India, Dec. 19 -- There is a flurry of early-morning snow at Eerikinkatu. It is 7.45 am. I pull my beanie lower, adjust my headphones and press play on my phone.

Right Off, from the Miles Davis album A Tribute to Jack Johnson, kicks in. John McLaughlin's guitar riff cuts through the white noise, Billy Cobham's drums hit like boots on packed ice, and I move towards Helsinki Central railway station.

There are albums that become companions; sonic architectures that mirrors and magnifies the physical surroundings through which we move. This one was recorded in 1970 and released in 1971. For the past five years, I have listened to it in Helsinki. .Jack Johnson, which turns 55 in February, correlates perfectly with the flowing lines and organ...