PUT A RECORD ON. SOMETHING ON THE STOVE.
Chopping, tasting, pulling up another chair. A good evening often starts in the kitchen, with a record that can take its time. THE KITCHEN gathers music for behind the stove and at a table that doesn't need to be cleared anytime soon.
MUSIC EXPLAINED.
PUT A RECORD ON. SOMETHING ON THE STOVE.
Why do cooking and vinyl go together? Read about the rhythm of an evening, the space between two voices, and records you want to flip over again.
Read the storyA SELECTION BY SJELF.
THE RECORDS.
Twenty album choices by SJELF, divided into four moments: behind the stove, the first guests, at the table, and lingering a little longer. Choose where you want to start. The years shown are the original album release years; for Spotify editions with extra tracks, a note is included.
BEHIND THE STOVE.
01 / 2005
IN BETWEEN DREAMS.
Jack Johnson
Acoustic guitars, light rhythms, and melodies that feel instantly familiar. A relaxed start as the first ingredients appear on the counter.
Spotify: includes the demo of Constellations as a bonus track.
02 / 1972
STILL BILL.
Bill Withers
The bass on Use Me gives the kitchen movement. Withers keeps his songs clear and direct, from that solid groove to the harmonies of Lean on Me.
03 / 2018
CON TODO EL MUNDO.
Khruangbin
Bass, drums, and winding guitar lines keep each other in motion. The Texan band leaves space between the notes and gives the cooking its own cadence.
04 / 1966
HERB ALPERT PRESENTS SERGIO MENDES & BRASIL ’66.
Sérgio Mendes & Brasil ’66
Brazilian rhythms, piano, and harmonies make Mas Que Nada an invitation. Short, lively, and suitable to flip over once more.
05 / 2012
HOME AGAIN.
Michael Kiwanuka
Soul and acoustic sounds, carried by a voice with a rough edge. The warm arrangements fit the quiet work before everyone arrives.
Spotify: Deluxe Version with extra tracks.
THE FIRST GUESTS.
06 / 1997
BUENA VISTA SOCIAL CLUB.
Buena Vista Social Club
Guitars, piano, and voices that give each other space. From the movement of Chan Chan to the calm of Dos Gardenias: music for a table that slowly fills up.
07 / 1986
GRACELAND.
Paul Simon
Resilient basslines and harmonies keep the evening moving. Listen past the well-known choruses to the musicians who give these songs their motion.
Spotify: US Release with bonus tracks.
08 / 1972
LET’S STAY TOGETHER.
Al Green
A smooth rhythm section and a voice that shifts from whispering to belting. Al Green's soul has enough suppleness for the first conversation.
09 / 1975
FLEETWOOD MAC.
Fleetwood Mac
Monday Morning, Rhiannon, and Say You Love Me each bring a different color to the same band. A melodic record for familiarity without predictability.
10 / 1976
SONGS IN THE KEY OF LIFE.
Stevie Wonder
From the horns on Sir Duke to the movement of Another Star. A rich album that offers multiple paths for a long evening.
Spotify: Reissue with the four songs from the original extra EP.
AT THE TABLE.
11 / 1971
TAPESTRY.
Carole King
Piano, interplay, and songs that feel intimate. Put this on when the plates are out and the conversation can flow along with a familiar chorus.
12 / 1984
DIAMOND LIFE.
Sade
The band surrounding Sade Adu connects soul, jazz tones, and pop with a great sense of space. The bass holds the songs together while the voice quietly tells its story.
13 / 1964
GETZ/GILBERTO.
Stan Getz & João Gilberto
Getz’s tenor saxophone meets Gilberto’s guitar and soft vocals. Bossa nova where small accents say a lot, also featuring the voice of Astrud Gilberto.
Spotify: includes two short single versions as extra tracks.
14 / 1956
ELLA AND LOUIS.
Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong
Two very different voices that complement each other beautifully. Their interplay has the naturalness of a good conversation at the table.
