Albums of 1960
The records from 1960 that made our lists.
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1Portrait 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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2Blues & RootsCharles Mingus
Blues & Roots
A raucous, gospel-and-blues-charged peak of collective fire. Bold and beloved. A high point.
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3At Last!Etta James
At Last!
Lush, soulful blues balladry defined by the timeless title track. Powerful and warm. A standard-setting record.
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4Soul StationHank Mobley
Soul Station
A perfectly poised hard-bop peak of warm tenor. Smooth and beloved. A Blue Note classic.
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5Giant 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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6We 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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7Sketches 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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8At Newport 1960Muddy Waters
At Newport 1960
A landmark live document of electric Chicago blues at its hottest. Thrilling and historic. A genre cornerstone.
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9Change 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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10The 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.