Best Modern Postbebop
Easily one of the most important records ever made, John Coltrane's a Love Supreme was his pinnacle studio outing that at once compiled all of his innovations from his past, spoke of his current deep spirituality, and also gave a glimpse into the next two and a half years (sadly, those would be his last).
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"The music is fine, but side 2 has many pops and clicks, even after a few cleanings."
"It just doesn't get much better than this album."
"Product showed up on time and as advertised."
"Received with scratches on album."
"I just don't have the energy to get started with the return process as the product cost only around 10 bucks."
The band itself is extraordinary (proof of Miles Davis's masterful casting skills, if not of God's existence), listing John Coltrane and Julian "Cannonball" Adderley on saxophones, Bill Evans (or, on "Freddie Freeloader," Wynton Kelly) on piano, and the crack rhythm unit of Paul Chambers on bass and Jimmy Cobb on drums. Coltrane's astringency on tenor is counterpoised to Adderley's funky self on alto, with Davis moderating between them as Bill Evans conjures up a still lake of sound on which they walk.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I can't tell you in words what it is about this album but once I started listening to it, I was completely engrossed."
"Damn... this is truly nice to listen to with the lights turned down after a day dealing with the general public."
"A great CD by a Jazz masters Miles David."
"sublimely majestic "ear candy" for Miles and Jazz fans."
"This is one of my first Miles recordings....many years ago."
"Mellow mood!"
"Jazz greats improving under leader Miles Davis: Bill Evans, Wynton Kelly (on Freddie Freeloader only), Jimmy Cobb, John Coltrane, Cannonball Adderley, and Paul Chambers."
"It's very melodic and accessible, while also being serious jazz played by some of the greatest artists of the genre (including Bill Evans on piano and John Coltrane on tenor sax)."
Head Hunters was a pivotal point in Herbie Hancock's career, bringing him into the vanguard of jazz fusion.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Sounds superb says its an import anyone know from where?"
"You have to like jazz and jazz fusion music to begin with, and if you do this is a CD you should down."
"This album really illustrates or highlights the intro to fusion."
"Purchased as a gift."
"One of my favorites from my younger days."
"Warning - there is a stereo only version and a stereo/multichannel version of this as a Super Audio CD (SACD)."
"This is one of Herbie Hancock's classic albums."
Best Jazz Piano
The classic hits of Frank Sinatra are presented with style and grace in an intimate jazz trio setting.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"As I own more than 20 Beegie CD's I feel well qualified to give it a top rating."
"Sing it to me Frank, This one is sweet to/for ALLl festive OCCASIONS."
"Great."
"Wife liked it so I'm in good shape."
"Wonderful CD --listen to it a lot!"
"Some reviewers here didn't like this album as much as her others."
"I'm usually quite critical, discerning usually, but since finding Beegie Adair...every arrangement she does would get an A+ from my college music theory instructor!"
"Great Music of Sinatra favorites."
Best Modern Post Bop
Maiden Voyage is a masterpiece of the school, with Hancock's enduring compositions like "Maiden Voyage" and "Dolphin Dance" mingling creative tension and calm repose with strong melodies and airy, suspended harmonies that give form to his evocative sea imagery.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Better than a warm pair of non-slip socks!"
"Buy it for the title track, keep it for the rest."
"Not up there with Miles's Kind of Blue or Brubeck's Time Out (or any Keith Jarrett Trio CDs) as far as fidelity goes."
"Evoking the ocean, this classic Blue Note date , shows Herbie Hancock at his greatest as pianist and composer."
"This goes way back in the alley, as BB king would say."
"Of course when reviewing anything especially music, it can get quite subjective."
"Herbie Hancock ushered in a whole new type of jazz, along with Bill Evans, Dave Brubeck and others."
Best Avant-Garde
Sanders will be forever known as the tenor saxophonist who stood beside John Coltrane during the last years of the ultimate tenor saxophonist's life, and on this 2 CD set, five of the 12 compositions are by Coltrane.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I love the song Light at the edge of the world and Lonnies Lament."
