I think Samurai Champloo is a good show, but I wouldn't recommend it to people just entering anime, due to its episodic nature and 4th wall breaking. Note, you can recommend episodic content to newcomers, but it generally needs to be a bit different, such as Mushishi. You can also try the director's more well known show - Cowboy Bebop.

But generally I recommend plot-driven shows with continuity because they make you want to keep watching. It took me a while to finish Samurai Champloo myself.