Albums of 1972
The records from 1972 that made our lists.
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1Let's Stay TogetherAl Green
Let's Stay Together
Smooth, sensual Memphis soul defined by Green's falsetto and Willie Mitchell's warm production. The title track is a standard for good reason. A bedroom-soul cornerstone.
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2I'm Still in Love with YouAl Green
I'm Still in Love with You
A warm, sensual Hi Records peak. Smooth and beloved. A high point.
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3Young, Gifted and BlackAretha Franklin
Young, Gifted and Black
A soulful, mature peak of gospel-charged R&B. Powerful and acclaimed. A high point.
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4Amazing GraceAretha Franklin
Amazing Grace
A towering live gospel album, the best-selling of her career. Powerful and historic. A landmark.
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5#1 RecordBig Star
#1 Record
The cult power-pop landmark that sold almost nothing on release yet shaped generations of jangly, melodic guitar bands that followed.
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6Still BillBill Withers
Still Bill
Warm, plain-spoken soul of enormous craft, home to 'Lean on Me' and 'Use Me'. Direct and timeless. His finest record.
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7Vol. 4Black Sabbath
Vol. 4
A heavier, more experimental peak, home to 'Supernaut' and 'Snowblind'. Sludgy and assured. A devotee favourite.
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8Give It UpBonnie Raitt
Give It Up
A warm, rootsy early peak of slide guitar and soul. Tuneful and beloved. A fan favourite.
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9Ege BamyasiCan
Ege Bamyasi
A funky, hypnotic krautrock peak, home to 'Vitamin C'. Inventive and beloved. A high point.
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10Return to ForeverChick Corea
Return to Forever
A bright, Latin-tinged fusion landmark of airy grooves. Warm and influential. A genre favourite.
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11Super FlyCurtis Mayfield
Super Fly
A socially conscious soundtrack that outshone its film, layering lush strings and funk over unflinching street narratives. 'Freddie's Dead' and the title track are classics. Beautiful and clear-eyed.
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12CymandeCymande
Cymande
A hypnotic British blend of funk, soul and Afro-Caribbean groove, much sampled since. Deep and influential. A cult treasure.
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13The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from MarsDavid Bowie
The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars
Bowie's glam-rock concept album about a doomed alien rock star turned him into a superstar and changed what a pop performer could be. The songs are tight and theatrical, the playing sharp, the whole thing over in 38 thrilling minutes. The essential entry point to his catalogue.
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14Machine HeadDeep Purple
Machine Head
A hard-rock cornerstone built on 'Smoke on the Water' and tight, heavy riffing. Loud and tuneful. Hugely influential.
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15EaglesEagles
Eagles
A tuneful country-rock debut, home to 'Take It Easy'. Warm and beloved. A strong start.
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16Honky ChateauElton John
Honky Chateau
A warm, tuneful peak, home to 'Rocket Man' and 'Honky Cat'. Beloved and acclaimed. A turning point.
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17FoxtrotGenesis
Foxtrot
An early prog peak, home to the side-long 'Supper's Ready'. Ambitious and beloved. A high point.
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18Thick as a BrickJethro Tull
Thick as a Brick
A sprawling, single-song prog satire of the concept album. Ambitious and beloved. A high point.
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19The Harder They ComeJimmy Cliff
The Harder They Come
The soundtrack that introduced much of the world to reggae, a sharp mix of Cliff's anthems and key genre cuts. Vibrant and historic. An ideal reggae starting point.
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20For the RosesJoni Mitchell
For the Roses
A reflective, jazz-leaning bridge in her catalogue. Beautiful and acclaimed. A grower among fans.
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21TransformerLou Reed
Transformer
Reed's glam-era breakthrough, produced by Bowie, home to 'Walk on the Wild Side' and 'Perfect Day'. Witty, seedy and tuneful. His most accessible record.
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22Trouble ManMarvin Gaye
Trouble Man
A lush, jazzy soundtrack peak of cinematic soul. Smooth and beloved. A cult favourite.
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23On the CornerMiles Davis
On the Corner
A dense, funk-and-electronics landmark divisive on release and later revered. Bold and influential. A cult masterpiece.
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24HarvestNeil Young
Harvest
Young's warmest, most accessible record, full of country-rock comfort and the tender 'Heart of Gold'. His best-selling album for good reason. An easy entry point.
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25Neu!Neu!
Neu!
A minimalist krautrock debut whose motorik beat shaped decades of music. Stark and propulsive. Hugely influential.
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26Pink MoonNick Drake
Pink Moon
Recorded in two nights with just voice and guitar, it is spare, intimate and quietly devastating. Overlooked in his lifetime and now treasured. Hushed perfection.
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27Paul SimonPaul Simon
Paul Simon
An eclectic, tuneful solo debut blending styles with ease. Warm and beloved. A strong start.
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28Obscured by CloudsPink Floyd
Obscured by Clouds
An underrated soundtrack peak of warm, concise songs. Tuneful and beloved. A cult favourite.
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29Sail AwayRandy Newman
Sail Away
A sharp, ironic song-cycle of American satire and lush arrangements. Clever and acclaimed. His masterpiece.
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30Roxy MusicRoxy Music
Roxy Music
An audacious art-rock debut of glam, lounge and the avant-garde. Stylish and strange. Hugely influential.
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31CaravanseraiSantana
Caravanserai
An ambitious, jazzy-instrumental pivot. Bold and acclaimed. A creative high.
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32Can't Buy a ThrillSteely Dan
Can't Buy a Thrill
A sharp, tuneful debut, home to 'Reelin' in the Years' and 'Do It Again'. Polished and beloved. A strong start.
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33Talking BookStevie Wonder
Talking Book
Where Wonder's classic period truly opens up, home to 'Superstition' and 'You Are the Sunshine of My Life'. Warm, funky and melodically rich. A perfect entry to his run of 1970s masterpieces.
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34Music of My MindStevie Wonder
Music of My Mind
The album where Wonder seized creative control, all synths and invention. Bold and beloved. A turning point.
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35The SliderT. Rex
The Slider
A glam peak of boogie hooks, home to 'Metal Guru' and 'Telegram Sam'. Sexy and beloved. A high point.
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36Eat a PeachThe Allman Brothers Band
Eat a Peach
A double album mixing studio and live jamming, partly recorded after Duane's death. Beautiful and beloved. A high point.
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37Exile on Main St.The Rolling Stones
Exile on Main St.
A loose, murky double album cut largely in a French villa basement, where blues, country, gospel and rock'n'roll bleed into one another. It sounded ramshackle on release and is now widely held to be their masterpiece. Let it wash over you a few times before its depth reveals itself.
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38The World Is a GhettoWar
The World Is a Ghetto
A smooth, socially conscious funk-soul peak of Latin and jazz textures. Groovy and warm. A 70s favourite.
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39Close to the EdgeYes
Close to the Edge
Prog at its most refined, three long, intricate suites of dazzling musicianship. Grand and cohesive. Often called their masterpiece.