System of a Down/System of a Down (1998)

An American rock band formed in Los Angeles, California in 1995, System of a Down's debut album. The members are all from the Armenian community. Dark and hardcore/gothic-oriented alternative metal with middle-eastern style melodies. Political lyrics. Includes singles, 'Sugar' and 'Spiders'. Produced by Rick Rubin. A great alt-metal album is in the tradition of California hardcore/heavy rock, like Dead Kennedys, Jane's Addiction and Rage Against the Machine.

Sade/Diamond Life (1984)

An English pop group featuring Sade Adu, a female singer-songwriter born in Nigeria and raised in England. Their debut album. Sophisticated pop in the adult contemporary/quiet storm style, based on R&B and jazz. Very smooth and easy to listen to. Includes singles, "Your Love is King" (#6 on the UK charts), "When Am I Going to Make a Living", "Smooth Operator" (#5 on the US charts) and "Hang on to Your Love". Produced by Robin Millar. Recommended to those who like Swing Out Sister and Everything But the Girl.

Ravi Shankar/The Sounds of India (1968)

An Indian sitar player/composer, known for his influence on Philip Glass and the Beatles, and his film music such as Satyajit Ray's 'Apu trilogy', Ravi Shankar's 1968 work. Instrumental performances by Ravi Shankar on sitar (stringed instrument) accompanied by tabla (percussion instrument) and tambura (stringed instrument for drone). Known as a great introduction to Indian/Hindustani classical music for Western listeners, for it features Ravi Shankar's English explanations of Indian music, such as melodic modes called 'ragas', scales, rhythms, song structures, and time signatures.

The Strokes/Is This It (2001)

A rock band formed in 1998 in New York with Julian Casablancas (vocals, songwriting), the Strokes' debut album. Simple and melodic guitar rock in the garage rock/post-punk style, like the Velvet Underground and the Television. The UK music magazine NME made this their Album of the Year.

Soft Machine/Third (1970) *

An English psychedelic/progressive rock/jazz-fusion band and one of the central bands in the Canterbury scene in the late 1960s and the early 1970s, Soft Machine's third album. Features a horn section and has a more jazz rock-oriented sound than their first and second albums. The tracks are all instrumental, except "Moon in June" featuring Robert Wyatt's vocals. A masterpiece of Canterbury prog/jazz rock, combining interplays in the fusion style, like Miles Davis' "Bitches Brew", contemporary electronic music elements, and Soft Machine's original psychedelic pop.

Slint/Spiderland (1991)

A rock band formed in Louisville, Kentucky, United States in 1987, Slint's second album. A pioneering work which had a great influence on later post-rock/math rock scene, such as Tortoise and Mogwai. The heavily-subducting and syncopated beat is pleasurable. Extreme volume changes (quiet/loud sounds, mumbling/screaming vocals). Features "Good Morning Captain".

Soundgarden/Superunknown (1994)

An alternative rock band formed with Chris Cornell (vocals, guitar) and Kim Thayil (guitar) in 1984 in Seattle, WA. One of the representative bands of US guitar rock in the 1990s called "Grunge". The fifth studio-recording album (#1 on the US charts). Heavy rock with a distinctive groove. Undulating sound in slow-to-mid-tempo with guitar riffs like Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath. Emotional vocals using both high and low tones. Heavier than Nirvana. Includes "Spoonman", "The Day I Tried to Live" and "Black Hole Sun".

Dusty Springfield/Dusty in Memphis (1969)

A female popular singer from London, England. Her famous album recorded in Memphis, Tennessee with producers Jerry Wexler, Tom Dowd and Arif Mardin, and released on the US Atlantic Records. Pop-oriented soul with smooth and soft sound. Features a hit song "Son of a Preacher Man" (#9 in the UK charts/#10 in the US charts. Used in Quentin Tarantino's movie "Pulp Fiction").

Stereolab/Emperor Tomato Ketchup (1996)

The UK alternative rock/indie pop band formed by ex-McCarthy leader Tim Gane (guitar, keyboards) and French-born female vocalist Laetitia Sadier in London in 1991. The fourth full-length album released when Mary Hansen (keyboards, vocals) was in the band. The album title comes from Shuji Terayama's experimental art film. Pop-oriented and easy-listening music that assimilates Krautrock such as Faust and Neu!, bossa nova and lounge-pop. Strange and lightheaded sound featuring organ and Moog synthesizer. Droning repetitive rhythm. John McEntire from Tortoise joined as a producer for 5 tracks. Includes "Cybele's Reverie".

