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Article: Building a Jazz Library

Frank Sinatra: The Capitol Records Albums, 1954 to 1959

by Dan McClenaghan
December 26, 2022

After stints in the Harry James and Tommy Dorsey bands, Frank Sinatra began his solo recording career in 1947 with Columbia Records. This association lasted until 1950. He switched labels in 1954, moving on to Capitol Records. Songs For Young Lovers (Capitol, 1954) was his first release for the label. It was the beginning of an ...

Article: Building a Jazz Library

Donald Fagen: An Essential Top 10 Albums

by Peter Jones
October 9, 2022

Actually, the whole notion of a Donald Fagen Top Ten is tricky. Artists like Chet Baker made well over a hundred albums, whereas in half a century Fagen has only released 13 official studio albums, whether with Steely Dan or under his own name, along with a handful of live sets. The process of selecting the ...

Article: Building a Jazz Library

Herbie Hancock: An Essential Top Ten Albums

by Chris May
September 20, 2022

The title of Herbie Hancock's 1973 hit single “Chameleon," pulled from his jazz-funk monster Head Hunters (Columbia), was an apt one. Hancock had already undergone several transformations: from the blues-and-gospel-infused vibe of his Blue Note debut, Takin' Off (1962), to more experimentally inclined Blue Note albums in the mid-to-late 1960s, and on to his early 1970s ...

Article: Building a Jazz Library

Matthew Shipp: A Dozen Essential Albums

by Karl Ackermann
September 13, 2022

While he was still in his fifties, some pundits were hailing Matthew Shipp as the “elder statesman" of avant-garde jazz piano. The sentiment, if not the Stonehenge-like title, was spot on. The Wilmington, Delaware native grew up in jazz, with trumpeter Clifford Brown being a family friend. Shipp began studying piano at age 6 and later ...

Article: Building a Jazz Library

Horace Silver: His Only Mistake Was To Smile

by Chris May
August 29, 2022

In his sleeve note for the audio restored Horace Silver album Live New York Revisited (ezz-thetics, 2022), British writer Brian Morton cut to the chase. “[Silver]'s only mistake," he wrote, “was to smile while he was playing... a challenge to the notion that jazz should be deadly serious and played with a pained rictus."

Article: Building a Jazz Library

CTI Records: Ten Tasty Albums With No Added Sugar (Almost)

by Chris May
September 17, 2020

Few jazz producers divide opinion as much as Creed Taylor. He is a hero to many and a villain to as many more. His fans love him for his high production values. His detractors accuse him of dumbing jazz down with excessively sweetened orchestrations and other sales-oriented compromises. Nowhere is the dispute more heated than over ...

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Article: Building a Jazz Library

Creed Taylor Productions, Part 1

by Chris M. Slawecki
April 2, 2005

Part 1 | Part 2 The place in jazz history held by Creed Taylor is impeccable, stylish, and essential. He produced some of the best music for some of the best labels dedicated to jazz, then formed his own label and with meticulous preparation and his musician's ear kept on making great jazz ...

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Article: Building a Jazz Library

Creed Taylor Productions, Part 2

by Chris M. Slawecki
April 3, 2005

Article: Building a Jazz Library

Henry Threadgill: 9 Plus Essential Albums

by Steve Cook
July 25, 2022

More people should listen to the music of Henry Threadgill. Without any actual statistics at hand, it's safe to say that one could consider his market to be niche. Yes, many jazz fans know him as a long-established creative force. He even won a Pulitzer. But he probably does not ring a bell among the many ...

Article: Building a Jazz Library

John Coltrane: A Liturgical Discography

by Steve Cook
June 16, 2022

So much to hear and so little time. The immensity of the recording legacy of John Coltrane as leader, co-leader and side player can be daunting for newcomers and long-time fans alike. Without needing to argue for the place of Coltrane's oeuvre in history, the following proposes a year-long calendar by which to experience and enjoy ...