"It was only when I begin to see it as a kind of ultimate exercise by Sanders into the fabulous capability of the tenor sax to produce simply ravishing sounds that I began to see its genius. Thus, when I listen to his absolutely absorbing rendering of that incredibly overrecorded standard, Ellington's "In a Sentimental Mood," I find myself first drawn in by his ravishing tone, then enfolded in the tune's inherent poignancy, in a way that I've never been with another player. In other words, feeling becomes an outworking of a technique so profound, so overwhelming, that one's only response is yield to the inherent emotional depth of the tune. Taken at a leisurely pace, sans pyrotechnics, Sanders (and the quartet) allows the inherent beauty of the tune to naturally unfold, as it were. This is so far removed from the deconstructionist tendencies (of which I, generally, am a fan) that rule modern jazz as to render Sanders almost an archaic figure. Yet they consistently provide the ideal playing enviornment for Sanders--and not in the mail-in-your-chops way that Sonny Rollins' bandmates for the last ten years seem to have done."
"There is a tangible melancholic mood to this sublime 2 disk album, with Pharoah displaying a restrained confidence and warmth, that for those listeners that are only familiar with Pharoah's work, via albums like "Karma" & "Africa" with be pleasantly surprised with this sorely underrated masterpiece. It's an album that is unhurried and tempo, and reflective in mood, and considering the majority of Pharoahs work, ultimately a more introspective and insular album."
"Listen to this set,and you'll discover a great tenor player,so close to his ancesters,Hawkins and Webster.I wish Albert Ayler was still alive,because I think he would have given us such great records,combining the respect and love for older masters and shades of the free years.Albert's voice can still be heard in David Murray's playing, thanks God.Here is the voice of a master of tenor saxophone,and this one can be heard and loved by all jazz lovers, even those who can't endure free jazz.Don't be afraid by the image you can have of Pharoah Sanders; if your saxophone references are Bean or Ben,or Don Byas,or even Lester, you'll like this record."
Best Bebop
Easily one of the most important records ever made, John Coltrane's a Love Supreme was his pinnacle studio outing that at once compiled all of his innovations from his past, spoke of his current deep spirituality, and also gave a glimpse into the next two and a half years (sadly, those would be his last).
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"The music is fine, but side 2 has many pops and clicks, even after a few cleanings."
"It just doesn't get much better than this album."
"Product showed up on time and as advertised."
"I just don't have the energy to get started with the return process as the product cost only around 10 bucks."
Best European Jazz
Britain's greatest pop diva Dusty Springfield was the finest blue-eyed soul singer of her era, and this landmark Atlantic Records album from 1969 is a masterpiece, a perfect marriage of pop and soul.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"This was no "One Hit Wonder" to be sure and gaining the title of the "Best Female Pop Singer in the WORLD" was no easy feat back then! Her incredibly fine voice, her inimitable style, her impeccable phrasing, her acute musical ear and her production sensibilities were well in advance of her years. When she recorded these songs in Memphis, albeit piecemeal, and released it in 1969, the music world was in flux and she was still being perceived and marketed as a "Teen Pop Singer." Still too young to rest on her laurels and not yet at the stage of being a Bona Fide cabaret singer...combined with not fitting into the current mold of music of the late 1960's, I'm sure they didn't know what to make of her song choices on this album! Close your eyes, and as you listen, hear the remnants of the tried and true Dusty combined with the new in a musical setting that cannot be described as anything short of astounding!"
"Dusty made a debut in the. American South here, The music is exquisite and includes. every superb genre she is so noted for, including the sexy. "Breakfast in Bed", "I Don't Want to Hear It Anymore" with. its haunting back-up vocals, and the sensual dream of "The. Windmills of Your Mind"."
"I keep listening over and over."
"Every song is first rate with a distinctly adult sensibility, and Dusty Springfield wraps her voice around each one with tremendous power and sexy sizzle, transitioning with remarkable ease between the soul-inflected "Son of a Preacher Man" and the night club-ish "Windmills of You Mind," to name but two cuts from this stunning set. This is the timeless essence of woman, laid bare without any tricks or games, authoritative, unpretentious, absolutely honest, not simply of a single era or musical style but for ever and all time."
"O c ourse I heard it back then."
"On time and as described.."
"I returned the lp and will search for a warmer more soothing sounding lp."
Best Jazz Fusion
Head Hunters was a pivotal point in Herbie Hancock's career, bringing him into the vanguard of jazz fusion.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Sounds superb says its an import anyone know from where?"
"You have to like jazz and jazz fusion music to begin with, and if you do this is a CD you should down."
"This album really illustrates or highlights the intro to fusion."
"Purchased as a gift."
"One of my favorites from my younger days."
"Warning - there is a stereo only version and a stereo/multichannel version of this as a Super Audio CD (SACD)."
