2. analog
  3. 193512-20042

Help me build up a jazz album collection. Can you suggest a must have album?

Just got back into analog after not having a turntable for 38 years. That was a Thorens TD 320. Now I have a VPI. Building a jazz album collection now since jazz seems to be what I enjoy now. I have barely 12 albums from Miles Davis, Art Blakey, King Curtis, Ray Charles, John Coltrane, Ike Quebec and Illinios Jacquet. Can you suggest a must have album? I generally like great sax, and percussion and sometimes a good vocalist, but I am open to anything that sounds GREAT. Also, if there is a particular label, issue or type of album. Thanks in advance.

2psyop
whipsaw
765 posts
 

@wsrrsw You’re welcome. Mingus’ albums were typically very well recorded, and his music is terrific.

And yes, I do the same!

jwildcat89
15 posts
 

One of my favorite recordings is Dave Grusin’s The Gershwin Connection. Not only is the playing outstanding, but the recording is as well. 
if you like big band, there are two Burnin’ for Buddy tribute albums available with guest drummers. It’s super energetic. 

manhattan1
6 posts
 

Pat Metheney Group OFFFRAMP.  Just sensational ensemble with jazz guitar.

wilijon
2 posts
 

With so many great and thoughtful recommendations mentioned above, I hesitate to add another:  Jazz at Massey Hall aka The Greatest Jazz Concert ever.  This is an excellent live recording of be-bop greats at their peak -- Parker, Gillespie, Bud Powell, Charles Mingus (who, as I recall made the recording) and Max Roach.  The recording has been issued under several names and forms over the years.  I have a 70s era double lp under the title The Greatest Jazz Concert Ever on Prestige.  Dizzy's solo on Wee still blows my mind. You can find it relatively cheaply on Discogs.  Snag one!

As others suggested, you can explore from there.  One approach would be to go backwards in time to Jelly Roll Morton in the '20s or forward to today (Yusef Dawes) with many stops along the way in either direction. Or pick an artist (Monk is the guy who hooked me); or an instrument, an era, a label etc.  Whichever path you take, enjoy the music.

 

garybegd
9 posts
 

I love threads like this. I use them to create playlists on my Amazon Music account. I already have a lot of these on vinyl, but new vinyl is way too expensive for me to load up on. Fortunately, I built most of my LP collection in the early CD days, when I could buy 20 good used records for $100. Those were they days!

So instead, I just copy the album name off the thread, paste it into the search box on Amazon Music and add it to the playlist. The one I've built off this thread is 35 hours long, all curated by Audiogon jazz fans. Thanks everybody for introducing me to a lot of great music...a lot of it in higher resolution than CDs.

More to discover