My Life", "Honesty" (included only on the Japanese edition), "It's Still Rock and Roll to Me" (#1 US), "Pressure", "Allentown", "Tell Her about It" (#1 US), and "Uptown Girl".

Robert Johnson/The Complete Recordings (1936/1937) *

Includes all the recordings (29 songs, all the 41 takes) by Robert Johnson, the most celebrated figure in the history of the blues. Songs with acoustic guitar accompaniment. Transcendental techniques of bottleneck/slide guitar playing. The prewar Mississippi delta blues accomplished by him formed the foundation of Chicago Blues, and it had a big influence on later popular music in general.

Grace Jones/Nightclubbing (1981)

Club music in an electro-reggae style. Sly and Robbie joined.

Janis Joplin/Pearl (1971)

A great white female blues/rock singer of the 1960s. After acting with San Francisco psychedelic band Big Brother & the Holding Company, became a solo artist. The last recording and greatest album released after she died. Includes 'Move Over', 'Me and Bobby McGee' (No.1 on the US charts) and 'Trust Me'.

Josef K/The Only Fun in Town/Sorry for Laughing (1980/1981)

Scotland's guitar pop band featuring Paul Haig (vocals, guitar) and Malcolm Ross (guitar). Includes all the tracks of their two albums, the unreleased debut album (recorded in 1980) "Sorry for Laughing" and the only official album on Postcard label, "The Only Fun in Town". Post-punk/new-wave style guitar pop influenced by New York punks such as Television.

Joy Division/Unknown Pleasures (1979)

The post-punk/new wave band from Manchester, Joy Division's debut album. Featuring Ian Curtis (vocals). Melancholy sound like the Doors. Includes 'Disorder', 'New Dawn Fades' and 'She's Lost Control'. Produced by Martin Hannett.

Joy Division/Closer (1980) *

This second is a masterpiece. Includes 'Isolation', 'Heart and Soul' and 'Decades'. The rest of the band members formed New Order after Ian Curtis (vocals) killed himself.

Judas Priest/Painkiller (1990)

The twelfth album of Judas Priest, the English heavy metal band that spearheaded the movement called the New Wave of British Heavy Metal in the late 1970s and the early 1980s. A heavy metal album of good quality, leaning toward thrash/speed metal. The first album featuring the drummer Scott Travis (ex-Racer X), and the last one featuring the vocalist Rob Halford.

Jungle Brothers/Straight Out the Jungle (1988)

A masterpiece of Native Tongue/New School rap. Includes "I'll House You", a collaboration with Todd Terry.