The Best Jazz Albums
The cornerstones — records every collection eventually reaches for.
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1Kind of BlueMiles Davis
Kind of Blue
The best-selling jazz album of all time and the gateway record for countless listeners, built on modal improvisation and an unmatched band. Cool, spacious and endlessly calming, it never wears out. If you own one jazz record, start here.
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2A Love SupremeJohn Coltrane
A Love Supreme
A four-part spiritual suite of overwhelming intensity and devotion, recorded by Coltrane's classic quartet. It moves from searching to ecstatic to serene. A towering statement that rewards close, uninterrupted listening.
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3Time OutDave Brubeck
Time Out
An experiment in unusual time signatures that became an unlikely smash, led by the 5/4 'Take Five'. Cool, accessible and hugely popular. A perfect jazz starter record.
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4Mingus Ah UmCharles Mingus
Mingus Ah Um
A vivid, swinging survey of jazz tradition through Mingus's restless imagination, from the elegiac 'Goodbye Pork Pie Hat' to gospel-charged blowing. Endlessly rich. One of the great large-group records.
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5Head HuntersHerbie Hancock
Head Hunters
The album that fused jazz with funk and sold in huge numbers, anchored by the slinky 'Chameleon'. Groove-led and irresistible. A fusion landmark.
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6Bitches BrewMiles Davis
Bitches Brew
The album that birthed jazz-fusion, a dense, electric, studio-assembled brew of rock rhythm and free improvisation. Divisive on release and now revered. Demanding, hypnotic and unlike anything before it.
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7In a Silent WayMiles Davis
In a Silent Way
A serene, proto-ambient fusion landmark of hushed electric textures. Spacious and influential. A pivotal record.
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8Sketches of SpainMiles Davis
Sketches of Spain
A lush orchestral collaboration with Gil Evans blending jazz and Spanish classical. Gorgeous and singular. A beloved record.
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9Giant StepsJohn Coltrane
Giant Steps
A dazzling display of harmonic ambition, its title track a rite of passage for every aspiring jazz player. The writing is brilliant and the playing fearless. A cornerstone of bebop's evolution.
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10Blue TrainJohn Coltrane
Blue Train
Coltrane's lone Blue Note session as leader, hard-bop perfection with a stellar sextet. Tuneful and accessible, it is one of the easiest classic-jazz entry points. A reliably great listen.
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11Brilliant CornersThelonious Monk
Brilliant Corners
Knotty, angular compositions played with Monk's unmistakable touch, the title track so hard it had to be spliced together. Idiosyncratic and brilliant. Essential Monk.
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12Sunday at the Village VanguardBill Evans
Sunday at the Village Vanguard
An intimate live trio recording of extraordinary interplay, captured shortly before bassist Scott LaFaro's death. Lyrical and conversational. One of the great piano-trio documents.
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13Waltz for DebbyBill Evans
Waltz for Debby
From the same legendary Vanguard afternoon, all delicacy and dialogue between three musicians listening hard. Tender and timeless. A desert-island jazz record.
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14The Black Saint and the Sinner LadyCharles Mingus
The Black Saint and the Sinner Lady
An ambitious, through-composed suite blending jazz, classical and flamenco into something cinematic and intense. Singular even within Mingus's catalogue. A bold, rewarding listen.
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15Saxophone ColossusSonny Rollins
Saxophone Colossus
A definitive hard-bop statement, melodic and muscular, home to the calypso 'St. Thomas'. Effortlessly inventive. One of the great tenor records.
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16Moanin'Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers
Moanin'
A soulful, hard-swinging hard-bop classic anchored by its gospel-tinged title track. Tight and joyful. Essential Blue Note.
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17Speak No EvilWayne Shorter
Speak No Evil
Elegant, mysterious post-bop with an all-star band, balancing accessibility and depth. Beautifully composed. A Blue Note classic.
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18Out to Lunch!Eric Dolphy
Out to Lunch!
Angular, adventurous avant-bop that still sounds startling, played by a fearless band. Challenging and rewarding. A landmark of the new thing.
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19The Shape of Jazz to ComeOrnette Coleman
The Shape of Jazz to Come
The album that announced free jazz, melodic yet liberated from chord changes. Revolutionary and surprisingly tuneful. A pivotal record.
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20Ellington at NewportDuke Ellington
Ellington at Newport
The electrifying live comeback that revived Ellington's career. Thrilling and historic. One of the great live jazz records.
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21Chet Baker SingsChet Baker
Chet Baker Sings
Fragile, intimate vocal jazz that became a cult favourite, all cool understatement. Tender and timeless. A late-night essential.
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22Getz/GilbertoStan Getz and João Gilberto
Getz/Gilberto
The album that brought bossa nova to the world, smooth and sun-dappled, introducing 'The Girl from Ipanema'. Effortlessly beautiful. A massive, enduring success.
