Top 5 Jazz Albums of all time

My picks for the best 5 jazz albums of all time, and I can say that with confidence that they aren't changing any time soon. This is it.
Chris Connor Video: • Appreciation of Chris ...
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If you're new to my channel, what you can expect from me is a vinyl collector's approach to the jazz genre. For years, I've only collected vintage pressings and prioritized originals of Blue Note, Prestige, Savoy, Bethlehem, Riverside, New Jazz, and more classic labels. Lately, with the resurgence of the medium and more collectors coming to the space, the music industry has taken notice and prioritized putting out high quality reissues of some of the best albums ever recorded. Subscribe to my channel to watch me navigate how to rationalize how I used to buy vs. how I buy vinyl records today.
#jazz #jazzmusic #jazzvinyl #jazzrecords #vinylcollector #vinylcollection #top5jazzalbums #jazzcollector

[@beetleything1864]

1. Gene Ammons - Boss Tenor 2. Charlie Mingus - Blues & Roots 3. Ike Quebec - Soul Samba 4. Clifford Brown & Max Roach 5. Chris Connor - Sings Lullabys of Birdland

[@rdcb1057]

Thanks !

[@LarryGriffithBand]

1.The Gentle Side Of John Coltrane 2. The Blues and the Abstract Truth Oliver Nelson 3. I Just Dropped By To Say Hello Johnny Hartman 4. Joe Williams Live! A Swingin' Night At Birdland 5. Duke Ellington & John Coltrane

[@johng.4711]

Great video! I knew you wouldn’t post a standard “Kind of Blue” and “Time Out” Jazz-for-beginners video 😂😂

[@DefenestrateYourself]

Both albums are accessible, sure. But they’ve also earned all the accolades they’ve been given

[@ccw5886]

Miles Davis: Kind of Blue. Charlie Mingus: Mingus Ah Um. John Coltrane: Giant Steps. Dave Brubeck Quartet: Time Out and lastl but not least, Ornette Colman; The shape of jazz to come. 1959! the golden year!

[@twofromthetrunk9932]

Enjoyed the dives into your jazz music. Well done.

[@robo3174]

WCB love your videos! Your approach is intelligent, detailed and very carefully presented. From all the KZbin vinyl channels, yours is heads and shoulders above the rest with regards to the Jazz genre. 👍Thanks for your insightful videos

[@boydsargeant7496]

I love that they are your fav, and not the normal list.

[@matevigh8418]

Thank you for the list. I am so happy for Boss Tenor, it is one of my most listened jazz records. I will check out the rest.

[@graememcpherson6980]

You are a man of great taste! Boss Tenor was one of the first jazz recordings I bought when I first got into jazz. And Soul Samba is certainly a fave of mine also. Nice to see a list based on personal favourites instead of those lists that are more about boasting how sophisticated and “knowledgeable” someone supposedly is. Enjoyed the video!

[@edwardevans652]

Very good Top 5👏🏻 “Bossa Nova Soul Samba” is one of my faves. I have a 70’s repress from a Blue Note plant in San Francisco. I love how RVG engineered the entire album and makes Quebec’s tone, sound so intimate. You can hear Ike taking breaths and pushing notes through the bell. Such a beautiful record!

[@brandnewstart]

Great video and interesting choices. I’ve got 2 (Quebec and Ammons), one I’m already seeking out (Mingus) but the other 2 are new to me, so I’ll definitely check them out. I’ve only been into jazz 3-4 years so my top albums do change as I discover new music. You definitely got me looking into JJazz ...that Animals Garden album is phenomenal and definitely a top 5 for me. Thank you 🙏🙏

[@Fatdogrecords]

Really good video and choices. I was sure the Mingus was gonna get a super deluxe analogue treatment, but think it’s been sidelined. Unbelievable album. I hope with all these reissues coming out, they delve further into the Clifford / roach material.

[@jazzvinylcollector]

Agreed, it makes you wonder what condition some of those early EmArcy titles are in. I guess Study in Brown was in decent enough shape for Acoustic Sounds

[@RobertsMarketingTube]

A few favorite albums off the top of my head. 1. Bitches Brew - Miles Davis 2. Changeless - Keith Jarrett Trio 3. Going Back Home - Ginger Baker/Bill Frisell 4. Angel Song - Kenny Wheeler 5. Mike Mainieri - Northern Lights And a few hundred more. But none older than 1969.

