Okayplayer's Top 14 Essential Record Store Day Selections For 2014

It's that time of year again, folks. When all the beautiful oddities the world of vinyl collecting has to offer come out to play for the cratedigging  that is Record Store Day. While the year has certainly brought it's fair share of choice selections for your shelf (Wyatt Cenac's Live In Brooklyn, Nick Hakim's double EP Where Will We Go, the Brian Eno curated Fela Kuti box set and the like) we've got the master document of  must-have material; essential pick-ups for the rap nerd, the avid funkateer and bleeding-heart soul selector alike. The goodies range from the unheard cuts of The Godfather's JBs to rare live performances from the likes of Billie Holiday to highly-coveted bootlegs from Jimi Hendrix to a couple of even rarer box sets--all of which are or will soon be available in our very own OKP shop. Only the C.R.E.A.M of the crop for our valiant vinyl slingers. So without further adieu, here are our picks for your Record Store Day festivities.

1. Wu-Tang Clan - "C.R.E.A.M./Da Mystery Of Chessboxin'" (7" Die-Cut Single)

First up, we've got a gem from the Shaolin camp with the insta-classic "C.R.E.A.M" pressed to a picture disk with their iconic emblem and the b-side heater "Da Mystery Of Chessboxin'" for those who claim stake in the rugged and raw.

>>>Buy via Turntable Lab

2. J Dilla - Donuts (45s Box Set) 

Next, we've got the über-limited Donuts box-set from the legend J Dilla. Each and every morsel of Jay Dee's final opus is pressed to glazed, sprinkled and sugared 45s, giving you yet another way to enjoy a timeless piece from the best to ever do it.

>>>Buy via Stones Throw

3. Aaliyah - Age Ain't Nothing But A Number (2xLP)

Aaliyah's new-jack triumph of a debut Age Ain't Nothing But A Number is getting a proper vinyl rerelease this Black Friday. With Golden Age R Kelly at the helm as the main songwriter and producer of the album, this introduction to the tragically fallen heiress to r&b's throne is another must-buy on the list.

>>>Preorder via UGHH

4. Outkast - "Players Ball" (Translucent Green 12" Single)

Outkast's ATLien anthem has to get some love on RSD, pressed to a fitting cosmic green vinyl with an extended version of the cut. Praise the Stankonian gawds.

>>>Preorder via UGHH

5. Fishbone - Truth And Soul  (Cherry Red or Green Colored LP) 

The legendary '90s funk-rock kings' are getting the RSD treatment with a fresh pressing of their sophomore record, featuring their steel-toed rework of Curtis Mayfield's "Freddie's Dead."

>>>Buy via Turntable Lab

6. Afrika Bambaataa & The Soul Sonic Force - "Planet Rock" (Glow In The Dark 12" Single)

The captain of The Soul Sonic Force has some repackaged heat for your record players. A 12-inch glow-in-the-dark pressing of the intergalactic b-boy anthem "Planet Rock" is hitting stores next week, making Day-Glo Bambaataa a crown to any proper collection.

>>>Buy via Turntable Lab

7. Run DMC - "Christmas In Hollis/Peter Piper" (7" Single)

What better way to bring in the holidays than with some X-mas love from the big-beat kings and Keith Haring's stamp on the cover?

>>>Preorder via UGHH

8. Adrian Younge's Black Dynamite OST (Picture Disc LP)

While this may be the only item on this list that isn't an RSD special release, Adrian Younge's cinematic funk score for the baddest man the small screen should be owned and cherished by all.

>>>Buy via Fat Beats

9. Ennio Morricone's The Good, The Bad And The Ugly OST (LP)

Speaking of top-shelf cinematic experiences. Is there any more iconic score in the history of film then that of Ennio Morricone's The Good, The Bad And The Ugly? Just imagine putting your feet up by the Christmas fire to the tune of those dusty compositions, doubling up on the whistle as you knock back some egg nog. Class, son. Straight class.

10. The JBs - These Are The JBs (LP)

When we first got word that a unheard album from the The JBs was on its way, eyes widened, mouths began to salivate and ears immediately perked up. If you've ever pondered what Mr. Dynamite's ensemble might do with, say, Band Of Gypsies' "Power Of Soul" this here is a quick ticket to finding out.

>>>Buy via Rappcats 

11. The Heliocentrics & Melvin Van Peebles - The Last Transmission (2xLP)

The radiant renaissance man links with the UK's jazzy funkateers to narrate their cosmic compendium of jazz, soul and fusion. The perfect score to your post-Turkey Day burn-down.

>>>Buy via Rappcats 

12. Jimi Hendix - Hear My Music (2xLP)

The Purple Patriarch's rare bootleg will surface as a proper LP next Friday, compiling outtakes and studio sessions from his short-lived Band Of Gypsies project, The Experience and more.

>>>Buy via Grooves Inc.

13. Billie Holiday - At Storyville  (White, Numbered LP)

Lady's lovely croon will be heard on the third pressing of this fantastic compilation of rare recordings, originally performed in 1951 at Boston's legendary club and released in 1964, five years after her passing. All the headiest of heads should round out their stock with this one.

>>>Buy via Turntable Lab 

14. Miles Davis - The Prestige 10 LP Collection Volume 1 (LP) 

And last, but not even close to least, we have an anthology from the baddest man to ever pick up a horn, Mr. Miles Davis concluding our list. This one's going to have you breaking bank a bit, but when you've got Miles leading Art Blakey, Kenny Clarke and J.J. Johnson 10 you plunge between those couch cushions, your old jeans and the mattress to rack up the change to cop.

>>>Preorder via Amoeba Music