(FORTUNE Magazine) – Jeff Gordinier's recent Transoceanic In-Flight Playlists have admirably addressed the typical six- to eight-hour plane trip. But New York-Tokyo requires special preparation. It's a marathon--14 1/2 hours--and upon landing, there's a two-hour cab ride to town.

essential nutrients

Quincy Jones Q's Jook Joint (1995, Warner Brothers/Qwest): Celebrating 50 years in the music business, America's most brilliant producer delivers the best album of the '90s. Don't miss the update of Benny Golson's classic "Killer Joe," with help from Herbie Hancock, Hubert Laws, Joshua Redman, Nancy Wilson, Tone Loc, and Queen Latifah.

Johnny Otis Live at Monterey (1970, Epic/Legacy): Esther Phillips, Cleanhead Vinson, Big Joe Turner. Never leave home without it.

Duane Allman An Anthology (1972, PolyGram): Who else, playing backup, could have upstaged Wilson Pickett and Aretha?

Tougher Than Tough: The Story of Jamaican Music (1993, Island): Definitive, even if a bit short on Marley and the Wailers.

Solomon Burke The Very Best of (1998, Rhino): Best of the best: "Got to Get You off My Mind," a tribute to Sam Cooke.

new orleans detour

Allen Toussaint Connected (1996, Nyno).

The Wild Magnolias Life Is a Carnival (1999, Metroblue): Picks up where the Neville Brothers leave off.

Putumayo Presents: Zydeco (2000, Putumayo): Forget the clothes. Buy the music.

Dr. John Duke Elegant (2000, EMI/Blue Note).

the greatest girls

Etta James Time After Time (1995, Private): Even Etta admits she has "a reputation as one of the most difficult, rebellious, and unpredictable people in the business." She's more than worth it.

Aretha Franklin Aretha Sings the Blues (1985, Columbia): Her 1967 move to Atlantic saved her career, but these early sides first revealed what was worth saving.

Crystal Gayle Sings the Heart & Soul of Hoagy Carmichael (1999, Platinum): Loretta Lynn's talented sister. Her best work since the 1982 soundtrack for One From the Heart.

Dinah Washington Blue Gardenia (1995, PolyGram): Dinah never met a song she couldn't sing.

private passions

David Newman House of David (1993, Rhino): First heard him in 1968 at Club Lark, Dallas. His early years playing tenor with Ray Charles stand out.

Miles Davis Miles Ahead (1957, Columbia): It's taken me 43 years to appreciate these Gil Evans arrangements.

Bobby Womack Stop on By (1996, EMI)

Van Morrison Back on Top (1999, Pointblank/Virgin): The singing and writing rival "T.B. Sheets," "Jackie Wilson Said," and "Brown Eyed Girl." The guitar and harmonica work are better.

Gene Ammons The Gene Ammons Story: Gentle Jug (1992, Fantasy): So mellow it could lull you to sleep--but it won't.

Charles Sullivan Kamau (1996, Arabesque): Sullivan, a trumpet player who now calls himself Kamau Adalifu, is a master of improvisation and technique.

upon landing

Ryuichi Sakamoto Back to the Basics (1999, Warner Music Japan): Scholarly old-timer.

Thee Michelle Gun Elephant Gear Blues (1999, Triad/ Heat Wave): The hottest rock band playing today. Even if you're negotiating with a yakuza on crystal meth, you'll be higher than he is. The only way to end the trip. --NORMAN PEARLSTINE