[@albertguffanti8414]

Right with you on Soul Samba. I feel Ike’s sax in my chest and it manages to feature a bossa style without sounding derivative. “Effortless” is definitely the right word, as you put it.

[@willieluncheonette5843]

certainly off the beaten track....thanks . My 5 FAVORITES are Monk's Music, Brilliant Corners, Thelonious Himself, Kind of Blue and Miles Ahead

[@macheesmo3]

1. Gene Ammoms-Boss Tenor 2. Pharoah Sanders- Karma 3. Oscar Peterson Trio- We Get Requests 4. Herbie Hancock- Headhunters 5. Sonny Rollins- Way out West

[@stephendrahos9000]

Many thanks for making me aware of these LPs. I have the Gene Ammons vinyl (recent repress) on order heading my way and purchased the Chris Connors last year while in Atlanta for $7.50. Shall seek out the others for sure.

[@sonhouse9636]

Hi and thanks, gonna try those records. My list is M. Davis "Bag's groove", C. Brown "Study in brown", S. Rollins "The bridge", O. Coleman "Tomorrow is the question", P. Newborn "we three"

[@jazzvinylcollector]

All great choices, it’s been a while since I’ve listened to We Three

[@chelillingworth9466]

Steve Lehman is such a great player! Hearing your reference his name is a great reminder to check out some of his albums again that I have and see what he's been up to lately!

[@nicholaslaurie6333]

My top give has been similarly static. However, does include a couple of the usual suspects. I knew the Chris Connor would be on your list, and I love that record too.

[@amauryw3231]

Soul Samba by Ike Quebec is definitiely in my top 5 jazz album and top 3 Blue Note title. Really hope this one will get the Tone Poet treatment in the coming years.. Fingers crossed for 2024.

[@patrickstaresq]

My top 5 Curtis Fuller - Blues-Ette Art Blakey & the Jazz Messengers - Indestructible Andrew Hill - Point of Departure Herbie Hancock - Empyrean Isles Alice Coltrane - Ptah, The El Daoud

[@jazzvinylcollector]

Great titles. I'm still looking for a copy of Blues-Ette, never have owned one

[@chelillingworth9466]

Blues-Ette is a total sleeper choice, amazing feel on the that record!

[@sensational_cellar8606]

Herbie Hancock - Empyrean Isles Art Pepper Meets the Rhythm Section Paul Gonsalves - Boom Jackie Boom Chick Ben Webster - Soulville Wayne Shorter - Speak No Evil Sure I’d pick a different 5 tomorrow 😅

[@itsvladzino3246]

At last an original list. Not that anyone asked, but Duke Pearson’s Wahoo would make my top list, along with at least one album from Bobby Hutcherson, and one from Kenny Burrell. Ernest Ranglin’s Below The Bassline joins the show, with Monty Alexander’s Rastamonk.

[@AeroModule]

Not sure if I have a top 5 exactly, but Miles Davis albums 1965-1969 are all among my favorites. I'd also put Speak No Evil, Adam's Apple, Maiden Voyage, etc in there.

[@jazzvinylcollector]

Yea that era of Miles is absolutely phenomenal, and agreed on that Shorter/Herbie titles too. I'd bet if I expanded my top album list to 20 or 30, they'd all be in there

[@AeroModule]

@@jazzvinylcollectorI neglected to say: thanks for your list. I'd only heard of one of these (Gene Ammons) but haven't listened to any of them. Will check em out!

[@kurtanderson5349]

Here are my all-time top five, based on the criteria you describe: The Freedom and Space Sessions - Booker Erwin And His Mother Called Him Bill - Duke Ellington School Days - Steve Lacy and Roswell Rudd Meet You at the Jazz Corner of the World (the volume with High Modes) - Art Blakey Portrait of My Pals - Lars Gullin

[@kurtanderson5349]

Here are five favorites of mine, based on the criteria you suggest: The Freedom and Space Sessions - Booker Ervin And His Mother Called Him Blue - Duke Ellington School Days - Steve Lacy and Roswell Rudd Lars Gullin - Portrait of My Pals Art Blakey - Meet You at the Jazz Corner of the World (the volume with "High Modes")

[@christopherbarker181]

Do you think one of the big audiophile reissue labels will come out with a mono Blues & Roots? Although the Analogue Productions stereo received good reviews, I don't think it received rave reviews and there were a bunch of negative comments about the separation issue. Thanks again for another great, insightful video.