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23I Put a Spell on YouNina Simone
I Put a Spell on You
A commanding set spanning jazz, soul and chanson, sung with unmatched gravity. 'Feeling Good' anchors it. Essential Simone.
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24The EpicKamasi Washington
The Epic
A nearly three-hour debut of widescreen spiritual jazz with choir and strings. Ambitious and immersive. A landmark of the modern jazz revival.
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25Black RadioRobert Glasper
Black Radio
A genre-melting fusion of jazz, hip-hop, soul and R&B with star guests. Influential and warm. The bridge between jazz and modern Black music.
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26Birth of the CoolMiles Davis
Birth of the Cool
The recordings that codified cool jazz, trading bebop's heat for relaxed, arranged elegance with a nonet. Their influence on West Coast jazz was immense. Restrained, sophisticated and historically pivotal.
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27MilestonesMiles Davis
Milestones
A pivotal modal-leaning hard-bop peak with the first great quintet expanded. Swinging and assured. A bridge to Kind of Blue.
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28NefertitiMiles Davis
Nefertiti
A peak of the second great quintet, melody and rhythm subtly inverted. Sophisticated and acclaimed. A modern-jazz landmark.
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29My Favorite ThingsJohn Coltrane
My Favorite Things
A landmark soprano-sax reinvention of the show tune into hypnotic modal jazz. Inventive and beloved. A genre touchstone.
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30BalladsJohn Coltrane
Ballads
A tender, lyrical record of standards played with restraint. Beautiful and beloved. A gentle entry point.
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31Monk's MusicThelonious Monk
Monk's Music
A robust septet session of Monk's angular tunes. Swinging and acclaimed. A strong record.
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32Portrait in JazzBill Evans
Portrait in Jazz
The trio's debut, introducing the conversational interplay that changed jazz piano. Lyrical and influential. A cornerstone.
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33Somethin' ElseCannonball Adderley
Somethin' Else
A relaxed, blue hard-bop session featuring Miles Davis, anchored by a gorgeous 'Autumn Leaves'. Cool and assured. A Blue Note favourite.
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34The SidewinderLee Morgan
The Sidewinder
A funky, danceable hard-bop hit built on an irresistible title-track groove. Accessible and infectious. A crossover classic.
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35Song for My FatherHorace Silver
Song for My Father
Soulful, Latin-tinged hard bop with one of jazz's most recognisable basslines. Warm and groovy. An accessible classic.
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36Maiden VoyageHerbie Hancock
Maiden Voyage
An elegant, oceanic post-bop classic with an unforgettable title track. Cohesive and beautifully played by an all-star band. A graceful entry point to Blue Note.
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37Empyrean IslesHerbie Hancock
Empyrean Isles
A spare, adventurous quartet date, home to 'Cantaloupe Island'. Inventive and beloved. A Blue Note gem.
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38JujuWayne Shorter
Juju
A modal, Coltrane-influenced peak of mysterious composition. Bold and acclaimed. A Blue Note classic.
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39The Real McCoyMcCoy Tyner
The Real McCoy
A powerful post-Coltrane peak of muscular modal piano. Dynamic and acclaimed. A Blue Note classic.
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40Page OneJoe Henderson
Page One
A strong hard-bop debut, home to 'Recorda Me' and 'Blue Bossa'. Tuneful and beloved. A Blue Note favourite.
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41Idle MomentsGrant Green
Idle Moments
A mellow, late-night Blue Note gem of warm guitar and space. Smooth and beloved. A perfect mood record.
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42Way Out WestSonny Rollins
Way Out West
A relaxed, piano-less trio peak of cowboy-themed swing. Inventive and beloved. A classic.
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43The BridgeSonny Rollins
The Bridge
A comeback after his famous sabbatical, sharp and assured. Strong and acclaimed. A return to form.
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44Free Jazz: A Collective ImprovisationOrnette Coleman
Free Jazz: A Collective Improvisation
The double-quartet landmark that named free jazz. Radical and influential. A genre cornerstone.
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45KarmaPharoah Sanders
Karma
A transcendent spiritual-jazz statement built around the side-long 'The Creator Has a Master Plan'. Ecstatic and immersive. A genre cornerstone.
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46Journey in SatchidanandaAlice Coltrane
Journey in Satchidananda
A serene, modal spiritual-jazz masterpiece of harp, sax and drone. Meditative and beautiful. A singular, beloved record.
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47Pithecanthropus ErectusCharles Mingus
Pithecanthropus Erectus
An early, ambitious peak of programmatic jazz and collective fire. Bold and influential. A landmark.
