Mudhoney/March to Fuzz: best of and rarities... (1988-1998)

An American alternative rock band formed in Seattle, Washington in 1988, Mudhoney's two-disc compilation album (52 tracks. Released on Sub Pop Records). Punk/garage rock-oriented grunge featuring noisy fuzz/distorted guitar. Disc 1 (best of) is a collection of their popular songs such as their first single "Touch Me I'm Sick", "In 'n' Out of Grace", "Suck You Dry", "Sweet Young Thing Ain't Sweet No More", "Here Comes Sickness", "Blinding Sun" and "Into Your Shtik". Disc 2 (rarities and B-sides) is a collection of rare tracks and b-sides. Recommended to those who like the Stooges, Sonic Youth and Nirvana.

The Modern Lovers/The Modern Lovers (1971-1972/1976)

A Boston-based rock band led by Jonathan Richman (vocals, guitar), the Modern Lovers' first album. Recorded in 1971-1972, but released in 1976. Minimalistic guitar rock influenced by the Velvet Underground. Produced by John Cale and Kim Fowley. One of the most important proto-punk albums between the Velvet Underground and New York punk. Features 'Roadrunner' (covered by the Sex Pistols), 'Pablo Picasso', 'I'm Straight', and 'She Cracked'. Recommended to those who like the Velvet Underground and Big Star. The 2003 reissue CD includes 9 original tracks plus 8 bonus tracks. The members, Jerry Harrison (keyboards) later joined Talking Heads, and David Robinson (drums) joined the Cars.

Megadeth/Peace Sells...But Who's Buying? (1986)

An American thrash metal band led by ex-Metallica Dave Mustaine (guitar, vocals, songwriting), Megadeth's 2nd album. An early thrash metal classics fusing dark heavy metal with hardcore punk. Intricate musical passages and aggressive guitar riffs. High instrumental skills. "I Ain't Superstitious" is a cover of Willie Dixon's blues song. The 2004 CD is remixed and remastered by Dave Mustaine.

Mogwai/Mogwai Young Team (1997)

A post-rock band formed in 1996 in Glasgow, Scotland, Mogwai's first full-length album. Largely instrumental guitar-based sound. Post-rock influenced by Sonic Youth and Slint. Dynamic contrast between quiet and loud, beautiful, melancholic melodies and roar of guitar distortion.

Giorgio Moroder/E=MC2 (1980)

An Italian producer, composer and synthesizer player known as 'The Father of Disco', Giorgio Moroder's solo album. Billed as the "first electronic live-to-digital album". Sequencer-based electro disco, just like Sparks' album "No.1 in Heaven" produced by Giorgio Moroder at the same time (1979). One of the origins of techno.

Alanis Morissette/Jagged Little Pill (1995)

A female singer/songwriter from Canada, Alanis Morissette's third (international debut) album released on Maverick Records, Madonna's label. Confessional and Emotional vocals with unique vocalization and band sound in the alternative rock/post-grunge style. This album has sold 30 million copies worldwide and won the Grammy awards "Album of the Year" and "Best Rock Album". Includes the hit single "You Oughta Know" featuring Flea (bass) and Dave Navarro (guitar) from the Red Hot Chili Peppers. All the songs composed by herself and the producer Glenn Ballard. She greatly influenced follow-on Canadian singers such as Skye Sweetnam (and also Japanese singers such as Ringo Shena, Hitomi Yaida and Chihiro Onizuka).

Paul McCartney & Wings/Band on the Run (1973)

Ex-the Beatles, Paul McCartney's fifth solo work released under the name of Wings (#1 on the US/UK album charts). Melodic sound like soft rock. Produced by Paul, his wife Linda McCartney, and Denny Laine, a former guitarist for the Moody Blues. Paul himself played almost every instrument, including drums. One of his valued solo works after the Beatles disbanded. Includes hit singles, "Band on the Run" and "Jet".

The Music/The Music (2002)

The alternative rock band formed in Leeds, England in 1999, the Music's debut album (#4 on the UK album charts). A mix of man-powered dance beat and loud blues/hard rock like Led Zeppelin. Filled with a sense of groove. Robert Harvey's high-toned vocal is like Robert Plant. Features "Take the Long Road and Walk It" and "The People".

