1. Jabbo Smith “Sleepy Time Blues” – Now, if you haven’t heard of Jabbo Smith, you’re not diggin the music universe archives deep enough. Jabbo Smith was one of New Orleans’ finest, putting Louis Armstrong in duress while competing for the best trumpeter in town. But while Jabbo was drinking his career away, Louis was singing with Ella Fitzgerald and becoming the face of Jazz music. In my opinion, if you are in the mood for some good old fashioned Ragtime, seek Jabbo Smith. He’ll tell you where to put that trumpet.

2. Santo & Johnny “Summertime” – Want to know what Led Zep was listening to before breaking out with their tremendous debut? This was one of the tunes that helped to shape their melancholy blues sound and being that we’re experiencing some fine weather as of late, this one will make you think a little more tenderly of that lost love from a few summers ago.

3. Crystal Castles “Good Time” – Gearing up for PS1 in early July? Of course you are. By now, this song is a bit archaic in the scene but it’s still a good one to bounce to while exploring the nether regions of the Tompkins Square area. Say hi to Petey for me. I gave him a buck in said area to enjoy a beer. Here’s to you, brother.

4. Lady Sovereign “So Human” – The S.O.V. is back with a summertime tune set to The Cure’s “Close to Me”. If you haven’t heard this yet, then get your head out of the ground and go back to school. Her new album is divine and so is Jessica Biel’s ass, who last I heard, was sitting at a restaurant with one of her lady friends (thanks, Aryn).

5. Jeff Buckley “Haven’t You Heard” – Ahh, Jeff Buckley, if you were alive today, pop music would be different. John Mayer wouldn’t be around and I’d still avoid the radio anyway. This is a great Buckley tune that is just as relevant today as when he recorded it. “A brand new power,” and it’s still new.

6. Grateful Dead “Cocaine” – What’s summer without a little fun powder? Driving that train never meant the same again after this was released. I will abstain from further comments. Just listen. I’m sure Zito will kill me for this selection and he would be justified but, goddammit, I can’t help it. I almost placed “Sugaree” here but I will save that for another day, like when my brother Zito is in a coma or something.

7. Bauhaus “I’m Waiting For The Man (Live)” – This cover of this song is dirty, grimy, messy, and all Bauhaus. It’s no secret that The Velvet Underground was instrumental in molding the sound of these post-punk heroes. The lyrics are almost indecipherable and that’s fine by me.

8. The Clash “Bankrobber” – This reggae tune from The Clash is a modern tale of the struggle of a bank robber who stole money for kicks. This sympathetic tale is dually appropriate in this economically defunct era that will haunt this highly-anticipated summer. Do your two-step and spend money before this guy takes it.

9. Rodriguez “Hate Street Dialogue” – How did Sixto Rodriguez escape American ears and find some success in Australia and South Africa? This folk singer from the ’60s and early ’70s brilliantly combined acid rock and folk to create a psychedelic catalogue of music that is just as relevant today as it was back then. This song, which is a play on San Fransisco’s Haight Street, is about what Rodriguez saw what this iconic street really was in the ’60s. I won’t ruin the rest for you. Just find it somewhere.

10. Garnet Mimms “As Long As I Have You” – Another great Led Zeppelin influence from the ’60s that combines soul, big beats, and underground cool. This song will remind you that Rock music is a sweet perversion of black music from the ’50s. That’s right, you read that correctly.