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48GoDexter Gordon
Go
A relaxed, swinging hard-bop peak of big-toned tenor. Warm and assured. A Blue Note favourite.
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49Heavy WeatherWeather Report
Heavy Weather
The most accessible jazz-fusion record, home to the ubiquitous 'Birdland' and Jaco's bass. Polished and joyful. A fusion landmark.
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50The Inner Mounting FlameMahavishnu Orchestra
The Inner Mounting Flame
A ferocious jazz-fusion landmark of virtuosic intensity. Explosive and influential. A genre cornerstone.
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51The Koln ConcertKeith Jarrett
The Koln Concert
A wholly improvised solo piano concert that became the best-selling of its kind. Flowing, melodic and transcendent. A singular live document.
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52Porgy and BessMiles Davis
Porgy and Bess
A lush Gershwin reworking with Gil Evans's orchestrations. Gorgeous and beloved. A high point.
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53Miles SmilesMiles Davis
Miles Smiles
A peak of the second quintet's elastic, exploratory post-bop. Sophisticated and acclaimed. A landmark.
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54On the CornerMiles Davis
On the Corner
A dense, funk-and-electronics landmark divisive on release and later revered. Bold and influential. A cult masterpiece.
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55CrescentJohn Coltrane
Crescent
A reflective, spiritual peak of the classic quartet. Beautiful and acclaimed. A prelude to A Love Supreme.
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56MeditationsJohn Coltrane
Meditations
A fierce, spiritual free-jazz peak. Intense and acclaimed. A late landmark.
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57Tijuana MoodsCharles Mingus
Tijuana Moods
A vivid, colourful peak of large-group invention. Bold and beloved. A high point.
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58ExplorationsBill Evans
Explorations
A lyrical trio peak of conversational interplay. Beautiful and acclaimed. A high point.
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59Everybody Digs Bill EvansBill Evans
Everybody Digs Bill Evans
An early peak of lyrical piano trio work. Beautiful and acclaimed. A cornerstone.
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60Solo MonkThelonious Monk
Solo Monk
An intimate solo-piano peak of idiosyncratic touch. Singular and beloved. A high point.
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61Speak Like a ChildHerbie Hancock
Speak Like a Child
A gentle, impressionistic peak of lush harmony. Beautiful and acclaimed. A Blue Note gem.
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62Future ShockHerbie Hancock
Future Shock
An electro-funk landmark, home to the scratch-driven 'Rockit'. Inventive and huge. A pivotal record.
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63Adam's AppleWayne Shorter
Adam's Apple
A warm, melodic post-bop peak, home to 'Footprints'. Beautiful and beloved. A high point.
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64A Night at the Village VanguardSonny Rollins
A Night at the Village Vanguard
A landmark piano-less live trio date. Inventive and beloved. A high point.
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65Mercy, Mercy, Mercy! Live at 'The Club'Cannonball Adderley
Mercy, Mercy, Mercy! Live at 'The Club'
A soulful, funky live peak, home to its gospel-tinged title hit. Joyful and beloved. A crossover classic.
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66Search for the New LandLee Morgan
Search for the New Land
An ambitious, modal-leaning peak of adventurous hard bop. Bold and acclaimed. A high point.
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67Red ClayFreddie Hubbard
Red Clay
A vibrant fusion-leaning post-bop peak of fiery trumpet and groove. Energetic and acclaimed. His finest hour.
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68Change of the CenturyOrnette Coleman
Change of the Century
A bold free-jazz peak of melodic liberation. Inventive and acclaimed. A genre cornerstone.
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69Art Pepper Meets the Rhythm SectionArt Pepper
Art Pepper Meets the Rhythm Section
A peak of West Coast cool, Pepper paired with Miles's rhythm section. Lyrical and beloved. A classic.
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70Study in BrownClifford Brown & Max Roach
Study in Brown
A peak of hard-bop craft, Brown's lyrical trumpet to the fore. Swinging and warm. A genre classic.
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71We Insist! Max Roach's Freedom Now SuiteMax Roach
We Insist! Max Roach's Freedom Now Suite
A fierce civil-rights jazz statement of protest and power. Urgent and historic. A landmark record.
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72Point of DepartureAndrew Hill
Point of Departure
An adventurous post-bop peak of knotty composition and stellar players. Challenging and rewarding. A Blue Note gem.
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73UnityLarry Young
Unity
A landmark of modal jazz organ. Inventive and beloved. A Blue Note classic.
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74The Incredible Jazz Guitar of Wes MontgomeryWes Montgomery
The Incredible Jazz Guitar of Wes Montgomery
A landmark of warm, octave-rich jazz guitar. Smooth and influential. A genre touchstone.
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75John Coltrane and Johnny HartmanJohn Coltrane & Johnny Hartman
John Coltrane and Johnny Hartman
A sublime ballads collaboration of tenor and baritone voice. Tender and timeless. A romantic classic.
