1-50

1 Funkadelic America Eats Its Young

Sandwiched between the freak-o-delia of 1971’s Maggot Brain and the tightly-wound funk of 1973’s Cosmic Slop, the sprawling, free-wheeling fourth Funkadelic platter had more bounce to the ounce than any double LP of its era. Damn stanky too — as the down-low, musk-laden grooves of “Pussy” and the title track evidence. — Fred Mills

2. The Band — S/T

3. Maxayn — S/T

4. Labelle — Moonshadow

5. The Allman Brothers Band — Live at Fillmore East

6. Harry Nilsson — Nilsson Schmilsson

7. Leon Russell — S/T

8. Wet Willie — Keep On Smilin’

9. Bobby Womack — Communication

10. Curtis Mayfield — Curtis

11. War — The World Is A Ghetto

12. Santana — III

13 Laura Nyro Gonna Take A Miracle

The late Nyro was one of the 1960s’ most accomplished and promising singer-songwriters. This 1971 LP, consisting entirely of classic R&B and Brill Building pop covers, features the equally formidable Labelle. On the title cut, Nyro’s sweet piercing tones entwine with the former Bluebelles to yield stunning results. — Kandia Crazy Horse

14. Grateful Dead — Workingman’s Dead

15. Stephen Stills — Manassas

16. Nick Drake — Bryter Layter

17. Lynyrd Skynyrd — Second Helping

18. Isaac Hayes — Hot Buttered Soul

19. The Allman Brothers Band — Eat A Peach

20. Hugh Masekela — Hugh Masekela & Union of South Africa

21. Gil Scott-Heron & Brian Jackson — From South Africa to South Carolina

22. Shuggie Otis — Inspiration Information

23. Wayne Shorter — Native Dancer

24. Karen Dalton — In My Own Time

25. Steely Dan — The Royal Scam

26 Various Artists The Harder They Come

The hippies may believe reggae begins and ends with Bob Marley, but the ’70s were to Jamaican music what the ’60s were to rock: an era of unparalleled invention. Equally vital artists Jimmy Cliff (who starred in the movie), Toots & the Maytals, Desmond Dekker, and the Melodians all make this soundtrack an essential reggae document. — John Schacht

27. Buckingham Nicks — S/T

28. Donny Hathaway — Extensions Of A Man

29. Gene Clark — No Other

30. Voices of East Harlem — Right On Be Free

31. Galt MacDermot — Cotton Comes to Harlem

32. Richie Havens — Alarm Clock

33. Michael Jackson — Off The Wall

34. Bill Withers — Just As I Am

35. Earth Wind & Fire — That’s The Way of the World

36. Johnny Jenkins — Ton Ton Macoute

37. Fela Kuti — He Miss Road

38. Kris Kristofferson — Jesus Was a Capricorn

39. Candi Staton — Stand By Your Man

40. Sly & the Family Stone — Small Talk

41. Ohio Players — Fire

42. The Spinners — New And Improved Spinners

43. Chaka Khan — Chaka

44 Little Feat Feats Don’t Fail Me Now

Nothing fails here, as this record somewhat bases itself on the Southern-fried funkiness of “Dixie Chicken” but brings on the guitars to really rock. Simply put, it’s a great live band at their peak and lucky for us it’s captured on vinyl. The title track and “Oh Atlanta” are highlights. — Lynn Farris

45. Patti Smith — Horses

46. Mott The Hoople — All the Young Dudes

47. ELO — ELO II

48. Stooges — Raw Power

49. The Who — Who’s Next

50. Flamin’ Groovies — Shake Some Action

Rocks Off

Top 200 albums of the ’70s

• Intro
• 1-50
• 51-108
• 109-200
• Aerosmith: Rockin’ the Joint

This article appears in Sep 20-26, 2006.