Bill Withers "Ain't No Sunshine" Old Grey Whistle Test, 1972

He's known more by way of who's sampled him than on his own merits ("Grandma's Hands"=Blackstreet's "No Diggity", "Just the Two of Us" = Will Smith, "Lean on Me" = Club Nouveau for the film of the same title) which must be quite the double-edged something or other for Bill Withers. He didn't start playing music until he was into his thirties (I believe he was a plumber, among other jobs), but his first three records are amazing, blending the singer-songwriter style (which had just taken hold at the time) with one of the most comforting, soulful vocal deliveries of all time. While checking out "Ain't No Sunshine" (m4v) (no DMX here, sorry), think about the fact that Withers hasn't even been considered for a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ballot.

Buy the amazing Old Grey Whistle Test DVD compilation here. It's only 12 bucks!