Albums of 1965
The records from 1965 that made our lists.
-
1Spiritual UnityAlbert Ayler
Spiritual Unity
A raw, foundational free-jazz landmark of overblown tenor and feeling. Intense and influential. A genre cornerstone.
-
2Live at the RegalB.B. King
Live at the Regal
Widely held to be the greatest live blues album, capturing King's call-and-response mastery and impeccable phrasing. Joyful and electric. A blues essential.
-
3Bert JanschBert Jansch
Bert Jansch
A landmark British folk-guitar debut. Influential and beloved. A genre cornerstone.
-
4Highway 61 RevisitedBob Dylan
Highway 61 Revisited
Dylan plugs in fully and the results are electric in every sense, opening with 'Like a Rolling Stone' and never letting up. The wordplay is savage and funny, the band loose and wild. A foundational rock record that still sounds dangerous.
-
5Bringing It All Back HomeBob Dylan
Bringing It All Back Home
Half electric, half acoustic, the record where Dylan reinvented folk and rock at once. Witty, surreal and prophetic. A pivotal moment in 1960s music.
-
6I've Got a Tiger by the TailBuck Owens
I've Got a Tiger by the Tail
A peak of bright Bakersfield honky-tonk. Tuneful and beloved. A genre cornerstone.
-
7Idle MomentsGrant Green
Idle Moments
A mellow, late-night Blue Note gem of warm guitar and space. Smooth and beloved. A perfect mood record.
-
8Maiden 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.
-
9Song 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.
-
10A 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.
-
11Hoodoo Man BluesJunior Wells
Hoodoo Man Blues
A landmark Chicago-blues record of harmonica and grit, with Buddy Guy on guitar. Tough and authentic. A genre classic.
-
12UnityLarry Young
Unity
A landmark of modal jazz organ. Inventive and beloved. A Blue Note classic.
-
13I 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.
-
14Otis BlueOtis Redding
Otis Blue
Recorded in a single marathon session, it captures Redding's raw, generous soul at its peak, covers and originals alike. Urgent and deeply felt. Essential 1960s soul.
-
15Father of Folk BluesSon House
Father of Folk Blues
A raw, powerful document of Delta-blues rediscovery. Intense and historic. A foundational record.
-
16Rubber SoulThe Beatles
Rubber Soul
The hinge between the early pop group and the studio innovators, folding in folk-rock, soul and a new lyrical maturity. Cohesive and warm, it set the template for the album as a unified work. A turning point that still charms.
-
17Help!The Beatles
Help!
A transitional peak balancing pop and folk-rock, home to its title track and 'Yesterday'. Tuneful and beloved. A bridge to greater ambition.
-
18The Paul Butterfield Blues BandThe Paul Butterfield Blues Band
The Paul Butterfield Blues Band
A landmark white-blues debut that bridged Chicago blues and rock. Tough and influential. A genre cornerstone.
-
19Out of Our HeadsThe Rolling Stones
Out of Our Heads
An early peak, home to '(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction'. Tuneful and beloved. A breakthrough.
-
20My GenerationThe Who
My Generation
A raw, explosive debut of mod fury, home to its iconic title track. Vital and influential. A genre cornerstone.
-
21Solo MonkThelonious Monk
Solo Monk
An intimate solo-piano peak of idiosyncratic touch. Singular and beloved. A high point.
-
22Speak 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.
-
23JujuWayne Shorter
Juju
A modal, Coltrane-influenced peak of mysterious composition. Bold and acclaimed. A Blue Note classic.
-
24Smokin' 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.