Top 25 Jazz Albums continued...

Moanin' -Art Blakey

Here's another gem from 1958. Art Blakey assembled an all-star group consisting of Lee Morgan, Bobby Timmons, Benny Golson (who wrote four of the six songs) and Jymie Merritt. The title song, Moanin, became an instant hit with it's catchy New Orleans style. In fact, Woody Shaw was asked once for his biggest influence and he quickly replied, "The solo Lee Morgan takes on Moanin." I really enjoy the song, Along Came Betty as well.

Clifford Brown and Max Roach -Clifford Brown

Clifford Brown was one of the most revered until his untimely death in 1956 at age 25. Who knows what he would of done to the face of jazz as it developed through the 60's if he'd remained alive. His playing is so technically polished and perfected that he is constantly studied by trumpeters. This music just radiates joy with brilliant playing by the entire cast. I had one teacher in college that insisted that Brown's solo on Joy Spring is THE best solo ever recorded in all of jazz.

At Carnegie Hall -Thelonious Monk and John Coltrane

We are lucky to be alive after this recording was discovered in 2005. This is a documented concert at a pivotal point in Coltrane's career. In early 1957, Coltrane was kicked out of Miles Davis' band for heroin use and joined up with Monk for about a year. We had one recording from April to July 1957, early in their partnership but this recording is from November 28, 1957. The two work together with their different styles. Cotrane is playing lightning fast complex lines (inspired by Monk's unique runs perhaps) and Monk remains sparse but poignant. This album can be listened to countless times and is filled with brilliance.

This is Hank Mobley's best album. Hank's saxophone playing is some of the most lyrical and accessible playing I've ever heard. This was one of the first albums that I was easily singing along with every note to whenever I listened to it. Part of the reason is that Hank's band consists of the most swinging players of that time with Art Blakey, Paul Chambers, and Wynton Kelly. I considered this to be my favorite album for about two years of my life and still fall back in love with it every time I hear it.

In 1958, this album brought together a few different styles of jazz with its all-star cast. There was Miles from the school of cool, Adderley from the school of bebop, and Art Blakey from the school of hard-bop, Hank Jones from the school of swing, and finally the versatile Sam Jones on bass. This album sounds more like it should be under the name of Miles Davis because he's playing most the melodies. Well, this album is legendary and every track is glorious.

This album is concentrated with some of Shorter's best tunes. Recorded in 1964, these songs suggest a more modern flavor than the bebop and hard bop from the decade prior. The group consists of Wayne Shorter, Freddie Hubbard, Herbie Hancock, Ron Carter, and Elvin Jones. Each songs invokes a strong mood and the soloing is very interesting, easily capturing the listener's attention.

Birth of the Cool -Miles Davis

Miles was playing with Charlie Parker at the time of this recording in 1949. He decided to team up with arranger Gil Evans and create a masterpiece which was a little different than the blazing bebop of the time. The music is very lush and mellow but still not lacking energy. It's the perfect backing for Miles' subtle and emotional trumpet style. This new genre of "cool" jazz evolved into the whole west coast jazz style in California.

Maiden Voyage -Herbie Hancock

This is one of the great albums by Herbie Hancock. He uses the same band from Miles' second quintet but replaces Miles with Freddie Hubbard (also George Coleman is on instead of Wayne Shorter). Herbie captures the spirit of the ocean with some modern post bop jazz. The rhythm section of Ron Carter, Tony Williams, and Herbie are an amazing force of textures and communicative playing.

I know this is a debatable album for the Top 25, Vince Guaraldi didn't revolutionize the jazz world and there were far more talented musicians at the time. But what this album did do was introduce jazz to a whole generation of people who might of not discovered it on there own. This album has a child-like innocence to it with its simple and lyrical style. I mean who seriously doesn't love the song, Linus and Lucy? This is a great album for first time jazz listeners. I knew a guy once who said this about Guaraldi, "I would listen to jazz all the time if they played like Vince Guaraldi."

Out to Lunch -Eric Dolphy

This is Dolphy's last studio recording before his death in 1964. It is pretty avant garde and I know a lot of people probably think that the band is just playing random notes, which they certainly are not. This album creates a mysterious sound scape with the use of the talented Bobby Hutcherson on vibes, Freddie Hubbard on trumpet, Richard Davis on bass, and Tony Williams on drums. Check it out if you have an open mind and ear.

Blues and the Abstract Truth -Oliver Nelson

This is a pretty serious album recorded in 1961 which goes in depth on different forms of the blues. The first track, Stolen Moments, is a remarkable use of four horns to create a atmospheric mood with amazing solos from Freddie Hubbard, Eric Dolphy, Nelson, and Bill Evans. This album has the energy and overall quality to even parallel Kind of Blue but with a slightly more modern touch.

Go! -Dexter Gordon

This is Dexter's finest recording which he did in 1962. He has such a smooth, full, confident sound in his playing. Overall, Dexter is pretty much the epitome of a cool jazz cat with his style, looks, and playing. This album makes me feel like I'm in the heart of NYC at a relaxed jazz club.

Sarah Vaughan and Clifford Brown -Sarah Vaughan

Sarah Vaughan has an amazing voice with a comfortable three octave range. She could scat and sing with the same harmonic complexity and feel of the great instrumentalists. She also had an extraordinary ability to communicate lyrics effectively. I like this album from 1954 because it features the great Clifford Brown alongside her as they do some jazz standards like Embraceable You, I'll Remember April, and Lullaby of Birdland.