Burns-bass Posted January 7, 2019 Share Posted January 7, 2019 This is a great question I was asked by a new bass player wanting to explore the genre. I have to say my experience is more in the funk, soul and (ashamed to admit it) fusion side of things and so rather than fudge it I thought I'd ask you guys what you'd say the 10 top jazz albums are for someone looking to learn about the idiom - and about how to construct a solid walking line. We're talking about classic jazz, 'cool' period I guess, but some BeBop too. While I love the sound of the electric bass, these have to be records that feature an upright. The more the merrier as I'll pass the list on (and use it myself too, naturally). Links to transcriptions (not tab) would be doubly fantastic too... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ForestPoetry Posted January 7, 2019 Share Posted January 7, 2019 I'll take this opportunity to plug some of my (slightly atypical) favourites which just don't get enough love IMO: Miles Davis - Tutu : its Miles, it's Marcus, it's smooth and dark and delightfully weird. Late 80s synth cliches abound, so maybe not for everyone. Weather Report - Heavy Weather : I always play 'Havona' to someone who's curious about jazz, it'll either click or it won't but either way, it leaves in impression. Absolutely essential. David Torn - Cloud About Mercury : I blind bought this based on the surreal cover art and all star supporting cast (Levin, Bruford, Isham) with no idea what to expect. It's a kind of world-influenced fusion with very tasteful shred guitar and a ton of atmosphere. Floored me at the first listen and it's been a firm favourite ever since. Ralph Towner - Solstice : the first proper foray I made into more experimental jazz outside of your Kind of Blue, Somethin' Else etc. The opening track swept me away from the first note. Like the rest of this list, it was and still is really unlike anything I've ever heard. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skidder652003 Posted January 7, 2019 Share Posted January 7, 2019 (edited) well Im no expert, but I guess Kind of Blue has to be on most peoples lists? And also A Love Supreme? Im a bit partial to some Chick Corea and Herbie Hancock too, Return to Forever by Corea is a bit of a classic as well I think? Edited January 7, 2019 by skidder652003 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fretmeister Posted January 7, 2019 Share Posted January 7, 2019 "The Best of Louis Armstrong Featuring the Duke Ellington Orchestra" is a belter of an album. It's not just about the trumpet - there's loads of goodness on there. Kind of blue Metropolitain - Kyle Eastwood (my favourite of his) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Blank Posted January 7, 2019 Share Posted January 7, 2019 Kind of Blue - Miles Davis Birth of the Cool - Miles Davis Time Out - The Dave Brubeck Quartet Brilliant Corners - Thelonious Monk Return to Forever - Chick Corea The Shape of Jazz to Come - Ornette Coleman Ellington at Newport - Duke Ellington Getz/Gilberto - Stan Getz & Joao Gilberto Mingus Ah Um - Charles Mingus Saxophone Colossus - Sonny Rollins Somethin' Else - Cannonball Adderley Speak No Evil - Wayne Shorter Maiden Voyage - Herbie Hancock Out to Lunch - Eric Go - Dexter Gordon 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrixn1 Posted January 7, 2019 Share Posted January 7, 2019 1 hour ago, Burns-bass said: for someone looking to learn about the idiom - and about how to construct a solid walking line. Night Train - Oscar Peterson 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bilbo Posted January 7, 2019 Share Posted January 7, 2019 Nothing wrong with that list, Frank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Linus27 Posted January 7, 2019 Share Posted January 7, 2019 Personally for me it would be, Miles Davis - A Kind of Blue John Coltrane - A Love Supreme Ray Brown - Soular Energy Ronnie Jordan - The Antidote Any Oscar Peterson album Any Count Basie album Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickD Posted January 7, 2019 Share Posted January 7, 2019 The first one that came to mind was Time Out, but that's already mentioned above. While I love Mingus's Ah Um, the Mingus album I listen to most isn't a proper Mingus album. I'm not a huge Jazzer so I don't know if that's sacrilege or not. But Nostalgia in Times Square by the Mingus Big Band (a bit of a Widow approved tribute band/official custodians of his back catalogue type thing), is a wonderful collection of music IMO. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted January 7, 2019 Share Posted January 7, 2019 When I was starting out I listened to Charlie Mingus, Charlie Parker and Herbie Hancock. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leschirons Posted January 7, 2019 Share Posted January 7, 2019 I'd probably stick Head hunters on any list. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PawelG Posted January 7, 2019 Share Posted January 7, 2019 Something by Chet Baker too... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burns-bass Posted January 7, 2019 Author Share Posted January 7, 2019 Winning the internet so far. Thanks for the list Frank, I'll use this as the basis and keep adding. 