The Meters/The Very Best of the Meters (1968-1976)

The New Orleans-based funk band led by Art Neville (keyboard, vocals), the Meters' best compilation (16 tracks, released on Rhino in 1997). Earthy New Orleans funk. Finely syncopated rhythm. The tracks are mainly instrumentals. Very influential on the funk and hip-hop since the 1980s. Features "Cissy Strut", "Sophisticated Cissy", "Look-Ka Py Py", "Hey Pocky A-Way" and "Fire on the Bayou".

Bob Marley and the Wailers/Live! (1975)

A memorable live recording at the Lyceum Ballroom, London, on 19th July 1975. A great reggae performance with rock-oriented band sound. 'No Woman, No Cry' is impressive. 'I Shot the Sheriff' is a famous song Eric Clapton covered.

Material/Hallucination Engine (1994) *

The New York-based bassist/producer/arranger, Bill Laswell's project, Material's 1994 album. Ethnic ambient dub/jazz-funk in the Indian/Arabic style. The guest musicians are Wayne Shorter (soprano/tenor saxes), Bernie Worrell (electric piano, organ), Bootsy Collins (bass), Indian violinist L. Shanker (electric violin), Sly Dunbar (drums) and others. "Words of Advice" samples Billy Cobham's "Red Baron" and features the novelist William S. Burroughs' monologue. "Cucumber Slumber (Fluxus Mix)" is a cover of Weather Report. "Naima" is a quote of John Coltrane.

Sergio Mendes & Brasil 66/The Very Best of Sergio Mendes & Brazil 66 (1966-1971)

An international popular group of bossa nova/lounge/Brazilian pop (gender-mixed vocals) in the late 1960s, Sergio Mendes & Brasil 66's comprehensive best compilation album (a set of 2 CDs, 48 tracks in total) that covers all the hits and other good songs from all the seven albums recorded for A&M records. A smash hit "Mas Que Nada" is a cover of Jorge Ben. "With a Little Help from My Friends", "The Fool on the Hill", "Day Tripper" and "Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)" are covers of the Beatles. "Triste" and "Wave" are covers of Antonio Carlos Jobim. "For What it's Worth" is a cover of Buffalo Springfield (written by Stephen Stills). "Chelsea Morning" is a cover of Joni Mitchell. "Lost in Paradise" is a cover of Caetano Veloso. "Night and Day" is a cover of Cole Porter. "Scarborough Fair" is a cover of Simon & Garfunkel. "Empty Faces" is a cover of Milton Nascimento. The co-producer is Herb Alpert of A&M.

Moby/Play (1999)

The American techno artist/electronica musician, Moby's 1999 blockbuster album with over 50 million copies sold all over the world (#38 on the US, #1 on the UK charts). Spiritual breakbeat/ambient techno in the R&B style, featuring Moby's vocals and old blues or gospel vocal samples such as Etta James, Vera Hall and BB King. Includes "Honey", "Run On", "Porcelain", a big-beat dance tune "Bodyrock", "Why Does My Heart Feel So Bad?" and "South Side".

The Move/The Move (1968)

The rock band from Birmingham, England, led by Roy Wood (guitar,vocals), the Move's debut album. A masterpiece of melodic British psychedelic pop, like the Beatles at the time. Includes 'Flowers in the Rain' (#2 on the UK charts). 'Hey Grandma' is a cover of Moby Grape.

Manfred Mann/Mighty Garvey! (1968)

The English jazz/R&B-oriented rock band led by keyboardist Manfred Mann, Manfred Mann's 1968 masterpiece. Released when Mike D'Abo was the lead vocalist (so-called Chapter Two). Colourful psychedelic pop with mellotron. Includes a hit 'The Mighty Quinn' (a cover of Bob Dylan's then-unreleased song. #1 on the UK charts. #10 on the US).

Moby Grape/Moby Grape (1967)

The rock band in San Francisco in 1960s, Moby Grape's debut album. Psychedelic rock based on roots music such as country, folk, blues and rockn' roll. Multilayered sound featuring triple guitar and the chorus of triple voice.

Madness/Utter Madness (1982-?)

The single collection. Well-crafted British pop.

Madonna/The Immaculate Collection (1984-1990)

A dance-pop singer born in Michigan, Madonna's first single-disc hits compilation. 17 tracks including eight No. 1 hits on the US charts. Remastered in Q-sound and not the original single versions. "Lucky Star", "Borderline", "Like a Virgin", "Material Girl", "Crazy for You", "Into the Groove", "Live to Tell" and so on.

Madonna/Like a Virgin (1984)

A blockbuster produced by former Chic guitarist Nile Rodgers. The second album that includes a No. 1 hit on the US charts, "Like a Virgin" and "Material Girl".

