Getting into Jazz, Part 3

Digging Deeper into Classic Jazz

In my first two posts, I've sought to concentrate on generating a list of great Jazz music that is pretty accessible--that is, those who are not familiar with Jazz will find these albums to be excellent entryways into Jazz music.  Now I'd like to dig a little deeper and explore some great Jazz CD that are a little more experimental or avant garde in nature.  Some of these artists have mixed Jazz with other types of music--rock, funk, soul, etc.

1. John Coltrane, A Love Supreme (1964) or Giant Steps (1959). A Love Supreme is simply one of the greatest Jazz albums of all time.  It chronicles his spiritual journey out of heroine addiction. 

Fusion

1. Miles Davis, In a Silent Way (1969), Bitches Brew (1969), On the Corner (1972). In all three of these albums, Davis progressively adds elements of rock and funk to his jazz albums.  In a Silent Way, as you may be able to tell from the title, is a very mellow album consisting of 2 twenty minute songs.  Bitches Brew is to me the standard of Jazz fusion against which all others are judged.  On the Corner is more urban but amost as good.

2. Herbie Hancock, Head Hunters (1973). This is a true Jazz-funk album with recognizable songs.

Soulful Jazz

1. Charles Mingus, Mingus Ah Um (1959), The Black Saint and the Sinner Lady (1963).  Mingus combined elements of soul and even gospel into his music.  "Better Get Hit in Yo' Soul," one of his most famous compositions, was inspired from a church service.

2. Jimmy Smith, Back at the Chicken Shack (1960).  Jimmy Smith was a great organist who in many ways pioneered the use of a soulful organ in Jazz.  This is a very enjoyable album.
 

3. Les McCann and Eddie Harris, Swiss Movement (1969). This album is under appreciated, I believe.

Hard Bop

1. Clifford Brown and Max Roach, A Study in Brown (1955). One reviewer rightly says that Brown's trumpet is "played to perfection" on this album. It certainly Jazz trumpet at its finest.

2. Oliver Nelson, The Blues and the Abstract Truth (1961). When I put this in the CD player in my car for the first time, I don't think it came out for weeks.  I was enthralled with this album.

3. Oscar Peterson Trio, Night Train (1962). Some criticized Peterson for being too fast--like that famous criticism of Mozart in Amadeus that he had "too many notes."  I don't understand that at all. 

4. Lee Morgan, The Sidewinder (1963). Lee Morgan was in his twenties when he made this album.

Free Jazz

1. Ornette Coleman, The Shape of Jazz to Come (1959). Coleman was criticized for this album because he did not make use of any instrument that played chords (like a piano), but he hinted at chords in the interplay of various instruments.  The compositional structures are rather free here, but still remains probably the best way to enter into the world of free jazz. One reviewer writes, "Any understanding of jazz's avant-garde should begin here."

2. Eric Dolphy, Out to Lunch (1964). This album may be the pinnacle of the free jazz movement.  It has the most complex rhythm section of any album I've heard, and the "melodies" are completely free form.  Definitely listen before you buy.  It took me a while to learn to enjoy this album.