System 7/Power of Seven7 (1996) *

The UK electronic dance music project by ex-Gong (prog rock band) guitarist Steve Hillage and his wife Miquette Giraudy (keyboards), System 7's 1996 album. Trancey ambient techno inspired by chicago house and Detroit techno. The Orb's Alex Paterson, Derrick May, Carl Craig and others joined. The first track 'Interstate' samples the German rock band, Neu!'s "Hallogallo".

Frank Sinatra/In the Wee Small Hours (1955)

The American jazz/popular singer, Frank Sinatra's 1955 album. Released on the Capitol Records. A concept album produced as a collection of ballads with melancholy mood, singing late-night loneliness and sadness of lost love. Includes pop standards such as "In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning" (compsed by David Mann), "I Get Along Without You Very Well" (composed by Hoagy Carmichael) and "What is This Thing Called Love" (composed by Cole Porter). Arranged and conducted by Nelson Riddle.

Slade/Get Yer Boots On: The Best of Slade (1971-1984)

The British glam rock band, Slade's best compilation album that includes all their hits in the early 1970s and two comeback hits in the early 1980s, "Run Runaway" and "My Oh My". A very popular band in their home country England. Simple and straightforward bubblegum hard pop full of glitterness and catchy melodies. Includes six songs topped the UK charts, "Coz I Luv You", "Take Me Bak' Ome", "Mama Weer All Crazee Now", "Cum on Feel the Noize" (also known as the song covered by Quiet Riot and Oasis), "Skweeze Me, Pleeze Me" and "Merry Xmas Everybody".

Saint Etienne/Foxbase Alpha (1992)

The dance pop trio from England, Saint Etienne's debut album. Indie pop that fuses the 1960s British pop and club/dance rhythms like disco and house. Elegant and sophisticated sound featuring synths, sampler and female vocalist Sarah Cracknell's breathy vocals. A hit song "Only Love Can Break Your Heart" is a cover of Neil Young. "Kiss and Make Up" is a cover of the Field Mice's "Let's Kiss and Make Up".

Mark Stewart/As the Veneer of Democracy Starts to Fade (1985)

Ex-the Pop Group vocalist, Mark Stewart's second solo album released on the Mute Records. Industrial noise/electro funk in hip-hop style with a collage of cutup (shredding) sounds. Keith LeBlanc (drums), Doug Wimbish (bass) and Skip McDonald (guitar) from Tackhead joined. Produced by Adrian Sherwood and Mark Stewart.

Stuff/Stuff (1976)

An all-star fusion band formed by New York-based studio players; Gordon Edwards (bass), Steve Gadd (drums), Eric Gale (guitar), Cornell Dupree (guitar) and Richard Tee (keyboards). The debut album. R&B-based instrumental sound with funky rhythms.

Scorpions/Virgin Killer (1976)

A heavy metal band from Germany, the Scorpions' fourth album. A German metal masterpiece featuring Uli (Ulrich) Jon Roth's flowing lead guitar and Klaus Meine's high-toned vocals. Includes 'Pictured Life' and 'Virgin Killer'. The controversial original cover is banned in Europe, but in Japan released with original cover.

The Sundays/Reading, Writing and Arithmetic (1990)

Simple and refreshing guitar pop featuring the female vocalist Harriet Wheeler. The sound is like the Smiths and the Cocteau Twins. The debut album released on Rough Trade (#4 on the U.K. charts/#39 on the U.S.). Includes a hit song "Here's Where the Story Ends".

Suicidal Tendencies/Suicidal Tendencies (1983)

The rock band led by vocalist Mike Muir. Formed in Venice, CA. The debut album that includes a single track "Institutionalized". Heavy-metal oriented hardcore punk. Called 'skatepunk', since they gained popularity among skateboarders.

Strawberry Alarm Clock/Incense and Peppermints [Collection] (1967-1969)

The California-based pop group. A compilation that collects ten tracks from their four albums for UNI Records. Soft-rock oriented psychedelic bubblegum pop. The title track "Incense and Peppermints" is a smash hit that reached #1 on the US charts in 1967. The main songwriter is George Bunnell (bass). The lead guitarist Ed King joined Lynyrd Skynyrd later.

The Small Faces/The Small Faces [Deram] (1966)

The British mod band led by Steve Marriott (guitar, vocals), the Small Faces' debut album released on the Deram label. The digitally-remastered edition with five rare tracks from a French EP. R&B-infected sound like the early Who. More soulful and cooler than the Who's "My Generation" (1965). Includes "What'cha Gonna Do About It" (#14 on the UK charts) and "Sha-La-La-La-Lee" (#3 on the UK charts). "Shake" is a cover of Sam Cooke.

