Ian Dury & The Blockheads - Sex & Drugs & Rock 'n' Roll: The Best of Ian Dury and the Blockheads [Remastered] (1992)

The late Ian Dury was probably the most lovable figure to emerge from the late '70s UK punk movement. Rooted in pub rock and jazz, his songs were less confrontational than those of his cronies (though not without their share of controversy, as with the plainspoken title track). Dury's lyrics, endlessly clever without seeming show-offy, were brilliant, ranging from tender ballads like "Sweet Gene Vincent" to hilarious rants like "Reasons To Be Cheerful (Part 3)" and "There Ain't Half Been Some Clever Bastards." The Blockheads, led by the excellent jazz-rooted pianist Chaz Jankel and the strapping drummer Mickey Gallagher, were one of the finest bands of their era, as conversant with funky dance tracks like "Wake Up And Make Love With Me" as cocktail lounge ballads like "Common As Muck." This is simply essential for anyone with an interest in the original UK punk scene.