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76Money JungleDuke Ellington, Charles Mingus & Max Roach
Money Jungle
A spirited, tense summit of three giants. Bold and acclaimed. A singular record.
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77Ella and LouisElla Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong
Ella and Louis
A warm, effortless pairing of two jazz giants on standards. Charming and timeless. A beloved record.
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78Lady in SatinBillie Holiday
Lady in Satin
A devastating late-career record of frayed voice and deep feeling, backed by strings. Raw and moving. A poignant landmark.
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79Space Is the PlaceSun Ra
Space Is the Place
A cosmic, big-band Afrofuturist landmark of free jazz and ritual. Wild and visionary. A singular record.
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80Ptah, the El DaoudAlice Coltrane
Ptah, the El Daoud
A serene, modal spiritual-jazz peak. Meditative and beloved. A high point.
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81Trust in the Lifeforce of the Deep MysteryThe Comet Is Coming
Trust in the Lifeforce of the Deep Mystery
A propulsive, cosmic jazz-electronic peak. Bold and acclaimed. A modern landmark.
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82Your Queen Is a ReptileSons of Kemet
Your Queen Is a Reptile
A fierce, percussive UK-jazz peak of political fire. Bold and acclaimed. A modern landmark.
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83SourceNubya Garcia
Source
A warm, dub-tinged UK-jazz debut. Bold and acclaimed. A breakthrough.
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84PromisesFloating Points, Pharoah Sanders & the LSO
Promises
A hushed, gorgeous late collaboration of electronics, sax and orchestra. Meditative and acclaimed. A modern landmark.
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85Live at the Village VanguardJohn Coltrane
Live at the Village Vanguard
A fiery live document of the classic quartet pushing outward. Intense and acclaimed. A landmark.
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86Blues & RootsCharles Mingus
Blues & Roots
A raucous, gospel-and-blues-charged peak of collective fire. Bold and beloved. A high point.
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87ThrustHerbie Hancock
Thrust
A funky, polished jazz-fusion peak. Groovy and beloved. A high point.
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88Free for AllArt Blakey and the Jazz Messengers
Free for All
A fiery, hard-driving hard-bop peak. Powerful and acclaimed. A high point.
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89Blowin' the Blues AwayHorace Silver
Blowin' the Blues Away
A soulful, swinging hard-bop peak. Tuneful and beloved. A high point.
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90CornbreadLee Morgan
Cornbread
A soulful hard-bop peak, home to 'Ceora'. Tuneful and beloved. A high point.
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91Soul StationHank Mobley
Soul Station
A perfectly poised hard-bop peak of warm tenor. Smooth and beloved. A Blue Note classic.
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92Midnight BlueKenny Burrell
Midnight Blue
A relaxed, bluesy guitar gem of late-night cool. Smooth and beloved. A perfect mood record.
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93Smokin' at the Half NoteWes Montgomery
Smokin' at the Half Note
A peak of live jazz guitar with a swinging rhythm section. Warm and beloved. A genre classic.
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94Spiritual UnityAlbert Ayler
Spiritual Unity
A raw, foundational free-jazz landmark of overblown tenor and feeling. Intense and influential. A genre cornerstone.
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95Return to ForeverChick Corea
Return to Forever
A bright, Latin-tinged fusion landmark of airy grooves. Warm and influential. A genre favourite.
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96Light as a FeatherChick Corea
Light as a Feather
A bright, Latin-tinged fusion peak, home to 'Spain'. Warm and beloved. A genre favourite.
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97Birds of FireMahavishnu Orchestra
Birds of Fire
A blazing fusion peak of complex, electric intensity. Virtuosic and acclaimed. A genre high point.
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98Hub-TonesFreddie Hubbard
Hub-Tones
A vibrant hard-bop peak of fiery trumpet. Bold and acclaimed. A Blue Note classic.
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99Heaven and EarthKamasi Washington
Heaven and Earth
A vast, ambitious double album of widescreen spiritual jazz. Bold and acclaimed. A modern high point.
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100IVBadBadNotGood
IV
A genre-blending modern-jazz peak of hip-hop feel. Cool and acclaimed. A high point.
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101Where I'm Meant to BeEzra Collective
Where I'm Meant to Be
A joyful, danceable UK-jazz peak that won the Mercury Prize. Warm and acclaimed. A modern landmark.
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102Universal BeingsMakaya McCraven
Universal Beings
An inventive, improvisation-built modern-jazz peak. Bold and acclaimed. A high point.
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103Emily's D+EvolutionEsperanza Spalding
Emily's D+Evolution
An adventurous jazz-rock-soul peak. Bold and acclaimed. A creative high.