All A/A+ List

All records graded A or A+.


Ahmed Abdullah (1947– )

The Abyssinians

King Sunny Ade (1946– )

Air [1971–1986]

Harry Allen (1966– )

Henry "Red" Allen (1908–67)

Lily Allen (1985– )

Dave Alvin (1955– )

Amadou and Mariam [1989– ]

Rodrigo Amado (1964– )

Amalgam

Amazing Rhythm Aces [1974–1981]

Les Amazones de Guinée

Gene Ammons (1925–74)

John Anderson (1955– )

Laurie Anderson (1947– )

The Animals [1964–1968]

Louis Armstrong (1901–71)

Robert Ashley (1930–2014)

Kevin Ayers (1945–2013)

Albert Ayler (1936–70)

Aztec Camera [1983– ]

Mildred Bailey (1903–51)

Marcia Ball (1950– )

The Band [1967–1976]

Billy Bang (1947–2011)

Chris Barber (1930–2021)

Kenny Barron (1943– )

Nik Bärtsch (1971– )

Count Basie (1904–84)

Conrad Bauer (1943– )

The Beach Boys [1961– ]

The Beatles [1960–1970]

Beats International [1990–1992]

The Beautiful South [1989– ]

Sidney Bechet (1897–1959)

Beck (1970– )

Nathan Bell

Beneficence

Tim Berne (1954– )

Chuck Berry (1926–2017)

The B-52's [1976– ]

Bhundu Boys

Big Brother and the Holding Company [1965–1972]

Big Star [1971–1975]

Big Boi (1975– )

Big Youth (1949– )

Black Stalin

Black Uhuru [1977– ]

Blackalicious [1994– ]

Art Blakey (1919–90)

Bobby "Blue" Bland (1930–2013)

The Blasters [1980–1985]

Blondie [1974– ]

Alpha Blondy (1953– )

Blue Oyster Cult [1972– ]

Arthur Blythe (1940–2017)

David Bowie (1947–2015)

Lester Bowie (1940–99)

Billy Bragg (1957– )

Anthony Braxton (1945– )

Anne Briggs (1944– )

Jonatha Brooke (1964– )

Cedric Im Brooks (1943– )

Tina Brooks (1932–74)

Big Bill Broonzy (1893–1958)

Clifford Brown (1930–56)

James Brown (1933–2006)

Ruth Brown (1928–2006)

V.V. Brown (1983– )

Dave Brubeck (1920–2012)

Buck 65 (1972– )

Buffalo Springfield [1966–1968]

Solomon Burke (1936– )

Burning Spear [1975– ]

Abraham Burton (1971– )

Mark Buselli

Buzzcocks [1975– ]

Don Byas (1912–72)

The Byrds [1964–1973]

Cabaret Voltaire [1979– ]

Cachao (1918–2008)

John Cale (1942– )

Cab Calloway (1907–94)

Robert Calvert (1945–88)

Camper Van Beethoven [1985–1990]

Captain Beefheart (1941–2010)

Hayes Carll (1978– )

Benny Carter (1907–2003)

Carlene Carter (1955– )

James Carter (1969– )

The Carter Family [1926–1943]

Johnny Cash (1932–2003)

Rosanne Cash (1955– )

Cee-Lo Green

Serge Chaloff (1923–57)

Manu Chao (1961– )

Marshall Chapman (1949– )

Ray Charles (1930–2004)

Neneh Cherry (1964– )

Chic [1977–1985]

The Chills [1987– ]

Sonny Clark (1931–63)

The Clash [1976–1986]

Buck Clayton (1911–91)

Jimmy Cliff (1948– )

Patsy Cline (1932–63)

George Clinton (1940– )

The Clovers [1948– ]

The Coasters [1956–1972]

Arnett Cobb (1918–89)

Joe Cocker (1944– )

Leonard Cohen (1934–2016)

Nat King Cole (1917–65)

George Coleman (1935– )

Ornette Coleman (1930–2015)

Bootsy Collins (1951– )

John Coltrane (1926–67)

Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen [1968– ]

Sam Cooke (1931–64)

Alice Cooper (1948– )

Cornershop [1995– ]

Elvis Costello (1955– )

The Coup [1993– ]

Creedence Clearwater Revival [1967–1972]

Marshall Crenshaw (1953– )

Marilyn Crispell (1947– )

The Cucumbers [1983–2004]

Culture [1977– ]

Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis (1922–86)

Miles Davis (1926–91)

Delaney and Bonnie [1966–1972]

De La Soul [1987– ]

Iris Dement (1961– )

