The Message (40th Anniversary Edition) vinyl

Has there ever been a more influential rap record than Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five's 'The Message'? Widely considered the first 'conscious' hip-hop record thanks to lyrics that provide a searing commentary on inner-city life during the Reagan era (previously, most rap tracks had been unabashed party jams), the track's far-sighted musical backing and killer synth bassline (later the inspiration for the similarly memorable B-line in Pet Shop Boys' 'West End Girls') was also highly influential and remains seriously futurist in tone. If you don't own a copy already, we'd recommend snapping up this reissue, which also boasts (on the B-side) the lesser-celebrated, vocal-free instrumental mix.