Marvin Gaye "Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler)"

It's snowing. It's payday. Both those things make me think of this song, for very different reasons.

Main Source feat. Nas, Joe Fatal & Akinyele "Live At The Barbeque"

Back-to-back Large Professor? Get used to it. Nas & Akiynele's debut, and don't forget the slept-on Joe Fatal, off Breaking Atoms.

Main Source "Fakin the Funk"

Duck season is now open. Large Professor all day, eryday. Released as 12" single, as well as on the White Men Can't Jump soundtrack.

Lee "Scratch" Perry "People Funny Boy"

The greatest song ever recorded.

Bobby "Blue" Bland "Ain't No Love in the Heart of the City"

You already know what it is, blood.

Johnny Pate "Shaft in Africa (Addis)"

Classic B-Boy shit from the man who produced and recorded many of The Impressions catalog, as well as work for Curtis Mayfield's Curtom Records, Johnny Pate. From the soundtrack to the film.

Bar-Kays "In the Hole"

Stax session band comes with this funky instrumental. Originally released as the B-side for for Copy Kat (Volt 4007) in 1968, it was included on their 1969 album Gotta Groove. Better quality here.

Too $hort "In the Trunk (Glove Compartment Mix)"

Too $hort, eternal proof that simplicity in lyrics doesn't mean the song is garbage. Preem on the beat for this remix. The original was on his 1992 album Shorty the Pimp.

Ayatollah "Coonskin"

Respected Hip Hop producer/beatmaker from Queens, NYC, who's worked with countless dope MCs. This song is off his collection of unreleased beats from 2008 called Louder. Highly recommended.

The Pogues & Kirsty MacColl "Fairytale of New York"

It wouldn't be winter without this one.

"It was Christmas Eve babe, in the drunk tank..."

RUN DMC "Christmas In Hollis"

The Stooges "Down on the Street"

The song that kicks off one of the greatest albums ever made, Funhouse (1970).

Ramones "My Brain Is Hanging Upside Down (Bonzo Goes To Bitburg)"

Found on the LP Animal Boy (1986), but originally released as a single in the UK (1985), under the title "Bonzo Goes to Bitburg". The song, written by band members Joey & Dee Dee along with producer & Plasmatics member Jean Beauvoir, takes then US President Ronald Reagan to task for holding a press conference, meant to pay tribute to victims of Nazism, at a German military cemetery that was the burial place for a bunch o' Nazis. The title is a reference to a movie he made with a chimpanzee. It wasn't released as a single in the US for due to political reasons both at the label and within the band. In '86 they changed the title and released it as a B-side. One of my favorite Ramones songs.

"If there's one thing that makes me sick, is when someone tries to hide behind politics. I wish their time would go by fast, somehow they manage to make it last."

Big L "Devil's Son"

This was the first song I remember hearing Big L on after the "Yes You May (Remix)." ILL beat credited to Showbiz, Buckwild, Lord Finesse & Craig Boogie. Off the promo 12" from 1993 on Columbia. Back when artists on major labels could still scare people.

Augusto Santos "Con El Amor No Se Juega"

Off the online compilation La Bachata 50 Aniversario, legend Augusto Santos sings his heart out like only an old school bachata dude could.

Tha Alkaholiks "DAAAM!"

One of the dopest beats ever made. Off their debut LP 21 & Over (1994).

Robert Johnson "Rambling On My Mind" (Take 2)

Recorded Monday, November 23, 1936 in San Antonio, Texas. The original version, not the tedious remake. All of his recorded material was put down in only five days.

Cock Sparrer "We're Coming Back"

This is the motherfuckin' ANTHEM. Shock Troopers (1983) is the album. Oi! is the sound. "So remember, out there, somewhere, you've got a friend, and you'll ne-ver walk alone again." Words to carry witchu.

Siah & Yeshua dapoED "Gravity"

Originally off The Visualz EP (1996) on Bobbito "The Barber" Garcia's classic Fondle 'Em label. It's more readily available on The Visualz Anthology, which was released in 2008 by Traffic Entertainment Group.

Edo.G "304s"

from the Dedicated EP (1996). Boston/Hip Hop legend Edo had to let 'em know that he is not the one.

The Joubert Singers "Stand on the Word (Larry Levan Mix)"

Now I don't like disco, or religion, but I love this song. Released in 1985 on Next Plateau, the same label that released the first Ultramagnetic MC's album, the seminal Critical Beatdown.

Bessie Smith "Do Your Duty"

When Bessie wants some, you best be ready.

NYG'z "Ready?"

off their upcoming Hustler's Union: Local NYG LP, due out in 2010 on DJ Premier's Year Round Records. Produced by Prem, the beat was originally offered to 50, but he turned it down. If you listen to the scratches on the chorus, it's his voice.

Pavement "Box Elder"

off Slay Tracks: 1933-1969 (1989), though more widely available on Westing (By Musket And Sextant) (1993).

Duke Ellington & John Coltrane "In a Sentimental Mood"

off Duke Ellington & John Coltrane (1962).

Intelligent Hoodlum (bka Tragedy Khadafi) "Street Life (Return Of The Life Mix)"

off Street Life/Mad Brothers Know His Name 12" (1993). Remixed by K-Def. Original found on his Tragedy - Saga Of A Hoodlum album. One of the most underrated MCs to ever put it down. Influence to all Queensbridge rappers. Free Tragedy!

Melvin Van Peebles "Won't Bleed Me"

from Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song (An Opera) (1971), the soundtrack for the movie, released on Stax Records. The backing band was none other than Earth, Wind & Fire.

(ed. note: Original post contained the song "Come on Feet." However that song was removed by the youtubes)

The Upsetters "Stay Dread"

from the Stay Dread/Kingdom Of Dub 7" (1975).

Arthur Verocai "Pela Sombras"

from his S/T album (1972).

ed. note: Original post contained the song "Dedicade A Ela"... so hear it is...

Ennio Morricone "Man with a Harmonica"

from the soundtrack to "Once Upon a Time in the West" (1969).