Derek and the Dominos [1970–1972]

Paul Desmond (1924–77)

Dessa (1981– )

Hazel Dickens (1935–2011)

Vic Dickenson (1906–84)

Bo Diddley (1928–2008)

DJ Shadow (1973– )

Dr. Buzzard's Original Savannah Band [1974–1979]

Fats Domino (1928–2017)

The Doors [1965–1973]

Lee Dorsey (1924–86)

Thomas A. Dorsey (1899–1993)

Double Dee

Downtown Science

Dr. John (1940–2019)

The Drifters [1953– ]

Ducks Deluxe [1972–1975]

Champion Jack Dupree (1910–92)

Ian Dury [1942–2000]

Bob Dylan (1941– )

Steve Earle (1955– )

Eastern Rebellion [1975–1995]

Dave Edmunds (1944– )

Elastica [1994– ]

Roy Eldridge (1911–88)

Duke Ellington (1899–1974)

Herb Ellis (1921–2010)

Joe Ely (1947– )

Eminem (1972– )

The English Beat [1980–1983]

Brian Eno (1948– )

Etoile De Dakar [1978–1982]

Bill Evans (1929–80)

The Everly Brothers [1954–1973]

The Ex [1980– ]

Eyuphuro

Jon Faddis (1953– )

Donald Fagen (1948– )

John Fahey (1939–2001)

Marianne Faithfull (1946– )

The Fall [1979– ]

The Feelies [1980–1991]

Avram Fefer (1965– )

Bryan Ferry (1945– )

Fine Young Cannibals [1985–1990]

Ella Fitzgerald (1917–96)

The "5" Royales [1952–1965]

The Flamin' Groovies [1965–1979]

Fleetwood Mac [1968– ]

Rosie Flores (1950– )

The Flying Burrito Brothers [1969– ]

John Fogerty (1945– )

Sue Foley (1968– )

Franco (1938–89)

Aretha Franklin (1942–2018)

Lefty Frizzell (1928–75)

Funkadelic [1970–1981]

Eddie Gale (1941–2020)

Gang of Four [1978–1984]

Garbage [1995– ]

Jan Garbarek (1947– )

Marvin Gaye (1939–84)

Stan Getz (1927–91)

Ghostface Killah

Don Gibson (1928–2003)

The Gift of Gab (1972–2021)

Dizzy Gillespie (1917–93)

Jimmie Dale Gilmore (1945– )

Girls Against Boys [1989– ]

The Go-Betweens [1978–1989]

Gogol Bordello [1998– ]

Gonora Sounds

Benny Goodman (1909–86)

Jerry Granelli (1940– )

Al Green (1946– )

The Green Seed

Lars Gullin (1928–76)

Woody Guthrie (1912–67)

Steve Haas

Merle Haggard (1937–2016)

Tom T. Hall (1936–2021)

Rich Halley (1947– )

Lionel Hampton (1909–2002)

Herbie Hancock (1940– )

Handsome Boy Modeling School [1999–2004]

Roy Hargrove (1969–2018)

Billy Harper (1943– )

Craig Harris (1954– )

Eddie Harris (1934–96)

Wynonie Harris (1915–69)

Debbie Harry (1945– )

P.J. Harvey (1969– )

Michael Hashim (1956– )

Hampton Hawes (1928–77)

Coleman Hawkins (1901–69)

Hawkwind [1969– ]

The Heartbreakers

Heems (1985– )

Fletcher Henderson (1897–1952)

Jimi Hendrix (1942–70)

Benjamin Herman (1968– )

Heroes Are Gang Leaders

John Hiatt (1952– )

Joe Higgs (1940–99)

The Highlife Allstars

Z.Z. Hill (1935–84)

Earl Hines (1905–89)

Jim Hobbs

Johnny Hodges (1907–70)

Billie Holiday (1915–59)

Dave Holland (1946– )

Buddy Holly (1936–59)

Holy Modal Rounders [1963– ]

John Lee Hooker (1917–2001)

Lightnin' Hopkins (1912–82)

Hot Chocolate [1970–1982]

The Housemartins [1986– ]

Howlin' Wolf (1910–78)

Alberta Hunter (1895–1984)

Michael Hurley (1941– )

Mississippi John Hurt (1893–1966)

Abdullah Ibrahim (1934– )

Ice-T (1959– )

Ill Considered [2017– ]

Imperial Teen [1996– ]

The Impressions [1961–1968]

The Isley Brothers [1954– ]

Vijay Iyer (1971– )

Michael Jackson (1958–2009)

Willis Jackson (1932–87)

