Miles on cornet backed by the wonderful orchestration of Gil Evans. A complete reinvention of what can be done with a big band. You might have to study this a little to get into it, but I recommend it."

"I've lost count of how many lists I've put this on. A heaving monster of an album, full of passion and fire. The scattershot rhapsody of "Pharoah's Dance", the huge groove underneath the title track. Mind-blowing stuff, and that's just Disc 1. The birth and simultaneous pinnacle of jazz-fusion."

his is Miles' most crystalline hard bop statement. After a hiatus, he brings back his classic quintet and adds the dynamic Cannonball Adderley. Cannonball and Coltrane spar throughout this album, often at furious tempos. Premium 50s jazz.

My first or second jazz album. With several dynamic horn players, Monk extends some of his classic songs waaayy out solo-wise. Coleman Hawkin's take on "Ruby, My Dear" is still my favorite sax piece ever. And when I hear Monk holler for Coltrane to solo on "Well, You Needn't", and Art Blakey does that thunderous roll, I still get chills. This is an underrated classic.

Finally, one of Monk's most brilliant 50's albums is given a new remaster. The stop-start bopping of "Blue Bolivar Blues" is a joy, as is the lilting melody underneath the lovely ballad "Pannonnica". And with Sonny Rollins playing sax, what other encouragement do you need?