Recommendation #2: Taking Tiger Mountain (By Strategy)

One of the greats, here! Taking Tiger Mountain (By Strategy) is the second solo Brain Eno album released on Island in 1974. After Eno left Roxy Music in the early 70s, he released a flurry of fantastic solo and collaborative albums where he began exploring music with a new sense of freedom and inspiration. Most notably are the albums 'No Pussyfooting' (1973) with Robert Fripp and his first solo release, Here Come the Warm Jets (1974). Taking Tiger Mountain (By Strategy) though was by some way the most consistent and fully realised release from this early period of his career.

The opening track 'Burning Airlines Give You So Much More' sets up the tone of the album perfectly, providing an introduction to the interesting poly-rhythms and manipulated guitar sounds that continue to play a central role in the music throughout. In fact, the 'groove' in this album as a whole is excellent, and with a quick glance at the liner notes it is clear why this is the case! Robert Wyatt features on most of the album, as well as Phil Collins who plays drums on 'Mother Whale Eyeless'. The album maintains a high intensity right up until the last farewell, 'Taking Tiger Mountain', a wistful and reflective outro that draws the listener into an almost trance-like state. On a slightly different note, The cover art for Taking Tiger Mountain (By Strategy) is another brilliant feature of the album, and perfectly reflects the art-rock music that lies within.

Overall though, there is not much to not like in this release, even for the most casual of listeners, and is the ideal place to start for an Eno introduction. It won't be long before this album becomes a staple in your musical diet, believe me. Cheers, Will.