Illinois Jacquet (1922–2004)

Elmore James (1918–63)

Etta James (1938–2012)

Jan and Dean [1958–1966]

Keith Jarrett (1945– )

Jazz at the Philharmonic [1944–1983]

Blind Lemon Jefferson (1897–1929)

Billy Jenkins (1954– )

Jesus and Mary Chain [1985– ]

David Johansen (1950– )

Jan Johansson (1931–68)

Budd Johnson

J.J. Johnson (1924–2001)

Linton Kwesi Johnson (1952– )

Lonnie Johnson (1889–1970)

Robert Johnson (1911–38)

Tom Johnson (1939– )

George Jones (1931–2013)

Janis Joplin (1943–70)

Louis Jordan (1908–75)

Joy of Cooking [1970–1972]

Pandelis Karayorgis (1962– )

Aly Keïta

Kelis (1979– )

Kid Creole and the Coconuts [1980– ]

B.B. King (1925–2015)

Rahsaan Roland Kirk (1936–77)

The Klezmatics [1990– ]

The KLF [1988– ]

K'Naan (1978– )

Chris Knight (1960– )

Krzysztof Komeda (1931–69)

Lee Konitz (1927–2020)

Kraftwerk [1970– ]

KRS-One (1965– )

Martin Küchen (1966– )

Fela Anikulapo Kuti (1938–97)

La Cherga

Steve Lacy (1934–2004)

Ladysmith Black Mambazo [1984– ]

Adam Lane (1968– )

Ronnie Lane (1946–97)

Yusef Lateef (1920–2013)

Cyndi Lauper (1953– )

Bettye Lavette (1946– )

Led Zeppelin [1968–1980]

Steve Lehman (1978– )

John Lennon (1940–80)

George Lewis (1900–68)

James Brandon Lewis (1983– )

Jerry Lee Lewis (1935–2022)

Joe Liggins (1915–87)

Liliput [1980–1983]

David Lindley (1944–2023)

Arto Lindsay (1953– )

Little Richard (1935–2020)

Little Walter (1930–68)

L.L. Cool J (1968– )

Los Lobos [1978– ]

Mark Lomax (1979– )

Orlando Cachaito Lopez (1933–2009)

Lord Kitchener (1922–2000)

Joe Lovano (1952– )

Lene Lovich (1949– )

Allen Lowe (1954– )

Nick Lowe (1949– )

L7 [1985–2000]

Luna [1992–2004]

Jimmie Lunceford (1902–47)

Frankie Lymon (1942–68)

Loretta Lynn (1935–2022)

Lynyrd Skynyrd [1971– ]

Lyrics Born (1972– )

M People [1994– ]

Baaba Maal (1953– )

Maddox Brothers and Rose [1935–1957]

Madonna (1958– )

Magdalena Bay

Taj Mahal (1942– )

Rudresh Mahanthappa (1971– )

Mahavishnu Orchestra [1971–1976]

Mahlathini (1937–99)

Junior Mance (1928–2020)

Manfred Mann (1940– )

Michael Mantler (1943– )

Thomas Mapfumo (1945– )

Bob Marley (1945–81)

Bruno Mars (1985– )

Billy Martin (1963– )

Dean Martin (1917–95)

Jimmy Martin (1927–2005)

Hirth Martinez

The Marvelettes [1960–1971]

Curtis Mayfield (1942–99)

Percy Mayfield (1920–84)

Mzwakhe Mbuli

Mary McCaslin (1946–2022)

Kate and Anna McGarrigle [1976– ]

Jackie McLean (1932–2006)

Marian McPartland (1918–2013)

Joe McPhee (1939– )

Charles McPherson (1939– )

Mekons [1977– ]

Pat Metheny (1954– )

M.I.A. (1975– )

Ras Michael (1943– )

Mighty Sparrow (1935– )

MIKE (1998– )

Emmett Miller (1900–62)

Roger Miller (1936–95)

Charles Mingus (1922–79)

The Minutemen [1980–1986]

The Miracles [1973–1977]

Daniel Owino Misiani (1940–2006)

Mr. Lif (1974– )

Joni Mitchell (1943– )

Hank Mobley (1930–86)

Moby (1965– )

Nils Petter Molvaer (1960– )

Thelonious Monk (1917–82)

Bill Monroe (1911–96)

Wes Montgomery (1925–68)

Michael Moore (1954– )

Benny Moré (1919–63)

Barbara Morrison (1952– )

Van Morrison (1945– )

Jelly Roll Morton (1890–1941)

Pablo Moses (1953– )

