My recent music (Acid Jazz) is inspired by Mark Farina's "Mushroom Jazz" which is a mixture of hip-hop, jazz, and house. I have every volume of Mushroom Jazz burned to disc, and it's all I ever play whenever I'm driving. It's a style that I've found to be unique, and chill. My friends would always say, "Gavin man, you listen to some really chill stuff, that's awesome dude." or they comment on how I always find unique music.
I used to listen and produce electronic music such as Drum and Bass, Dubstep, Trance, House, but something about Acid Jazz or Jazz-Hop just kept me hooked. I guess it's the feeling that I get when I find good old music and give it life again for newer generations to appreciate. It's giving it a new beat, a new rush if you will. I wouldn't call it a remix like with other genres, but a rebirth. It's a genre that definitely needs appreciation.
~My $0.02.~
List of inspirational musicians (Will post more when I remember or notice)
johnfn
This sounds awesome... which one should I start with?
Xorberax
I'd start with Mark Farina's Mushroom Jazz volumes.