 |
 Time (Electric Light Orchestra, 1981) |
| Regardless of its loose overarching storyline and the connection to Daicon IV, Time stands in the crossroads of ELO creatively, bringing them into the 1980's with a new focus on synthesizers. No low points here, truly a "timeless" album. |
 |
Cosmos (Yuji Ohno, 1981) |
| Just a really stellar album by anime soundtrack great Yuji Ohno. The tracks vary from slow, hypnotic melodies to aggressive space funk, all with a unified cosmic theme. A must for fans of Ohno's Lupin III scores. |
 |
E=MC2 (Giorgio Moroder, 1979) |
| Before Flashdance and Electric Dreams, Moroder released a gemstone of early electronic dance music. E=MC2 breaks free from conventional disco and becomes something more. I can't recommend this album enough, it's unlike anything i've heard. |
 |
X-Dreams (Self-Titled, 1984) |
| An obscure 80's New Wave album brought to the public eye recently, X-Dreams is simple and cheap, but very competent in its execution. I'd say this album is worth listening to, if you can even find it at all (Good luck with that). |
 |
Dolphin Kick (Hiroshi Murai, 1989) |
| A good cut of late 80's Japanese AOR. Lots of variation in the style here, from mellow synth ballads to more traditional rock songs. I'm a sucker for albums with a nautical or summer theme, so this is an obvious favorite. |
 |
Time And Tide (Basia, 1987) |
| Here's a good example of Sophisti-pop, with influences from from pop, jazz and new wave. Basia broke into a wider international market with this album's clear Brazilian influence. It is truly of its time. Nothing like this is made anymore. |