Mostly Other People Do the Killing [2006– ]

Mott the Hoople [1969–1976]

Maria Muldaur (1943– )

Gerry Mulligan (1927–96)

David Murray (1955– )

Wolfgang Muthspiel (1965– )

Septeto Nacional de Ignacio Piñeiro [1927– ]

Tatsuya Nakatani

Kate Nash (1987– )

Youssou N'Dour (1959– )

Nelly (1974– )

Oliver Nelson (1932–75)

Rick Nelson (1940–85)

Willie Nelson (1933– )

NERD [2002– ]

Neville Brothers [1978– ]

New Orleans Rhythm Kings (1922–25)

New Order [1981– ]

New York Dolls [1971–1977]

Randy Newman (1943– )

Herbie Nichols (1919–63)

Niney the Observer

Nitty Gritty Dirt Band [1965– ]

West Nkosi (1919– )

Ohio Players [1968– ]

Remmy Ongala (1947– )

Roy Orbison (1936–88)

Orchestra Baobab

Oriental Brothers International

K.T. Oslin (1942–2020)

OutKast [1992– ]

Augustus Pablo (1954–99)

Charlie Parker (1920–55)

Graham Parker (1950– )

William Parker (1952– )

Parliament [1970–1980]

Gram Parsons (1946–73)

Harry Partch (1901–74)

Dolly Parton (1946– )

Pavement [1990–1999]

Annette Peacock (1941– )

Ann Peebles (1947– )

Art Pepper (1925–82)

The Perceptionists [2005– ]

Pere Ubu [1975– ]

Perfect Disaster [1985–1990]

Carl Perkins (1932–98)

Persian Gulf [1984–1986]

Houston Person (1934– )

Pet Shop Boys [1986– ]

Oscar Peterson (1925–2007)

Liz Phair (1967– )

Barre Phillips (1934– )

Sam Phillips (1962– )

Astor Piazzolla (1921–92)

Wilson Pickett (1941–2006)

Pink Floyd [1967– ]

The Plastic People of the Universe [1968– ]

P.M. Dawn [1988– ]

The Pogues [1984– ]

The Police [1977–1985]

Charlie Poole (1892–1931)

Iggy Pop (1947– )

Bud Powell (1924–66)

Pérez Prado (1916–89)

Elvis Presley (1935–77)

Pretenders [1980– ]

Lloyd Price (1933–2021)

Prince (1958–2016)

John Prine (1946–2020)

Professor Longhair (1918–80)

The Psychedelic Furs [1980– ]

Public Enemy [1982– ]

Dudu Pukwana (1938–90)

Don Pullen (1944–95)

Pulnoc [1989– ]

Bonnie Raitt (1949– )

The Ramones [1976– ]

Rank and File [1982–1987]

The Raspberries [1972–1975]

Otis Redding (1941–67)

Don Redman (1900–64)

Jimmy Reed (1925–76)

Lou Reed (1942–2013)

The Regrettes [2015– ]

Django Reinhardt (1910–53)

Dave Rempis (1975– )

The Replacements [1981–1991]

Jonathan Richman (1951– )

Lesley Riddle (1905–80)

Amy Rigby (1959– )

Howard Riley (1943– )

Rilo Kiley [2001– ]

Sam Rivers (1923–2011)

Tom Robinson (1950– )

Robyn (1979– )

Tabu Ley Rochereau (1940–2013)

The Roches [1978– ]

Jimmie Rodgers (1897–1933)

Nile Rodgers (1952– )

Olivia Rodrigo (2003– )

Arsenio Rodriguez (1911–71)

Roberto Juan Rodriguez

The Rolling Stones [1963– ]

Sonny Rollins (1930– )

The Roots [1993– ]

Roxy Music [1972–1983]

Roswell Rudd (1935–2017)

Run the Jewels [2013– ]

Todd Rundgren (1948– )

Run-DMC [1982– ]

Jimmy Rushing (1903–72)

George Russell (1923–2009)

Leon Russell (1941–2016)

Raphael Saadiq (1966– )

Salt-N-Pepa [1985– ]

David Sanchez (1968– )

Pharoah Sanders (1940–2022)

Randy Sandke (1949– )

Oumou Sangaré (1968– )

Bernardo Sassetti (1970–2012)

Jenny Scheinman (1979– )

Alexander von Schlippenbach (1938– )

Brinsley Schwarz [1969–1975]

Irène Schweizer (1941–2024)

Stephen Scott (1969– )

Sex Pistols [1976–1978]

