Back when there were still record stores I used to love to visit Tower Records on lower Broadway here in New York City. I could easily kill an hour or two browsing the many aisles of vinyl and cassette tapes (remember them?). At the time, no trip to Tower Records was complete without picking up a free copy of their monthly magazine 'Pulse!' which contained record reviews, interviews and advertising. I would read the magazine cover to cover on my train ride back home to New Jersey plotting out a wish list of purchases on my next visit to the store.
One of my favorite features in Pulse! was 'Desert Island Discs' which published the lists of top ten records readers would take with them if they were stranded on a deserted island. Despite the contrived conceit, I loved the column, because it forced music lovers to really cut to the chase and often resulted in some fascinating and eclectic results. What really were your favorite, must have records? What was the cream of the crop of all that vinyl in your bedroom? What bands and songs had made such an impression on your psyche and soul that would you want them to keep you company in your isolated solitude.
In the spirit of 'Desert Island Discs' the online music magazine The Quietus has begun a similar endeavor wherein they ask musicians to share a 'Baker's Dozen' list of their favorite records of all time. The kicker here is that the musicians provide an in-depth soliloquy on the impact each record had on them, proving that at the end of the day we are all music fans!
The current online version of The Quietus includes a list of Madness lead sing Sugg's favorite records of all time. While no one will be surprised that Suggs is a fan of early reggae and punk (King Tubby Meets Rockers Uptown, The Harder They Come soundtrack, The Clash) he also includes a few interesting choices that might surprise hardcore and casual fans alike.
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