Stray Cats/Greatest Hits (1980-1989)

The key group of the early 1980s rockabilly revival, Stray Cats' best compilation. A three-piece band led by guitarist/vocalist Brian Setzer. Features "Rock This Town", "Stray Cat Strut", "(She's) Sexy + 17" and "Runaway Boys". "Race With the Devil" is a cover of Gene Vincent.

SPK/Leichenschrei (1982)

An experimental industrial/noise rock band from Australia. The sound featuring metal percussions, like Throbbing Gristle.

Santana/Caravanserai (1972)

The Latin-tinged rock band led by Carlos Santana, a guitarist born in Mexico. The fourth album. Instrumental-based, fusion/jazz-oriented sound featuring funky Latin percussion.

Boz Scaggs/Silk Degrees (1976)

Ex-Steve Miller Band member singer/songwriter. His sixth album and a mega hit that reached number two on the US album charts. A monumental masterpiece of adult-oriented rock, so-called 'adult-contemporary'. Urbanized and sophisticated sound in a "blue-eyed soul" style. Features the two smash hit singles, "Lowdown" and "Lido Shuffle", and an excellent ballad "We're All Alone".

Scraping Foetus off the Wheel/Hole (1984) *

J.G. (Jim) Thirlwell, going by the name of Foetus, is a musician from Melbourne, Australia. The third album released under the name of 'Scraping Foetus off the Wheel'. A masterpiece of post-punk industrial rock. Noisy and ultra-powerful, but beautiful like junk art. Then-innovative sound featuring metallic percussion and hip-hop method. Cool.

Scritti Politti/Songs to Remember (1982)

The UK new wave band featuring Green Gartside (guitar, vocals). Debut album released on Rough Trade. Sophisticated pop sounds highly influenced by reggae, funk, jazz and soul.

Scritti Politti/Cupid & Psyche 85 (1985) *

2nd album released on Virgin Records. Dance-oriented synth-pop sounds in the soul music style. Includes lots of hits, like "Absolute", "Wood Beez" and "Hypnotize".

Pete Seeger/Pete Seeger's Greatest Hits (?)

An American folk singer. A collection of his live recordings. Includes "Where Have All the Flowers Gone", "We Shall Overcome" and "Turn! Turn! Turn!" (well-known as the Byrds' hit).

Sex Pistols/Never Mind the Bollocks (1977) *

One of the London punks. Produced by Chris Thomas and Bill Price.

The Shamen/En-Tact (1990)

Includes masterpieces of UK acid-house, such as "Progen" (also known as "Move Any Mountain"), "Omega Amigo" and "Hyperreal".

Silicon Teens/Music for Parties (1980)

Techno-pop sound by Daniel Miller of Mute Records. Includes many covers of '50s and '60s pop.

Simon and Garfunkel/Sounds of Silence (1966) *

2nd album. Includes lots of fine pieces. Paul Simon's songwriting is brilliant.

Simply Red/Picture Book (1985)

A white soul band from Manchester. 1st album. Includes No. 1 hit on the UK and US charts "Holding Back the Years".

Siouxsie and the Banshees/The Scream (1978)

A New Wave band from the UK. Cool sounds, like the New York punks. 1st album.

The Slits/Cut (1979)

The all-girl punk band formed in 1976, when the vocalist Ari Upp was 14 years old. Did the opening act for the Clash's tour of England in 1977. The debut album produced by Dennis Bovell. The simple post-punk sound in the dub/reggae style. Budgie (later joined Siouxsie & the Banshees) guested as a support drummer.

Sly & Robbie/Taxi Fare (1986)

A compilation of reggae single tracks produced by the great rhythm section and production team from Kingston, Jamaica, Sly Dunbar (drums) and Robbie Shakespeare (bass).

Sly & the Familystone/There's a Riot Goin' On (1971)

Remarkable for its loose and funky grooves by using rhythm-box. Very influential in the 1970s funk and Prince.

Sly & the Familystone/Fresh (1973)

The rhythm ensemble by Rusty Allen (bass) and Andy Newmark (drums) is funky and cool.

Smashing Pumpkins/Siamese Dream (1993)

An alternative rock band formed with the frontman Billy Corgan (vocals, guitar and songwriting) in Chicago in 1988. This second album is a blockbuster sold more than four million. A lyrical and melancholy sound with acoustic/distorted guitars and whispering/screaming style of singing.

The Smiths/The Smiths (1984)

A guitar band from Manchester. Featuring Johnny Marr (guitar) and Morrissey (vocals). 1st album.

The Smiths/"Hatful of Hollow" (1984) *

A collection of singles and live recordings for radio shows.

The Smiths/The Queen is Dead (1986)

Maybe this 3rd album is a masterpiece of their studio recordings.

Soft Cell/Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret (1982) *

Song-oriented electro-pop. This 1st album is excellent. Includes a smash hit "Tainted Love".