"This is one of Herbie Hancock's classic albums."
Best Jive Jazz
A spirited 22-song collection that includes The Calloway Boogie; Papa's In Bed with His Britches On; Boo-Wah, Boo-Wah; Hep Cat's Love Song; Foo a Little Bally-Hoo , along with three unreleased tunes!
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I love his style, zoot suit wearing self, handsome and a sweet, naughty twinkle in his eye, I saw Stormy weather, the film. He even traveled in a private rail train, to avoid Jim Crow, and white only hotels. However, we can dream, and visualize him and his smooth zoot suit, singing and at thw head of his orchestra."
"I was fortunate enough to see Cab Calloway perform at the Hollywood Bowl many years ago and he really knows how to put on a show."
"Love this CD."
"Bought this for one song and like the whole CD."
"Most tracks are very clean; one or two have a more dated sound to the mix, one recorded live, I believe, and another probably the oldest in the collection."
"The mold was broken after Cab came out of it."
"A generous collection of well transferred Cab Calloway favorites with excellent liner notes by Al Quaglieri, who not only informs but provides his notes in the Cab Calloway linguistic style."
Best Cool Jazz
One of the most popular and beloved holiday albums of all-time now available for the very first time on collectable green vinyl!
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"This is worth it even if you are not a Charlie Brown fan (hard to believe) because of the incredible jazz talent of Guaraldi."
"Just be aware that 99% of them are strictly instrumental, I believe only 1 song has actual singing."
"Used to listen to this when I was a kid at Christmas time, and it’s still great to listen to I’m so glad I found it on Amazon!"
"If you're fond of the Christmas Charlie Brown cartoon video you'll love all the original music in this CD; a true classic."
"Nothing says "Christmas" more than "A Charlie Brown Christmas"."
"Who doesn't like Charlie Brown."
"Great album and a reasonable price (for brand new) and the green special edition is cool."
"Not enough stars to give for this always appropriate holiday cd."
Best Smooth Jazz
One of the most popular and beloved holiday albums of all-time now available for the very first time on collectable green vinyl!
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"This is worth it even if you are not a Charlie Brown fan (hard to believe) because of the incredible jazz talent of Guaraldi."
"Just be aware that 99% of them are strictly instrumental, I believe only 1 song has actual singing."
"Used to listen to this when I was a kid at Christmas time, and it’s still great to listen to I’m so glad I found it on Amazon!"
"If you're fond of the Christmas Charlie Brown cartoon video you'll love all the original music in this CD; a true classic."
"Nothing says "Christmas" more than "A Charlie Brown Christmas"."
"Who doesn't like Charlie Brown."
"Great album and a reasonable price (for brand new) and the green special edition is cool."
"Not enough stars to give for this always appropriate holiday cd."
Best Vocal Jazz
One of the most popular and beloved holiday albums of all-time now available for the very first time on collectable green vinyl!
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"This is worth it even if you are not a Charlie Brown fan (hard to believe) because of the incredible jazz talent of Guaraldi."
"Just be aware that 99% of them are strictly instrumental, I believe only 1 song has actual singing."
"Used to listen to this when I was a kid at Christmas time, and it’s still great to listen to I’m so glad I found it on Amazon!"
"Original songs magnificent!."
"If you're fond of the Christmas Charlie Brown cartoon video you'll love all the original music in this CD; a true classic."
"Nothing says "Christmas" more than "A Charlie Brown Christmas"."
"Who doesn't like Charlie Brown."
"Great album and a reasonable price (for brand new) and the green special edition is cool."
Best Latin Jazz
It went on to sell over 21 million copies worldwide, earning critical acclaim, as well as considerable controversy and protest from groups such as GLAAD for its homophobic and violent lyrics.18 tracks.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"One of his better albums (there are many)."
"Came as expected!"
"Love Em."
"For those who have never heard this album, if you’re an Eminem fan (new or old) pick this up."
"Since this isn't really a review about the musical content of the vinyl (as anyone purchasing this has undoubtedly heard the MMLP already), I will say that it was packaged perfectly."
"Got here on time, works perfectly fine."
"©® Bowden's Masonry/Another Day Music/Designing By Grace."