[@chrisashley2100]

Very fun video - I’m also a big fan of Mingus “Moanin’” since my daughter had the opportunity to play it in her (very good) HS jazz band - the highlight was the bari sax player walking in from the back of the house playing that riff. Top 5 for me in terms of ones I go back to all the time: Don Ellis “Electric Bath”; Archie Shepp “mama too tight”; Yusef Lateef “Live at Peps; and Mingus ah Um. Also honorable mention since its on the border of jazz and bluegrass: the Tony Rice Unit “Mar West”. Cheers

[@bacarandii]

Really enjoyed this one. I love to hear what you have to say about the music. And that quality of "live in studio" that you identify in Mingus is something I've felt but never quite articulated before in a lot of his recordings, from "Pithecanthus Erectus" to "Black Saint and the Sinner Lady." There's something edgy and exciting -- even dangerous -- about them, as if you're right there with the musicians in the moment of creation. So, thanks for drawing a bead on that! (Also: I think I feel another Ike Quebec listening spell coming on...)

[@jazzvinylcollector]

yea you're right, and what's crazy is that Mingus can achieve that through composition/arrangement because that and spontaneity are basically an oxymoron

[@celtic-audiophile]

Boss Tenor certainly in my top ten, have the Mingus as well. Bossa Nova, very few stereo, soooooooo expensive 700 euros for a near mint. I’m collecting the Supper Club Belgium releases inc Miss Connor. Incredible value everyone under £20 between Juno and Amazon.

[@christopherbarker181]

I’ll have to give my Japanese Mono press of the Clifford Brown/ Max Roach another listen; I can’t believe their version of Parisian Thoroughfare could possibly match Donald Byrds version, on the Sam Records 87904; that version is a true masterpiece! Great video as usual!

[@Olympiakospp]

Ammons- Boss Tenor is great!! Totally agree, get the AP reissue currently in stock for those who are looking for a copy

[@302indian]

Blue Gene…also great.

[@Luke-db9fc]

1. Inner mounting flame - Mahavishnu Orchestra 2. Agartha - Miles Davis 3. Tale Spinning - Weather Report 4.Where have I known you - Return to Forever 5.Illicit-Tribal Tech

[@terrandabo]

Just for fun, my Top 5 (at the moment?forever?who knows?) in order as they came to mind: Kenny Dorham - Quiet Kenny Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers - A Night in Tunisa Sonny Rollins - Saxophone Colossus Ornette Coleman - The Shape of Jazz to Come Dexter Gordon - Go

[@jean-lucpernel2202]

I can't have 5 jazz Records i play Sax since 40 years and when i think 40 records Favorite one by years all Sonny Rollins, art PEPPER and many others , Joe Henderson, Coltrane , Duke Ellington. Bill Evans , etc, etc😊

[@JS-wi9mw]

Im with you on the Mingus and Max Roach/Clifford Brown :D

[@Carlossardina]

Blues & Roots doesn't get the credit it deserves. A list of 5 favourites: -Max Roach - We Insist! -Roland Kirk - The Inflated Tear -John Coltrane - Meditations -Gato Barbieri - Chapter One: Latin America -McCoy Tyner - Extensions

[@jazzvinylcollector]

Strong list, and sounds like I need to revisit that Barbieri title as it’s been way too long

[@tobywilliams707]

I know this is a bit off topic but what are resting your Kef speakers on?

[@jazzvinylcollector]

Pieces of pecan wood. Just to raise them up a bit for the tweeters to be ear level

[@johnlamarca3339]

One that would definitely make my Top 5 (and is unlikely to be unseated) is Soul Brothers by Milt Jackson and Ray Charles. I love both the Stereo and Mono versions.

[@xentakis]

Always a fun and difficult topic. My top 5 as of today are: (1) Wayne Shorter - Speak No Evil; (2) Cannonball Adderley - Know What I Mean; (3) Ellington and Coltrane; (4) Miles Davis - My Funny Valentine; and (5) Charles Mingus - The Black Saint and Sinner Lady.

[@johnestes705]

Great choices, like them all , Gene Ammons, Brother Jug, Charles Mingus, Mingus Moods, Willie BoBo , Clifford Brown, looks like you have a copy of Grant Green 's I want to hold your hand.

[@mikebeleski5595]

Is there a title on the Clifford brown & Max Roach?

[@jazzvinylcollector]

Believe it is just self titled

[@gonolith]

No title, it's just called Clifford Brown and Max Roach. Originally released in 1954.