1 hour ago, Frank Blank said: Kind of Blue - Miles Davis Birth of the Cool - Miles Davis Time Out - The Dave Brubeck Quartet Brilliant Corners - Thelonious Monk Return to Forever - Chick Corea The Shape of Jazz to Come - Ornette Coleman Ellington at Newport - Duke Ellington Getz/Gilberto - Stan Getz & Joao Gilberto Mingus Ah Um - Charles Mingus Saxophone Colossus - Sonny Rollins Somethin' Else - Cannonball Adderley Speak No Evil - Wayne Shorter Maiden Voyage - Herbie Hancock Out to Lunch - Eric Go - Dexter Gordon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassPhil Posted January 7, 2019 Share Posted January 7, 2019 Back in 1992 a good friend of mine told me my jazz bass playing was too conservative so gave me this album on vinyl to listen to....Doesn't matter if you're sober or not when you listen to it!! Otherwise - for something a bit more accessible try anything by George Melly..✌️ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassPhil Posted January 7, 2019 Share Posted January 7, 2019 2 hours ago, Burns-bass said: these have to be records that feature an upright. Oops - missed this!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bilbo Posted January 7, 2019 Share Posted January 7, 2019 I guess it depends on what you mean by Jazz. A lot of stuff listed here is fusion, Jazz rock or Jazz funk which is one thing whilst more purist forms of Jazz may be what is needed in terms of the op's need for exposure. In a nutshell, at this early stage, more is more!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burns-bass Posted January 7, 2019 Author Share Posted January 7, 2019 Just now, Bilbo said: I guess it depends on what you mean by Jazz. A lot of stuff listed here is fusion, Jazz rock or Jazz funk which is one thing whilst more purist forms of Jazz may be what is needed in terms of the op's need for exposure. In a nutshell, at this early stage, more is more!! Hi Bilbo, I hoped I was clear in the intro, but to restate what I was asking was: Albums featuring the iconic recorded versions of classic jazz standards you may be asked to play on a session (and be expected to know) Be played on upright bass (not electric) Be traditional in form (i.e. not jazz funk, fusion etc.) It's just a bit of fun, so all the replies are really useful and I'll point the chap at it. Frank's list so far fulfils the criteria most closely as to what I'd consider (in my limited knowledge) to be what I'm looking for. Overall though, it's just a good place to share jazz knowledge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PawelG Posted January 7, 2019 Share Posted January 7, 2019 More modern, but very accessible jazz - EST (Esbjörn Svensson Trio). 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thebassist Posted January 7, 2019 Share Posted January 7, 2019 Scott LaFaro on Ornette Coleman's Free Jazz is mental considering the time. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thebassist Posted January 7, 2019 Share Posted January 7, 2019 And while Dave Holland's work on In a Silent Way isn't crazy/flashy, I think it's perfect. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Blank Posted January 7, 2019 Share Posted January 7, 2019 1 hour ago, jrixn1 said: Night Train - Oscar Peterson How did I omit this! Duh. Also the bass playing on Alternating Currents by Denys Baptiste is a particular fave at the moment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barking Spiders Posted January 7, 2019 Share Posted January 7, 2019 I don't like jazz by and large but as they say there are always exceptions. Among the few jazz albums I have which I rate highly are The Sidewinder by Lee Morgan - touches of groovy soul jazz with hard bop Red Clay by Freddie Hubbard - hard bop with a soul jazz funky vibe Still Warm, Groove Elation and A Go Go by Jon Scofield - guitar led with laid back funky feel 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Blank Posted January 7, 2019 Share Posted January 7, 2019 2 minutes ago, thebassist said: And while Dave Holland's work on In a Silent Way isn't crazy/flashy, I think it's perfect. What Goes Around by The Dave Holland Big Band is a big favourite for me atm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burns-bass Posted January 7, 2019 Author Share Posted January 7, 2019 Just now, Barking Spiders said: I don't like jazz by and large but as they say there are always exceptions. Among the few jazz albums I have which I rate highly are The Sidewinder by Lee Morgan - touches of groovy soul jazz with hard bop Red Clay by Freddie Hubbard - hard bop with a soul jazz funky vibe Still Warm, Groove Elation and A Go Go by Jon Scofield - guitar led with laid back funky feel I like the soulful stuff you've listed here. I think jazz can appear something of an enigma until you understand it (not that I'm saying you don't - merely I personally didn't appreciate it until I understood the theory). Now I do I can appreciate it, but it takes some time to love it, whereas with other music I come to an opinion much sooner. But I've learned that investing in music is worth it, even persevering with albums I disliked for a few listens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Blank Posted January 7, 2019 Share Posted January 7, 2019 2 minutes ago, Barking Spiders said: I don't like jazz by and large but as they say there are always exceptions. Among the few jazz albums I have which I rate highly are The Sidewinder by Lee Morgan - touches of groovy soul jazz with hard bop. That’s a great album. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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