Posted by & filed under Blog, Interviews, Picks 10 Albums.

Dan Nakamura aka Dan the Automator is a Hip-Hop producer known for his work in Dr. Octagon, Handsome Boy Modeling School, Gorillaz, Deltron 3030 and Got a Girl. We asked Dan to pick 10 albums and he responded with this list of 10 LPs he loves that have influenced him in various ways.

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Serge Gainsbourg, Histoire de Melody Nelson

This is one of my favorite LPs of all time. The arrangements are impeccable. The usage of a small string section with a rock band done to perfection. Specifically Lovage and Got a Girl owe a debt of gratitude to this record.

 

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The Beach Boys, Pet Sounds

Beautiful songwriting and arrangements by a master (Brian Wilson).

 

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Radiohead, Ok Computer

Just an amazing work. It brought a full story and emotional roller coaster to the modern rock record. As a side note we were lucky enough to tour with them and spy on their gear (watching a space echo just loop “I woke up sucking on a lemon” all through soundcheck, awesome!)

 

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Portishead, Dummy

A record I wish I made. Just so dark and sultry. Incredible.

 

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Brand Nubian, All for One

Musical rhyming on just the next level. Puba and Sadat are two of the best ever and Jamar wasn’t bad either.

 

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Can, Ege Bamyasi

Just amazing. I don’t know how they did it but it is always inspirational

 

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Eric B and Rakim, Paid in Full

The slow flow. Changed everything.

 

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Mantronik, Music Madness

The illest on the beat box. Made me want to learn how to program beats on the high level.

 

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The Clash, London Calling

If there was a prototype for what English rock, much less rock, should sound like… (Apologies to the Beatles and Stones fans, but I still pick the Clash)

 

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Public Enemy, It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back

The rap version of the wall of sound. The greatest mashing of samples and sound. A huge influence. The Bomb Squad rules!

 

 

Thanks Dan!

Check out this video of Dan’s duo project Got A Girl with Mary Elizabeth Winstead: