I find it hard to choose, because there are so many masterful albums, but I have special memories of this album, which is why I chose it.
First of all, this album was the first album I bought when I studied in America for a year. The album had just come out and I went to Tower records and bought it for about $12 I thought. I still have it and it has since been turned gray for as far as that can go with a CD.
Secondly, it has brought me a lot musically and opened my ears, so to speak, in terms of different styles coming together. Robben grew up with blues music, but also toured with Miles Davis in his early years. The beauty on this album, then, is that you hear an authentic blues lick one minute and a fat jazz phrase the next. The songs are also very diverse and go from soul pop to rock to funk and of course back to blues.
Being a guitarist is also a treat, as the guitar sounds on this album are sublime. Robben is known for using his now priceless guitar amp built by Alexander Dumble. You can hear a thick sparkling clean sound, but his signature unctuous drive sound is also abundant.
All in all, this album is still an inspiration and always will be for me. Partly because of the special memories of course, but mostly because of the quality of music making.