Jazz Records

NOTE: This site is currently under re-construction and is in need of some editing and additions. Nevertheless, I've decided to keep it online for reference purposes.

This is a list of jazz records. They are all garded with numbers 1-10 with the maximum score being 10. The criteria and the way I rate records is similar to the style of Robert Christgau and Tom Hull, even if I use numbers instead of letter grades. If I feel a more elaborate explanation of the grading system is needed, I'll add one later. For now, all you need to know is this:

Any record rated 7 or higher I feel is well worth owning; Any record rated 8 - 10 is strongly recommended.

(The grades are liable to change. Records marked n/a are records I for whatever reason have not given a grade yet). Records by groups without any clear leader may be listed twice. The dates and labels are taken from various sources. Compilations have recording dates, regular records have year of release. If you find any mistakes do not hesitate to let me know by sending me an e-mail at perfectsounds.chrismonsen@[REMOVETHIS]gmail.com.

Artists (leaders sorted by last name)

U - Å

Ulmer, James Blood:
- Tales of Captain Black (DIW, 1978) 7
- Are You Glad to Be in America? (Rough Trade, 1980) n/a
- Odyssey (Columbia, 1983) 9
- Birthright (Hyena, 2005) n/a
- Odyssey the Band: Back in Time (Pi, 2006) 7

Valentine, Kid Thomas:
- Kid Thomas-George Lewis Ragtime Stompers (GHB, 1961) n/a

Vandermark, Ken:
- Barrage Double Trio: Utility Hitter (Quinnah Records, 1996) 9
- Vandermark Five: Single Piece Flow (Atavistic, 1996) 7
- Vandermark Five: Target or Flag (Atavistic, 1997) 8
- Simpatico (Atavistic, 1998) n/a
- w/Hamid Drake, Nate McBride: Spaceways Incorporated: Thirteen Cosmic Standards (Atavistic, 2000) 7
- Spaceways Inc.: Version Soul (Atavistic, 2002) n/a
- The Vandermark Five: Elements of Style . . . Exercises in Surprise (Atavistic, 2003) n/a
- FME: Underground (Okka Disk, 2004) 7
- FME: Cuts (Okka Disk, 2005) 8
- (((Powerhouse Sound))): Oslo/Chicago (((Breaks))) (Atavistic, 2007) 8
- w/Markus Broo, Adam Lane, Paal Nilssen-Love: 4 Corners (Clean Feed, 2007) 7- The Vandermark 5: Beat Reader (Atavistic, 2008) 7
- The Vandrmark 5 Special Edition: The Horse Jumps & The Ship Is Gone (Not Two) 7

Waldron, Mal:
- w/Eric Dolphy, Booker Ervin: The Quest (Prestige OJC, 1961) 7

Waller, Fats:
- The Joint Is Jumpin' (RCA, 1929–1941) n/a
- Piano Solos 1929–1941 (RCA 2CD, 1929–1941) n/a
- The Very Best of Fats Waller (RCA, 1929–1943) n/a
- If You Got to Ask, You Ain't Got It (Bluebird/Legacy, 3CD, 1926-43) 9

Walton, Cedar:
- Eastern Rebellion w/Geroge Coleman, Sam Jones & Billy Higgins: Eastern Rebellion, vol. 1 (Timeless, 1976) 8 

Ware, David S.:
- Flight of I (Columbia/DIW, 1991) 9
- Third Ear Recitation (DIW, 1992) n/a
- Godspelized (DIW, 1996) n/a
- Go See the World (Columbia, 1997) 8
- Corridors and Parallels (Aum Fidelity, 2001) n/a
- Freedom Suite (Aum Fidelity, 2002) 7
- Live in the World (Thirst Ear 3Cd, 2005) 7
- Renunciation (Thirsty Ear, 2007) 7
- Shakti (Aum Fidelity, 2009) 8
- Onecept (Aum Fidelity, 2010) 7

Ware, Wilbur:
- The Chicago Sound (Riverside OJC, 1957) 8

Waters, Patty:
- Sings (ESP, 1965) n/a

Watson, Bobby:
- Love Remains (Red, 1986) n/a

Weather Report:
- Weather Report (Columbia/Legacy, 1971) n/a
- I Sing the Body Electric (Columbia, 1972) n/a
- Mysterious Traveller (Columbia, 1973/74) n/a
- Heavy Weather (Columbia/Legacy, 1977) 4
- 8:30 (Live) (Columbia, 1979) 5

 Webb, Chick:
- 1929-1934 (Classics, 1929-1934) n/a
- Spinnin' the Webb (Decca, 1929–1939) 8

Weston, Randy:
- Uhuru Africa (Roulette Records, 1960) n/a
- African Cookbook (Atlantic, 1964-72) 6
- The Spirits of Our Ancestors (2CD, Verve, 1991) n/a

Wheeler, Kenny:
- Gnu High (ECM, 1975) n/a
- Deer Wan (ECM, 1977) n/a
- Flutter By, Butterfly (Soul Note, 1989) n/a

Whiteman, Paul:
- Greatest Hits (Collector's Choice, 1920–1928) n/a

Wilber, Bob:
- Dancing on a Rainbow (Circle, 1989) n/a
 
Williams, Mary Lou:
- Mary Lou Williams And Orchestra (Stinson Records, 1950) n/a
- Black Christ of the Andes (Folkways Records, 1964) n/a
- Music For Peace (Mary Records, 1970) n/a
- Zoning (Mary Records, 1974) n/a

Williams, Tony:
- Life Time (Blue Note, 1964) 8
- Lifetime: Emergency (Verve, 1969) 8

Wilson, Teddy:- Moments Like This (Hep, 1938–1939) 8
- Central Avenue Blues (Vintage Jazz, 1948) n/a

Workman, Reggie:
- Summit Conference (Postcards, 1993) 8
- Cerebral Caverns (Postcards, 1995) n/a

World Saxophone Quartet:
- Plays Duke Ellington (Elektra, 1986) 6
- Political Blues (Justintime, 2006) 8

Wright, Frank:
- Frank Wright Trio (ESP, 1965) n/a
- Your Prayer (ESP, 1967) n/a
- Unity (ESP, 1974) n/a
- Kevin, My Dear Son (Sun Records/Chiaroscuro, 1978/79) n/a

Young, Larry:
- Unity (Blue Note, 1965) 9
- Of Love and Peace (Blue Note, 1966) n/a

Young, Lester:
- Lester Leaps In: His Greatest Recordings 1936–1944 (ASV, 1936–1944) n/a
- The "Kansas City" Sessions (Commodore, 1938–1944) n/a
- The Essential Keynote Collection 1: The Complete Lester Young (Mercury, 1944) n/a
- Lester Young Trio (Verve, 1943–1946) n/a
- The Complete Aladdin Recordings of Lester Young (Blue Note 2CD, 1942–1947) 8
- The President Plays with the Oscar Peterson Trio (Verve, 1952) n/a
- Ken Burns Jazz: The Definitive Lester Young (Verve, 1936–1957) 9
- w/Billie Holiday: A Musical Romance (Columbia/Legacy, 1937-1958, rel. 2002) 9

  
Zorn, John:
- The Big Gundown (Elektra, 1985) 8
- News For Lulu (Hat Art, 1987) n/a
- Spy vs. Spy (Elektra, 1988) n/a
- Naked City (Elektra/Nonesuch, 1989) 7
- Alhambra Love Songs (Tzadik, 2009) 8
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)