I've been listening to Zack Hemsey's album, Empty Room: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fMeD1ztnl6A&list=SPF573D9...

I've been listening to a lot of jazz, nu-jazz, hip hop (this isn't Lil Wayne or what you may think, it's the more intelligent underground rap) (and I like the rhythm and rhymes and beats), blues, blues rock, and funk.

Jazz being Dave Brubeck, Cannonball Adderley (I have his "sticks" on constantly, can't find it on youtube, but "this here" is good too http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYDGzJDJeDI), Nat Adderley (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9346mo8X84), Herbie Hancock (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4ASTMFN-h4), Bobby Timmons (the actual writer of this here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FB2P1oaP-gk), etc. A lot of soul-jazz and hard bop.

Nu-jazz is jazz that's electronically charged. As in, Goldfish. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RAdX_nwXlrY ... Fort Knox is awesome.

The hip hop I listen to is Brother Ali (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6PoLT6hxv4), Hieroglyphics (the beat in Classic is absolutely perfect http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iIKquKdJN24), Souls of Mischief (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MlUrk1RTQ7A, Cab Fare) Mos Def (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sl5mBLYftaM Blue Black Jack and Mathematics http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5vw4ajnWGA), Visionaries (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6l78Vy7oirk Come One Come All, fantastic beat; I also like Self Sufficient http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPvJ2kplLPA&list=AL94UKMT..., and If You Can't Say Love http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gzSi7voW7Hc&playnext=1...) and stuff like that. I really like the use of piano in Brother Ali's the puzzle. He has some arabic in some of his songs that I don't understand, but who cares, it's just music. It's funny, I don't really care what's being said as long as the beat's good and the rhymes are good too. Though it's definitely a plus if the lyrics are meaningful/intelligent.

I've been listening to Ray Charles, B. B. King, Muddy Waters, etc. Fun times.

Blues rock's bands like the Black Keys, there's others whose names I can't remember off the top of my head. I really liked their Blackroc album, it's a really interesting sound, hip hop and rock (A good one is Hoochie Coo with Mos Def and Jim Jones http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-vtWNDI_EOI, and also Done Did It http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_Ca1G812nQ)

NINJA EDIT: I remembered some other bands. The Doors, Cream, Grand Funk. Cream has this great song that I can't get out of my head, Politician (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJqgk2XAg4k) and another good one is Tales of Brave Ulysses (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8hLc_nqx8g), along with the famous Crossroads (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dg1pHeYmaQE) (once I learn electric guitar, these are the songs I'll be playing :D). Grand Funk has some great songs, like Mr. Limousine Driver (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpTsyTGH8Cc), High Falootin' Woman (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IP683QuEsvk), Got This Thing on the Move (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QCeJt1u9PLA). The Doors...hmm...Break on Through The Other Side (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CbiPDSxFgd8). Not sure if that's really blues rock, it's definitely rock. Roadhouse Blues (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5XWQrt00_NM) is definitely, however.

Funk is Stevie Wonder (I've posted a song or two of his to hubski), Herbie Hancock (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQsSQRWMhOs), Earth Wind & Fire (my favorite is Shining Star http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vwc0AW67CmA).

I've also listened to some Marvin Gaye, the Temptations, and other Motowners.