Big Star - #1 Record/Radio City
Thelonious Monk - Brilliant Corners
James Carter - The Real Quietstorm
Richard and Linda Thompson - Shoot Out the Lights
Joni Mitchell - Blue
I also support the Miles Davis 'Kind of Blue' recommendations, as well as the Lucinda Williams and Iris DeMent votes, believe that Billie Holiday's Verve recordings are all to die for (get the whole box set), and am surprised not to see Fleetwood Mac's "Rumours" appear on a few lists (that recording is just as startling twenty years down the road).