Roxanne Shanté

Paul Shapiro

Archie Shepp (1937– )

Matthew Shipp (1960– )

The Shirelles [1958– ]

Wayne Shorter (1933–2023)

Silver Convention [1975– ]

Horace Silver (1928–2014)

Zoot Sims (1925–85)

Frank Sinatra (1915–2003)

The Skillet Lickers

Percy Sledge (1941–2015)

Sly and Robbie [1978– ]

Sly and the Family Stone [1967–1981]

Huey "Piano" Smith (1934–2023)

Jimmy Smith (1925–2005)

Patti Smith (1946– )

Tommy Smith (1967– )

Todd Snider (1966– )

Hank Snow (1914–99)

Sonic Liberation Front [2000– ]

Sonic Youth [1982– ]

Sons of Kemet [2013– ]

Tyshawn Sorey (1980– )

Muggsy Spanier (1906–67)

Spoon [1996– ]

Bruce Springsteen (1949– )

Wild Jimmy Spruill (1934–96)

Peter Stampfel (1938– )

Ralph Stanley (1927– )

Mavis Staples (1939– )

Candi Staton (1940– )

Steely Dan [1972–1981]

Steinski (1951– )

Sufjan Stevens (1975– )

Gary Stewart (1945–2003)

Rod Stewart (1945– )

Sonny Stitt (1924–82)

The Streets (1979– )

The Strypes [2013– ]

Donna Summer (1948–2012)

Sun Ra (1914–93)

The Supremes

Swamp Dogg (1942– )

Steve Swell (1954– )

Rachid Taha (1958–2018)

Talking Heads [1977–1992]

James Talley (1944– )

Tampa Red (1904–81)

Horace Tapscott (1934–99)

Art Tatum (1909–56)

Cecil Taylor (1929–2018)

Jack Teagarden (1905–64)

Television [1977–1992]

Kate Tempest (1985– )

The Temptations [1960– ]

They Might Be Giants [1983– ]

Hank Thompson (1925–2007)

Lucky Thompson (1924–2005)

Richard Thompson (1949– )

The Three Johns [1983– ]

Johnny Thunders (1952–91)

Le Tigre [1999– ]

Floyd Tillman (1914–2003)

Timbuk 3 [1986– ]

Toots and the Maytals [1962–2020]

Stan Tracey (1926–2013)

Transplants [2002– ]

Lobi Traoré (1961–2010)

Merle Travis (1917–83)

Randy Travis (1959– )

Tricky (1964– )

Assif Tsahar (1969– )

Ernest Tubb (1914–84)

Big Joe Turner (1911–85)

Brad Turner (1967– )

UB40 [1980– ]

James Blood Ulmer (1942– )

Massimo Urbani (1957–93)

Kid Thomas Valentine (1896–1987)

Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons (1937– )

Vampire Weekend [2008– ]

Ken Vandermark (1964– )

Velkro

The Velvet Underground [1967–1970]

Alex Ventling

The Vibrators [1977– ]

Fay Victor (1965– )

Vienna Art Orchestra [1977– ]

Gene Vincent (1935–71)

Voice of the Beehive [1987– ]

Bunny Wailer (1947–2021)

Loudon Wainwright III (1947– )

Mal Waldron (1926–2002)

Fats Waller (1904–43)

David S. Ware (1949–2012)

Justin Warfield

Was (Not Was) [1981– ]

Dinah Washington (1924–63)

Muddy Waters (1915–83)

Bobby Watson (1953– )

Doc Watson (1923–2012)

Ben Webster (1909–73)

Kurt Weill (1900–50)

Mary Wells (1943–92)

Papa Wemba (1949–2016)

Kanye West (1977– )

The Who [1964–1983]

Bob Wilber (1928–2019)

The Wild Tchoupitoulas [1976– ]

Barney Wilen (1937–96)

Ernie Wilkins (1922–99)

Hank Williams (1923–53)

Lucinda Williams (1953– )

Sonny Boy Williamson (1899–1965)

Hal Willner (1956–2020)

Bob Wills (1905–75)

Brian Wilson (1942– )

Wire [1977– ]

Bill Withers (1938–2020)

Stevie Wonder (1950– )

World Saxophone Quartet [1977–2006]

Wussy [2005– ]

Robert Wyatt (1945– )

X-Ray Spex [1976– ]

The Yardbirds [1963–1968]

Faron Young (1932–96)

Larry Young (1940–79)

Lester Young (1909–59)

Neil Young (1945– )

Warren Zevon (1947–2003)

Zu [1999– ]

ZZ Top [1970– ]

Various Artists