#214 - The Harder They Come, Jimmy Cliff

"In 1973, when the movie The Harder They Come was released, reggae was not on the radar screen of American pop culture. The soundtrack went a ways toward changing that situation. It is a collection of consistently excellent early reggae songs by artists who went on to thrive with reggae's increased popularity and others for whom this is the most well-known vehicle. Jimmy Cliff is both the star of the movie and the headliner on the soundtrack." (allmusic guide)

#213 - The Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill, Lauryn Hill

"The solo debut from the Fugee's front-woman, Miseducation topped the charts, won several Grammy awards, and helped jump-start the "neo-soul" revolution. Blending hip-hop, R&B, soul, and pop, it fast became one of 1998's best-selling and most-praised albums. Includes the hit singles "Doo Wop (That Thing)" and "Everything Is Everything."" (real music guide)

#212 - Liege & Lief, Fairport Convention

"For their fourth album, Fairport Convention released what is regarded by many as not only the best record in their history but also one of the seminal English folk-rock albums of all time. This was also the album that marked the transformation of the group from, essentially, a rock band that utilized folk music (in tandem with modern singer/songwriter material) as a source for part of their sound, and an inspiration for their own songwriting, into a group specializing in reinterpreting traditional English songs." (allmusic guide)

#211 - Rumor and Sigh, Richard Thompson

"1991's Rumor and Sigh is arguably the best album for those wanting to sample Thompson's work for the first time. It captures Thompson at the top of his form on all fronts, but also gives his songs just enough polish to make them approachable for the unconverted, and though it's several shades darker than the average adult-contemporary album, it honors Thompson's obsession with romantic despair and the less pleasant quirks of fate without sounding depressing in the process." (allmusic guide)

#210 - In The Court Of The Crimson King, King Crimson

"As if somehow prophetic, King Crimson projected a darker and edgier brand of post-psychedelic rock. Likewise, they were inherently intelligent -- a sort of thinking man's Pink Floyd. Fripp demonstrates his innate aptitude for contrasts, and the value of silence within a performance, even as far back as "21st Century Schizoid Man." The song is nothing short of the aural antecedent to what would become the entire heavy alternative/grunge sound." (allmusic guide)

#209 - It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back, Public Enemy

"After shocking the world with their stellar debut, Yo! Bum Rush The Show, Public Enemy come back even harder on their second full-length. Armed with essential jams like "Don't Believe the Hype," "Night of the Living Baseheads" and "Rebel Without a Pause," Chuck, Flav and co. deliver one of the greatest LPs in hip-hop history." (real music guide)