Albums of 1959
The records from 1959 that made our lists.
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1Moanin'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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2Mingus 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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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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4Blowin' the Blues AwayHorace Silver
Blowin' the Blues Away
A soulful, swinging hard-bop peak. Tuneful and beloved. A high point.
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5Moanin' in the MoonlightHowlin' Wolf
Moanin' in the Moonlight
A foundational compilation of Wolf's early Chicago-blues power. Raw and historic. Essential blues.
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6Gunfighter Ballads and Trail SongsMarty Robbins
Gunfighter Ballads and Trail Songs
A cinematic Western-country landmark, home to 'El Paso'. Vivid and beloved. A genre classic.
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7Kind 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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8Porgy 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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9The 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.