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

I always seem to grab Alternating Currents by Spiro Gyro. Kind of a 'Happy" album. And well mixed. 

Fantastic list

most in my collection due to posts like these here

Chris Connor should be included - she recorded a lot and has many wonderful worthy recordings

I would suggest checking out some Eastern European newer jazz bands- especially Polish. Marcil Wasilewski for example

another great but not well known in the US is Trio Stendhal from Hungary

the guitarist from trio Ferenc Snetberger has many solo albums and they are wonderful. Gabor Szabo would be another long deceased Hungarian jazz guitarist- his fusion of jazz and some gipsy tunes made him very unique

Several Croatian and Macedonian guitarist could be added - while not strictly jazz their guitar mastery is world class - Vlatko Stefanovski, Miroslav Tadic and Goran Ivanovic just to name a few.

Enjoy the journey and the great music!

Agharta - Miles Davis - considered the best live jazz fusion lp ever

Devotion - John McLaughlin - his first solo lp

We Insist! : Freedom Now Suite - Max Roach (No record label would release this: Max had to create his own record label and release this himself)

Eon - Eon

Grazing Dreams - Collin Walcott (of Oregon)

Forgotten Fantasies - David Liebman . Richard Beirach

Focus - Stan Getz

Moanin’ - Art Blakey

A Trubute to Andy Razaaf - Maxine Sullivan

Trumpet Summit - Buck Clayton . Roy Eldridge

Left and Right - Roland Kirk

Afro American Sketches - Oliver Nelson Orchestra

Sea of Faces - Archie Schepp

Sweet Emma - Emma Barrett and Her Preservation Hall Jazz Band

Queen of the Boogie - Hadda Brooks (78 only, I believe)

Music for Player Piano, Vol 1-4 - Conlon Nancarrow (not strictly jazz)

Live at the Five Spot, Vol 1-2 - Eric Dolphy

Zero Hour - Astor Piazzola (jazz tango)

Swiss Movement - Les McCann . Eddie Harris

Tribute a Noro - Kako’s New York After Hour Orchestra

Safari with Sabu - Sabu Martinez

 

For saxophone Dexter Gordon is a favorite of mine. Most any of his albums are good. Getting Around, Go, Doin' Allright, Our Man in Paris. All of these are good. Joe Henderson is another. So Near So Far is a stand out. Stan Getz is another. That should give you a real good start.