5 Albums I Can’t Live Without by Ivan Doroschuk
From the shores of Vancouver Island, where I currently call Victoria home, my musical journey has been a wild, wonderful expedition. Having moved here just twenty-five years ago, I’ve found that the landscape—and my music collection—mirrors a wonderfully eclectic sensibility. It’s a life spent chasing sound, and finding that perfect frequency, whether it’s the thumping rhythm of disco or the deep, exploratory textures of free jazz.
My taste runs deep, incorporating everything from the playful anarchy of early 1970s free jazz masters like Anthony Braxton and Roscoe Mitchell, to the sophisticated, sprawling landscapes of Prog and Canterbury bands such as King Crimson and Gentle Giant. This love for complexity extends to the electronic side, with a heavy appreciation for Sun Ra albums and the hypnotic grooves of King Tubby. My preferred format has always been analog, much to the joy of having over 1,500 albums stored on my phone, delivered via the trusty cassette or MP3.
The true heart of my musical life, however, lies in those few essential records that define the soundtrack of my existence. There are five albums that stand out as absolute must-listens, each offering a unique, unforgettable experience:
1. You by Gong
This record is the final, spectacular chapter in the Radio Gnome Invisible trilogy. It marks a pivotal moment in the band’s history, capturing the essence of Gong and Soft Machine’s founder, Daevid Allen’s artistic vision. It features stunning synthesizer work and guitar brilliance that cemented the early Gong sound, leaving an indelible mark on my appreciation for space-age jam music.
2. Outside the Dream Syndicate by Tony Conrad with Faust
An exploration of boundaries and performance art, this collaboration with Tony Conrad and the experimental group Faust is simply brilliant. It showcases a fearless approach to sound, reminding you that music can be anything, anywhere. It’s a testament to the power of cross-genre collaboration, full of unexpected moments and profound energy.
3. Free Jazz, Ornette Coleman
For a pure, mind-blowing experience, nothing compares to this masterpiece. Ornette Coleman assembled an eight-piece double quartet of legendary players, including Don Cherry and Eric Dolphy, each channel offering a unique perspective. Listening to this, often simultaneously on vinyl and CD, is a quadruple quartet experience that is both calming and exhilarating.
4. Rock Your Baby by George McCrae
In my estimation, this album is the pinnacle of disco. It’s a collection of danceable, classically constructed tracks that feel like variations on a theme, giving you that perfect, joyful rhythm. It effortlessly blends infectious grooves with a timeless, sophisticated feel, making it a masterclass in dance music.
5. Killing Technology by Voivod
A truly ground-breaking, genre-creating statement from my Montreal-based musical circle. This record exhibits the hungry, raw energy of a band finding their stride, perfectly capturing a moment of hungry rage and sublime, surreal artistry. The visual elements, especially the artwork, are just as compelling as the music itself, embodying a powerful, unforgettable spirit.
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