Best New Orleans Jazz
If you set out to create a single anthology that charted all the twists and tributaries of that uniquely American river we call jazz, you couldn't do better than this companion set to the PBS series-94 tracks on 5 CDs licensed from virtually every important label in the history of the music. Includes The Pearls Jelly Roll Morton; Charleston James P. Johnson; West End Blues Louis Armstrong & His Hot Five; The Mooche Duke Ellington; Singin' the Blues Frankie Trumbauer & His Orchestra featuring Bix Beiderbecke; Moten Swing Benny Moten's Kansas City Orchestra; Strange Fruit Billie Holiday; Three Little Words Art Tatum; Body and Soul Coleman Hawkins; In the Mood Glenn Miller; Take Five Dave Brubeck; So What Miles Davis; Giant Steps John Coltrane; Desafinado Stan Getz & Charlie Byrd, and many more classics.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"It is easy to list regrettable omissions from this set (and many reviewers have done so) and just as easy to point out how impossible it is to do full justice to a century of music that had multiple sources and spread rapidly to a plethora of sub-genres (and many reviewers have done that too). The British Trad Jazz that took hold in the early 50s and is still going strong (Chris Barber, Kenny Ball and their followers) is another indispensible part of Jazz history that finds no place in this collection."
"That being said, each of the four better discs in the set leaves much to be desired as a "listening experience." With such different styles and aesthetics encompassed on each disc, you're not likely to just put one on and enjoy the whole thing-and none of the discs are, or even could have been, arranged as coherent sets."
"Best $5.00 I have spent on some great music.Yes,it was a used CD set but plays perfect and everything was included."
"the best way to learn about most styles of 20th century jazz!"
"This 5-CD set is a great introduction to jazz music."
Best Acid Jazz
'Travelling Without Moving' [1996] intentionally offers more of what Jamiroquai does best: highly addictive funky grooves with a social consciousness that is matched by front man Jay Kay's charisma.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"First of all I cannot believe how amazing this CD was even though it is 10 years old."
"Fantastic sound, I love this type of period work."
"Album Comes With Great Bonus Track and an amazing Booklet.Cosmic Jay's Voice Is Godlike."
"Brilliant work, the music is cool, chill, relaxing, happy, original, you just want to jump and dance during some songs and sit and relax with a glass of wine watching the sunset with the others."
"The live tracks and extra tracks are enjoyable too."
"Obviously, Jay Kay's most commercial and appreciated album."
"Love this album, would recommend it to anyone."
Best Swing Jazz
Recorded during his memorable run for Capitol Records in the 1950s, the songs here are more than just his best, they're often the definitive recordings: "I Get a Kick out of You," "Young at Heart," "Witchcraft," "The Lady Is a Tramp," "In the Wee Small Hours," and "I've Got You Under My Skin."
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"The music is great, but the case is cracked."
"There will always be only one Frank."
"A digitally remastered compilation of "Old Blue Eyes'" greatest hits; what more could one say or ask for!"
"Again, bought for my mom."
"Sinatra songs from 1953 - 1960."
"It's Sinatra!"
"Its Frank Sinatra."
Best Orchestral Jazz
Grammy winning trumpeter Chris Botti has returned in top form with Italia, his most lushly romantic and expressive album to date.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"That said, I still give it 4 stars because so many of the other cuts are stellar... including "Nessun Dorma", "Estaté", and the two Ennio Morricone compositions, "Gabriel's Oboe"and "Deborah's Theme.""
"I absolutely love this CD."
"I keep searching for something by Chris Botti (along with Andrea Bocelli at his best!)."
"I bought this CD for my wife she loves Jazzshe likes Chris Bodie loves his music Seen him in concert it's a great CD I would recommend the seller CD arrive when was told it would thank you."
"Several years ago I saw/heard Chris Botti's performance on Public Television and immediately ordered the combo CD/DVD."
"If you like Botti, you'll like this one."
Best Brazilian Jazz
But this collection really surveys his interpretations of pop tunes of the day, some of which were never hits for Mendes.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"The music is highly recommended for anyone who enjoys good smooth jazz versions of selected pop classics and popular latin rhythms. Best renditions are "Mais Que Nada", "Scarborough Fair", "Like a Lover", "The Fool on the Hill", "So Many Stars" and "Pretty World"."
"I thoroughly enjoy this compilation of hits, especially the Beatles covers."
"I have taken delivery of my recent CD purchase Sergio Mendes & Brasil 66 Greatest Hits."
"Lead singer lani Hall (also wife of Herb Alpert) has a heavenly voice."
"Some of the cuts on "Sergio Mendes & Brasil '66--Greatest Hits" sound as fresh as they did 40 years ago."