The Soft Machine/Volume Two (1969)

A progressive art-rock group featuring Robert Wyatt (vocals and drums). Odd time signatures and jazzy improvisations.

Sonic Youth/Daydream Nation (1988)

The alternative/noise rock band formed by Thurston Moore (guitar and vocals), Kim Gordon (bass, guitar) and Lee Ranaldo (guitar) in New York in 1981. Influencd by the late-1960s experimental noise rock such as the Velvet Underground and the Stooges, and harcore punk/post-punk/no wave of the late 1970s and early 1980s. Guitar-based sound with feedback noise and dissonance. A masterpiece of their indie-label days. Released as a double album on vinyl.

Sonic Youth/Goo (1990)

The first album released on major-label Geffen. The tracks are more concentrated, sharp and brisk than the previous work "Daydream Nation". Features the single "Kool Thing" Public Enemy's Chuck D joined.

Soul II Soul/Club Classics Vol.One (1989)

Dance music from London's club scene. Includes "Keep on Movin'".

Sparks/Kimono My House (1974)

Queer pop band from the US. Cheap sounds of organ. Operatic vocals.

Sparks/No.1 in Heaven (1979) *

An excellent techno-pop album. produced by Giorgio Moroder.

The Specials/Specials (1979) *

Punky ska/reggae beats and catchy melodies. 1st album. Produced by Elvis Costello.

Phil Spector/Back to Mono (1958-1969) *

A collection of the tracks produced by Phil Spector. A box set of 4 discs. Includes "Da Doo Ron Ron" (The Crystals) and "Be My Baby" (The Ronettes).

The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion/Orange (1994)

A noise/junk/scuzz-rock band featuring ex-Pussy Galore guitarist, Jon Spencer. The bass-less trio with two distorted guitars. The noisy sound based on blues and R&B is cool.

The Spinners/A One of a Kind Love Affair- the Anthology (1972-1982)

A soul group from Philadelphia. Catchy melodies and sophisticated sounds.

Bruce Springsteen/Born to Run (1975)

A rock & roller/singer/songwriter who had been influenced by Bob Dylan. The third album. His early hit (No.3 in the US album charts). Driving and emotionally explosive sounds. Includes 'Thunder Road', 'Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out' and 'Born to Run'.

Squeeze/Cool for Cats (1979)

Chris Difford and Glenn Tilbrook were called "Lennon and McCartney in the 1980s" in those days. British pop of superior quality. 2nd album.

Squeeze/East Side Story (1981) *

The melody lines are great. 4th album. Elvis Costello joined.

Steely Dan/Aja (1977)

A masterpiece of jazzy and sophisticated rock.

Sting/The Dream of the Blue Turtles (1985)

1st solo album. Includes lots of hits, like "If You Love Somebody Set Them Free".

The Stone Roses/The Stone Roses (1989)

A guitar band from Manchester. Popular melodies and danceable beats.

The Style Council/Café Bleu (1984)

Featuring Paul Weller (vocals and guitar). A stylish soul-funk-jazz band.

The Style Council/Our Favorite Shop (1985)

2nd album. No. 1 on the UK album charts. Includes "Walls Come Tumbling Down!".

The Sugarcubes/Life's Too Good (1988)

A New Wave style pop band from Iceland. Featuring Björk (vocals).

Suicide/Suicide (the first album) (1977)

One of the New York Punks. The duo of Alan Vega (vocals) and Martin Rev (instruments). Experimental sounds with Alan Vega's bizarre vocals and rhythm machine, keyboards and synths by Martin Rev. Monotonic, repetitive beats like minimalism. First album.

Matthew Sweet/Girlfriend (1991)

US Guitar pop of good quality with sweet and wistful melodies, like power pop. Third album. Lloyd Cole (guitar), Robert Quine (guitar, ex-Richard Hell and the Voidoids) and Richard Lloyd (ex-Television) joined.

Swing Out Sister/The Best of Swing Out Sister (1986-1995)

Light jazz-pop. Includes No. 4 hit on the UK charts "Breakout".

David Sylvian/Brilliant Trees (1984) *

1st solo album released after Japan disbanded. Acoustic-oriented sounds with jazz overtones. Includes "Red Guitar".

System F/Out of the Blue (2000)

The debut album of System F, one of the solo projects of Ferry Corsten, a DJ/producer from Rotterdam, Netherlands. Features 2 UK top 20 hits, "Out of the Blue" and "Cry", and also the single "Soul on Soul", which is a collaboration with ex-Soft Cell vocalist, Marc Almond. "Out of the Blue" (1999) is one of the world-famous trance hits. "Trance" is melodic and spacey dance music in European style, rooted in acid house and Detroit techno.