Bob Marley and the Wailers/Catch a Fire (1972)

Jamaican reggae got to be known in the world with this album as a start.

Massive Attack/Protection (1994)

DJ group from Bristol (Ex-Wild Bunch). One of the originators of English hip-hop/trip-hop. The 2nd album. Lazy dubby rhythms. More song-oriented than the 1st. Tracey Thorn (vocals) joined.

Derrick May/Innovator (1986-1996) *

One of the central figures of Detroit Techno scene, Derrick May's works.

Curtis Mayfield/There's No Place Like America Today (1975)

The ninth solo album by Curtis Mayfield, who was a member of Chicago R&B vocal group the Impressions in the 1950s/60s, and a giant star in soul/funk of the 1970s. A serious soul album dealing with the problems of unemployment and poorness in black community with exquisite falsetto voice and reflective songs. Includes 'So in Love'.

MC5/Kick out the Jams (1969)

Garage rock band from Detriot. Live recording.

Malcolm McLaren/Duck Rock (1983)

Ex-the Sex Pistols' manager. Includes one of the early hip-hop hits, "Buffalo Gals". Produced by Trevor Horn.

Meat Beat Manifesto/99% (1990)

UK experimental dance/club music influenced by electro-industrial, US hip-hop and Chicago house. Noisy sound with rap and techno beats. Like Renegade Soundwave, but more hip-hop oriented. Cool. Includes a hit in the club charts 'Psyche-Out'.

Metallica/Metallica (1991)

I don't like hard rock and heavy metal so much, but I like this album.

Jeff Mills/Waveform Transmission Vol. 3 (1994) *

A DJ from Detroit. The originator of hard minimal techno. A collection of edited versions of his tracks around 1990. Cool.

Ministry/Twitch (1986)

A pioneering sound of noisy, machinelike electro-industrial. Produced by Adrian Sherwood.

Missing Persons/Spring Session M (1982)

The Los Angeles-based new-wave pop band by ex-members of Frank Zappa's backing band: Terry Bozzio (drums), Dale Bozzio (vocals) and Warren Cuccurullo (guitar). The first full-length album. Technically exquisite performance. Includes 'Destination Unknown', 'Words' and 'Walking in L.A.'

Joni Mitchell/Blue (1971)

A female singer/songwriter from Canada. 4th album. Folk-based, but free-form pop songs with a unique chord progression and beautiful melodies.

Momus/Tender Pervert (1988)

An artistic, literary singer & songwriter from the UK. (I also like Japanese movie "Summer Vacation: 1999".)

The Monkees/The Monkees (1966)

American pop. 1st album. Includes "Last Train to Clarksville".

The Monochrome Set/Volume, Contrast, Brilliance... sessions and singles vol.1 (1979-1986) *

An exotic and strange guitar-pop band featuring Bid (vocals, guitar) and Lester Square (guitar, vocals). A compilation that includes singles and recordings for radio shows in their early days. Includes 'He's Frank', 'Eine Symphonie des Grauens' and other masterpieces.

The Monochrome Set/Eligible Bachelors (1982) **

A gem of witty, melodic, acoustic-oriented guitar pop sounds. Includes 'The Jet Set Junta' and 'The Ruling Class'. This 3rd album is great!!!

The Monochrome Set/The Lost Weekend (1985)

4th album. Includes "Jacob's Ladder" and "Wallflower".

Van Morrison/Moondance (1970)

A soulful singer from Northern Ireland. 2nd album.

Morrissey/"Kill Uncle" (1991)

Ex-the Smiths lead singer. 2nd solo album. Ex-Fairground Attraction songwriter/guitarist Mark E. Nevin joined.

The Mothers of Invention/Freak Out! (1966)

Avant-garde sounds mixing R&B and rock with contemporary music. 1st album.

Mouse on Mars/Idiology (2001)

The electronica duo (Jan St. Werner and Andi Toma) from Germany, Mouse on Mars' seventh full album. Avant-garde and humorous electronic sound introducing vocals (by collaborator/drummer Dodo Nkishi) and acoustic instruments (piano, strings). Features the single "Actionist Respoke".

Mu-Ziq/Lunatic Harness (1997) *

Mu-Ziq (Mike Paradinas) is a techno music pioneer, taking rank with Richard D. James.

My Bloody Valentine/Loveless (1991)

Ambient-flavored sounds by noisy feed-backing guitars. Sweet melodies.