Fantastic Modern Jazz Albums

The list author says:
	"To get the list going, I have decided to start with some more familiar territory. This is an excellent album by most of the group who, with Bill Evans, went on to record Kind of Blue a year later."

The list author says:
	"This is of course one of Coltrane’s classic albums. The rest of the list includes a range of musicians and highlights some fantastic albums not all of which may be quite so well known."

The list author says:
	"Beauty is in the ear of the beholder. And, for me, this has to be one of the finest jazz albums ever recorded. This is lyrical but with sweeping passion. It has energy and emotion but finesse too."

The list author says:
	"Another absolutely fantastic album. Tjader is enthusiastic and sublimely melodic. Getz subtly complements his mood perfectly. Guraldi is also excellent on piano. This is equally swingin’ and mellow."

The list author says:
	"This is not a little gem. This is a masterclass. Jazz is improvisation but this is stunningly deft and assured. Wes and Wynton are fantastic. This is pacey, tight, funky and highly melodic."

The list author says:
	"Not his best known but a great album. With Fuller on trombone, this has the feel of big-ish, bop band. They sweep along in a kind of modern jazz wall of sound. This is sunny, light and atmospheric too"

The list author says:
	"A fabulous, fascinating Bill Evans album from 1969, also featuring the flautist Jeremy Steig. There is wonderful solo work interwoven with an evocation of diverse, intense moods. It can be found."

The list author says:
	"Chet’s playing is superb. It is considered, soulful and intensely emotional. There is also excellent solo and ensemble support from Griffin, Al Haig, Chambers, Philly JJ. The album is mostly mid-tempo"

The list author says:
	"Unbelievably, finally reissued on CD. This is a mature DG on fabulous, top form. It has focus and control but also a laidback, 70s, sweet, sunny, blowzy, funkiness. Cables is also excellent on piano."

The list author says:
	"An originating genius of bop. His style is spare, phlegmatic, seemingly almost careless. But no one has coaxed more soul from a tenor sax. Enter the deepest, smokiest, most back street of ‘40s dives."

The list author says:
	"A set of tremendous energy, pace, verve and some larking about! The reissue adds interesting pieces from former Boogie diva Mary Lou Williams and my now favourite version of A Night In Tunisia."

The list author says:
	"This is a superb little album. Its mostly bright and breezy with good tunes. Some tracks add a soulful mood. There is great solo and group improvisation that characterises the best of jazz."

The list author says:
	"The most up-beat of a respected series. The line up isn’t well known but its greatness in no small measure is due to that underrated genius Vic Feldman. This is sweet and tuneful with zip and energy."

The list author says:
	"Classic early Getz album. But there is little of the cool sound associated with the West Coast tag. As usual Getz is mellow and thick-toned but also brisk and bright. As a whole, this is a great set."

The list author says:
	"Quartets need a good line up and boy does this have it: Mobley, Kelly, Chambers, Blakey. The music is sunny and lyrical but with emotion, bite and depth too. This album is deservedly well loved."

The list author says:
	"Monk deserves his status but the cult element can be overdone. For reasons of idiosyncrasy, he often recorded with particular sidemen. Here he’s playing with the great Johnny Griffin. This is superb."

The list author says:
	"Recorded shortly before Brown’s death. It also features Sonny Rollins who then went on to record Saxophone Colossus with Roach. This is fabulous mid 50s jazz. It has great tunes and improvisation."

The list author says:
	"Jazz heading in the free direction but which is not yet white noise. This still has structure, tone, mood and colour. It has a jagged, spiky, stark atmosphere that rewards repeated listening."

The list author says:
	"No introduction to modern jazz would complete without some Bird. The box set Boss Bird is a wonderful collection of studio sides. Here is an alternative of live radio performances from the late 40s."

The list author says:
	"Early recordings from the cool school. As such, this may initially seem cool as clinical but it has an understated warmth and vitality. There is that something which characterises all great jazz."

The list author says:
	"The 70s wasn’t all hep to the free. A great album with plenty of soul, life and funkiness. Dizzy is his usually ebullient self, Oscar adds a platform of freewheeling drive and Eldridge imbues history"

The list author says:
	"This album has a washed-out funkiness marking the 1967, New Thing trend. Tyner’s playing shimmers and dances as it flows and cascades. Elvin Jones’ drumming is wonderfully energetic and inventive."

The list author says:
	"Herbie’s debut album and what a fantastic line up: Dexter G., Hubbard, etc. There is wonderful solo work here. This is classic early 60s jazz, beginning with the famous, funky Watermelon Man."

The list author says:
	"Mr Payton is a genuine new(ish) talent. In this postmodern era, not all that claims or wants to be really is jazz. Jazz is a tradition and this stew brilliantly honours, reinterprets and innovates."

The list author says:
	"This is great but what you really want is Dreams Are Free, 1979. My brother and I heard them live then and we agree that DAF is a masterpiece. Jazz may be reputation but is essentially performance."