Use Sound on Sound magazine as a resource to inspire you. The magazine has a section each month where they analyse a classic track and you have access to the archive and many back print copies.
Some examples of 'classic tracks' explored in detail in the magazine include;
Sound on Sound classic track 'Pacific State' - 808 State 1988
A landmark in British house music, particularly the acid house scene which was very much a cultural as well as musical sub-culture with its own summer of love. Graham Massey used his love of synthesiser music, the 808 being a ROLAND TR808 drum machine, to become an essential part of the 'Madchester' scene. He is now a 'musician, composer, producer and engineer' according to Sound on Sound. Massey was a student at the UK's first audio engineering studio, Manchester's School of Sound Recording which allowed him to develop a knowledge of MIDI technology. The influnec eon artists such as Aphex Twin
Sound on Sound classic track 'Voodoo Ray' - A Guy Called Gerald
This makes a good comparison to 808 State as they collaborated together and this is also a classic track in Sound on Sound.
Future Sound of London - Papua New Guinea
The songs above influenced a number of artists who made other landmark songs in a similar musical genre and style
Secondary Source - The Ambient century (Mark Prendergast)
Sound on Sound classic track 'Fool's Gold' - The Stone Roses
