I truly believe that Jazz is the greatest gift American culture has given the world. Having that said, it is also a daunting and sometimes intimidating genre due to the wealth of styes, personnel and sheer output. Up until the recent vinyl explosion, jazz vinyl collecting could be expensive and quite difficult due to the age and scarcity of a lot of the pressings. One definite upside of vinyl’s renewed popularity is the interest of labels to remaster and reissue great recordings and often in audiophile quality. Here are a few recent jazz reissues that I highly recommend, as well as an accompanying Spotify playlist.

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Herbie Hancock - Maiden Voyage

Blue Note Records (1965)
Reissue: Blue Note Classics (2021)

One of my favorite recordings. “Maiden Voyage” is a concept album that attempts to capture the atmosphere of the ocean.

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Clifford Brown and Max Roach - Study In Brown

EmArcy/Mercury (1955)
Reissue: Acoustic Sounds Series (2021)

This is my favorite of the Brown/Roach releases.  You can hear its influence heavily in the next decade to come.

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Bill Evans and Jim Hall - Undercurrent

United Artists Records (1962)
Reissue: Jackpot Records (2024)

I’ve always been drawn to this album both musically and visually. The album cover is amazing and the music is simple and haunting.

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Tina Brooks - True Blue

Blue Note Records (1960)
Reissue: Blue Note Classics (2023)

Gun to head, this is my favorite album on Blue Note Records. I often have any one of the melodies from this album stuck in my head.

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Kenny Dorham - Quiet Kenny

New Jazz (1962)
Reissue: Analogue Productions (2022)

I read a review of this album that called it cool, understated and ultra-melodic. Accurate.

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Duke Pearson - Wahoo

Blue Note Records (1964)
Reissue: Blue Note Classics - 2024 (November)

It’s fun and upbeat at times, but also has a dark lining that I really like.

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Gabor Szabo - The Sorcerer

Impulse! (1967)
Reissue: Verve By Request (2023)

This is such a cool and fun album. I'm not a huge fan of live albums, but this one is extraordinary.

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Lee Morgan - The Gigolo

Blue Note Records (1968)

Most people will recommend The Sidewinder or Search For The New Land when recommending a Morgan album, but my personal favorite is The Gigolo. This version of “You Go To My Head” is one of my favorite songs period.

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Wayne Shorter - Speak No Evil

Blue Note Records (1966)

Shorter's music is both mysterious and beautiful. I have a hard time not stopping and giving my full attention to this album every time I put it on.

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John Coltrane - Coltrane's Sound

Atlantic Records (1960)
Reissue: Rhino High Fidelity

These songs were recorded during the same sessions as My Favorite Things which is a much more celebrated release. I personally prefer this album. "Central Park West" is one of my favorite Coltrane compositions.

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Ornette Coleman - Change Of The Century

Atlantic Records (1960)
Reissue: Rhino High Fidelity

I’ve tried to stay away from “free jazz” For this list, but this is a very palatable and melodic album.  My favorite Coleman.

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