"One of my all time favorites."
Best Dixieland Jazz
When sold by Amazon.com, this product will be manufactured on demand using CD-R recordable media. Band leader and lounge kingpin Louis Prima will be best be known for the classic, "Just a Gigolo," immortalized by David Lee Roth for a whole new generation of swingers.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"One thing that I would like to add is this: you can just tell how crazy about each other they were! I mean, Good Lord, who would think of something like blowing music into here (the mouthpiece), and then it goes round and round and down, and comes out here (the bell)."
"Along with wife/singer Keely Smith and tenor saxman Sam Butera "and the Witnesses" (sidemen), this infectious blend of post-big band music and R&B virtually defined Las Vegas music of the Fifties and is still going strong."
"Louis Prima in his time was quite famous as a jazz trumpet player (he had also studied violin), singer, dancer (he was called the King of Swingers), actor etc."
"In listening to Prima sing some jazz standards, including "Basin Street Blues," "I've Got You Under My Skin," and "St. Louis Blues," you can hear how another New Orleans-born jazz master, Louis Armstrong, influenced him."
"Where was "he" when I grew up & went to Las Vegas."
"When I don't want to be bothered with the stress in my life I play one of Louis Prima's cd's and I'm good for the rest of the day."
"Everyone should take a listen you’ll be hooked no matter your age amazing music."
"The funny singer we use to hear at my work The one and only Louis Prima."
Best Soul-Jazz & Boogaloo
Rapture is the second album by the American vocalist Anita Baker.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"true jazz the way only Anita could do it!"
"Good price."
"Classic Anita - great music !"
"Old school Anita."
"Following Anita Baker's 1983 debut lack of success,Anita Baker realized that her husky and rangy vocal approach required a broader musical base. And the end of this story not only made Anita Baker a huge vocal giant of her day,but may have energized a certain approach to music a little as well. On this album,the ingredient less evident on Anita's debut album came into full focus: her complete focusing of the soul/gospel vocal approach through the harmonic range of jazz. Bringing in people such as bassist Freddie Washington,who'd worked with everything from Stevie Wonder to Patrice Rushen as well as session musicians that had spanned the 70's and 80's such as Rufus's John Robinson,EWF's Don Myrick,Paul Jackson Jr and Greg Phillinganes helped bring that harmonically expansive jazziness of Anita's vocal approach onto the instrumental stage of this album as well."
"Incredible CD---Anita's voice is amazing!!!"
Best Jazz Jam Bands
John Scofield - A Go Go - Cd.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I have long admired his back up work with numerous artists, but he bops along real well on this CD. Just when I think he is about to enter the Herb Albert OMG world, it changes direction and gets down to the smoke filled Jazz club of 3am."
"John's compositions on this album are inventive and refreshing, and the playing of MM&W is reigned in to create an absolutely fantastic musical joyride."
"Great ensemble playing, great tunes, great grooves, an edgy approach without being too way out."
"An instant favorite."
"I was hooked by a song I heard on our local Jazz Station, 88.3, and thought I would download that song, but saw the whole album was only $5. Mostly the jams are simple patterns building on each other, but the end result is a very satisfying & intelligent song."
"Good stuff."
"An unexpectedly good album."
Best Avant Garde & Free Jazz
Easily one of the most important records ever made, John Coltrane's a Love Supreme was his pinnacle studio outing that at once compiled all of his innovations from his past, spoke of his current deep spirituality, and also gave a glimpse into the next two and a half years (sadly, those would be his last).
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"The music is fine, but side 2 has many pops and clicks, even after a few cleanings."
"It just doesn't get much better than this album."
"Product showed up on time and as advertised."
"I just don't have the energy to get started with the return process as the product cost only around 10 bucks."
Best Traditional Jazz & Ragtime
Recorded during his memorable run for Capitol Records in the 1950s, the songs here are more than just his best, they're often the definitive recordings: "I Get a Kick out of You," "Young at Heart," "Witchcraft," "The Lady Is a Tramp," "In the Wee Small Hours," and "I've Got You Under My Skin."
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"The music is great, but the case is cracked."
"There will always be only one Frank."
"A digitally remastered compilation of "Old Blue Eyes'" greatest hits; what more could one say or ask for!"
"Again, bought for my mom."
"Sinatra songs from 1953 - 1960."
"It's Sinatra!"
"Its Frank Sinatra."