Definitive Records asks interesting Vancouverites to scour their sonic-led memories to pull out the three albums anchoring their musical tastes.

Today we turn to The Mackenzie Room‘s co-owner and chef, Sean Reeve, for a three-course menu of records that have made the biggest impact on him to date. From rap and rock to country, his picks are wide-ranging and thoughtful, not unlike the dishes he serves up from his kitchen on the daily.

Chris Stapleton | Traveller

“I’ve listened to this album over and over countless times. Chris Stapleton’s ability to draw you in with the tone of his voice and his soulful and haunting lyrics is absolutely captivating. The album takes you into a world influenced by southern rock, country and blues, with heavy thoughts that pull on your heart strings.”

Pearl Jam | Ten

“This album and group have been a favourite of mine since my early teenage years. I’ve seen them live half a dozen times, with each show sounding equal if not better than any production. Fun Fact: For those who say Pearl Jam jumped on the grunge bandwagon, the album Ten was actually released a month before Nirvana’s Nevermind. Pearl Jam was instrumental in creating a new genre while evolving a new rock sound and becoming one of the most influential groups of the 90’s. This album is full of raw emotion, and deep and dark narratives told by a brilliant vocalist.”

Nas | Illmatic

“I was introduced to this album by a friend much later after it was released, but it became an album I played on repeat. Each track was its own story and sound produced by legends like DJ Premier, Q-Tip, L.E.S., Large Professor, Pete Rock and Nas himself. The production of the album was different and unique, selecting individual producers for specific tracks instead of the whole project. This is a gifted storyteller’s album, full of grit and attitude, with his own original flow and vocabulary. Escobar season has begun.”