Unlike cars I'll limit myself to 5 humble suggestions although you have great taste yourself:
1) Oasis: Whats the Story Morning Glory: imho one of the best Brit Pop/Alternative albums of all time, was what put the band on the map and songs like Champagne Supernova and its guitar riff is the stuff of dreams
2) Nina Simone: The Tomato Collection: One of the most enduring voices ever, I discovered her through a song called Just in Time which was played at the end of a movie I really love called Before Sunset.
3) Ministry of Sound: Clubbers Guide 2009: it just came out and has a great collection of Ibiza style House techno music which I feel would be a great introduction to the genre, look out for songs 11, 12 on CD1 and 8 on CD2
4) Empire Records: OST: had a great collection of varied songs which had a very retro sound yet was unique in its own way, Mazzy Stars mellow song Yellow was the highlight for me along with the Cranberries and so on.
5) Dr. Dre: The Chronic: A landmark hip hop album which is the defacto standard of what good Gangstah rap should be especially with all these crappy new comers now, although it might be considered crass and vulgar to some people, I feel it really captures the frustration and mindset of people and resonates globally, if not anything else it is authentic and "keeps it real".
Can suggest tonnes more but you said 5
S