Author of The Secret List, a series of guide books on record shop capitals around the world, Sanjiv Ahluwalia was also a music journalist, including as a regular contributor to Blues and Soul and Shook magazines as well as BBC online. For us, he selects five pieces from his collection. Eclectic!
 
 
 

Talib Kibwe
Pinacle Of Joy

“I love this record. I bought a copy from French record dealer Victor Kiswell because it featured one of my favourite pianists and Paris resident Bobby Few. I played ‘Pinnacle of Joy’, which has a very fast and funky flute intro, at a club in London and Gilles Peterson, no less, came over and took a photo of the album cover!”

Craig Hundley Trio
Arrival

“I picked up this record in Los Angeles as I was intrigued by the album cover: three smiling teenagers bathed in the Californian sunshine. Craig Hundley was a child television star and as the track ‘Arrival’ suggests also a seriously good pianist.”

XTC
Jason And The Argonauts

“Britain was a hot bed of musical creativity in the eighties, not least in the pop mainstream where bands like XTC were pushing the envelope. ‘Jason and the Argonauts’ is brilliant; English eccentricity mixed with prototype house.”

The Colourfield
I Can’t Get Enough You Baby

“I love Terry Hall, he’s a musical genius. I think he was way ahead of his time and never given the recognition he deserves. ‘I Can’t Get Enough of you Baby’ is performed by his band The Colourfield who lasted just two albums but set the stall for later music trends. The track is from the Japanese issue of the album.”

Futura 2000 (feat. The Clash)
The Escapades of Futura 2000

“I love street art, especially graffiti, and Futura 2000 is one of my favourite artists – I once travelled from London to Paris just to see an exhibition of his. ‘The Escapades of Futura 2000’ is an early hip hop record he cut with none other than The Clash as the backing band. The instrumental version is particularly good.”