15 / 2010
HOLD ON TIGHT.
Solomon Burke & De Dijk
Solomon Burke and De Dijk meet in soul that’s allowed to sound expansive. A shared record with power, warmth, and room for a grand gesture.
LINGERING A LITTLE LONGER.
16 / 2002
COME AWAY WITH ME.
Norah Jones
Piano, a soft voice, and songs at the intersection of jazz, country, and soul. A natural transition to the moment when no one is in a hurry anymore.
17 / 1998
MOON SAFARI.
AIR
Round basslines, soft keys, and plenty of space. La femme d’argent opens up a different atmosphere once dinner is over and the lights can be turned down a bit.
18 / 1971
WHAT’S GOING ON.
Marvin Gaye
Warm soul with urgent questions about war, poverty, and the world around us. A choice for post-dinner conversation and for a moment where you really follow the lyrics.
Spotify: includes two single versions as extra tracks.
19 / 1970
CURTIS.
Curtis Mayfield
Strings, percussion, and a voice that balances hope and unrest. Be sure to listen to the long album version of Move on Up.
Spotify: Expanded Edition with demos and extra tracks.
20 / 1965
PASTEL BLUES.
Nina Simone
From the spare opening to the long Sinnerman, Simone builds the tension. Save this for the end, when the music can get your full attention.
These albums are listening recommendations. Check the current vinyl inventory for each artist or sign up for updates.
THE MAKERS BEHIND THE RECORDS.
THE ARTISTS.
From soul and acoustic pop to bossa nova and jazz. Discover the broader repertoire of the 23 artists and groups in our selection.
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JACK JOHNSON.
In Between Dreams · 2005
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BILL WITHERS.
Still Bill · 1972
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KHRUANGBIN.
Con Todo El Mundo · 2018
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SÉRGIO MENDES.
Herb Alpert Presents Sergio Mendes & Brasil ’66 · 1966
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MICHAEL KIWANUKA.
Home Again · 2012
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BUENA VISTA SOCIAL CLUB.
Buena Vista Social Club · 1997
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PAUL SIMON.
Graceland · 1986
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AL GREEN.
Let’s Stay Together · 1972
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FLEETWOOD MAC.
Fleetwood Mac · 1975
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STEVIE WONDER.
Songs in the Key of Life · 1976
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CAROLE KING.
Tapestry · 1971
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SADE.
Diamond Life · 1984
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STAN GETZ.
Getz/Gilberto · 1964
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JOÃO GILBERTO.
Getz/Gilberto · 1964
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ELLA FITZGERALD.
Ella and Louis · 1956
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LOUIS ARMSTRONG.
Ella and Louis · 1956
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SOLOMON BURKE.
Hold On Tight · 2010
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DE DIJK.
Hold On Tight · 2010
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NORAH JONES.
Come Away With Me · 2002
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AIR.
Moon Safari · 1998
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MARVIN GAYE.
What’s Going On · 1971
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CURTIS MAYFIELD.
Curtis · 1970
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NINA SIMONE.
Pastel Blues · 1965
BEHIND THE RECORDS.
THE STORIES.
ALBUM STORY.
BUENA VISTA SOCIAL CLUB. (Buena Vista Social Club)
A week in Havana, a room full of experience, and songs that traveled the world. The story of the Buena Vista Social Club, from Chan Chan to the film.
Read the story
ALBUM STORY.
TAPESTRY. (Carole King)
For years, Carole King wrote songs for others. On Tapestry, her own voice emerged: twelve songs about love, farewells, and the people who stay.
Read the story
ALBUM STORY.
HOLD ON TIGHT. (Solomon Burke & De Dijk)
De Dijk gave their songs to one of their greatest heroes. On Hold On Tight, Solomon Burke showed just how much soul was already in those Dutch songs. An encounter that was allowed to last too briefly.
Read the storyWhat do you play while you cook?
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