[@andreaskantza5764]

Soul samba absolutely best jazz album

[@mattjohnson6227]

Conversely, someone’s favorite COULD be a Miles Davis or John Contrane album because they actually like them.

[@johnczuill1344]

Don't know any of these. thanks

[@Chiller11]

How can you select 5? Top 20 perhaps but 5 is impossible.

[@cezarvasile1635]

👌👌

[@clausskovgaardnielsen7777]

Hi, thank you for sharing ,greetings from #bornholm #denmark 🇩🇰 . Ps: I just recently came around Herbie Hancock `s “Fat Albert Rotunda” - maybe you know this album - its pretty cool 👋🏻🔊🎩

[@bernhard99]

A couple of those that are quite affordable…!!

[@jazzvinylcollector]

Yea they needn’t be expensive to be great… although okay that obviously is not always the case!

[@davepounds8924]

Just a question? Is new jazz artists dead?? All the jazz channel’s talk about is the classic jazz music but no new jazz music I can’t find anything on new jazz music Is new jazz music dead!!!!

[@sidvicious3129]

I think I know where you are going with this for sure. I think it's more of a personal preference of most of these channels. I think like you, you do want to hear more, because there are a ton of different artist and styles of jazz. I like all of jazz, from singing, to traditional through smooth from 1960's to 2023 and I love the discovery of new artist, it keeps the hobby fresh. What I do think is if someone wanted to take the challenge there is so much music that simply put isn't covered both old and especially new. If you get an opportunity, check out an artist named Walter Smith III, "Return to Casual", it's on Blue Note and it isn't talk about enough at all and it's with in the last year, but I like Boney James, Ambrose Akinmusire, Chris Botti, Joshua Redman, Artemis and many, many more. Also check out Leo Smith Divine Love (1976) and recordings from a drummer named Paul Motian. The Artemis record (last year) "In Real Time" is absolutely killer and again not really covered.

[@anthonysmith4449]

Walter Smith III has been around for a while and his latest is very underrated. I don't think that Blue Note has done enough to promote it. Immanuel Wilkins "Lift" is another release that's excellent but the pressing is a hit or missed which brings me to my next point: Most albums are released on CD or inferior vinyl whereas a lot a the legacy jazz are AAA using superior mastering engineers and pressing plants. That's what sells today.

[@davepounds8924]

@@anthonysmith4449Thanks for your reply I think it would be nice if more channels talked about new artists more!! Thanks

[@jazzvinylcollector]

@@davepounds8924 I listen to and buy a lot of new music actually. I find that International Anthem and We Jazz are particular standouts in terms of labels and I make a point to pick up a lot of their titles. Perhaps I spent more time focusing on new stuff on the Instagram platform vs. youtube, but it's not intentional

[@davepounds8924]

@@jazzvinylcollector Thanks for your reply!!

[@RobertsMarketingTube]

I have no problem with your list. However, why does nobody ever list albums that are newer than 60 years old on these lists? How about music from the 21st Century? There are so many great jazz musicians making wonderful albums these days. It's no wonder that very few young people listen to jazz. New jazz doesn't get the attention it deserves these days.

[@gdoodle]

Top 5 of all is not the same as one dude’s favorites.

[@leonardoiglesias2394]

Nobody hears how out of tune Quebec plays….

[@leonardoiglesias2394]

Mingus record is absolutely awful…….I would throw it away inmediately… How subjective everything is….I cant stand Ike Quebec either… And Blue Train and Ready for Freddie and 20 other coltrane or davis or parker records dont appear in the 5 top list…. Amazing really

[@jazzvinylcollector]

Haha are you kidding? Of course it’s subjective, I said they were my favorites up front.

[@leonardoiglesias2394]

@@jazzvinylcollector really I find it awful! Terrible! Haha! Thats life.

[@leonardoiglesias2394]

@@jazzvinylcollector thanks for your answer! Can you tell me why so many collectors dont put the records IN the cover but besides? There must be a good reason for it because Ive seen several heavy collectors doing that. Thanks again!

[@leonardoiglesias2394]

@@jazzvinylcollector through you I discovered Mitchells Boss Horn record. Great record. When I heard Straight up and down I asked myself who could be playing piano and I thought, it sounded a bit like McCoy Tyner…I was quite right in a way because Corea once said he had learned everything writing down Tyners solos. I knew only his own version of that piece with Woody Shaw.

[@jameswebb4593]

Your opinion , not mine , and probably most Jazz fans . All you have done is showed your arrogance not knowledge .