The Rolling Stones - Aftermath

Aftermath finds The Rolling Stones pushing their blues and R&B roots into much more adventurous territory. Released in 1966, it was the band's first album made entirely from Jagger/Richards compositions, with Brian Jones expanding the sonic palette through sitar, dulcimer, marimba and other unusual instrumentation.

For the crate digger, there's plenty to explore: “Paint It, Black” opens with one of rock's most instantly recognisable riffs, while “Under My Thumb” rides a deep, hypnotic groove driven by Bill Wyman's bass and Charlie Watts' drums. “Goin' Home” stretches into an extended jam, giving the rhythm section room to breathe, while tracks such as “It's Not Easy” and “Think” reveal the band's continuing connection to raw R&B and soul.

Aftermath is an essential digging record because it sits at the crossroads of blues, R&B, soul, psychedelia and early rock experimentation. The grooves, drum breaks, basslines, guitar figures and distinctive percussion have made the Stones' mid-'60s catalogue a rich source for DJs, producers and sample hunters. For anyone digging for the musical DNA behind Hip-Hop, breaks and funk, Aftermath is a record worth pulling from the shelf and playing beyond the obvious hits.