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All Stars Recordings 1947-1951
Louis Armstrong
1947-1951 [RCA Victor/Decca]

When Louis Armstrong's big band was dissolved in 1947 he established his All Stars small group. The format was a big hit, playing traditional jazz that sounded fresh and new. Unfortunately, it is impossible to find all 17 studio tracks in one place. Ethusiasts could assemble the collection out of the Decca Studio and Complete RCA Victor recordings.

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Clifford Brown & Max Roach
Clifford Brown & Max Roach
1954 [EmArcy]

Clifford Brown's accidental death in 1956 sent shockwaves throughout the jazz community. A hard bop trumpeter respected and admired by all, this record was his first with the already-famous bop drummer Max Roach. Brown was a true professional in every sense of the word - every note perfect and dripping with emotion. Timeless.

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Plays W.C. Handy
Louis Armstrong
1954 [Columbia]

Jazz giant Louis Armstrong plays a host of standards by legendary blues composer W.C. Handy. Handy's best-known composition is the lively 'St Louis Blues', clocking in here at almost nine minutes. Armstrong focused more on vocals in his later years, but here he shows he could still blow the joint apart when sufficiently inspired to do so.

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Satch Plays Fats
Louis Armstrong
1955 [Columbia]

Louis Armstrong increasingly relied on his vocals as his career went on, keeping his trumpet solos concise and to the point. This album is subtitled "A Tribute to the Immortal Fats Waller", and the music is thoroughly delightful. 'Black and Blue' is an unusual and controversial choice for inclusion... "My only sin is the colour of my skin". Ouch!

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Search for the New Land
Lee Morgan
1964 [Blue Note]

The fact that trumpeter Lee Morgan recorded this album early in 1964 before his previous album 'The Sidewinder' hit it big on the pop charts probably explains why it avoids the formulaic repetitiveness of his later records. It is an explosion of creativity, thanks largely to the presence of Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock and Grant Green.

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Bitches Brew
Miles Davis
1970 [Columbia]

Much of the same personnel to appear on Davis' groundbreaking 'In a Silent Way' return to play out an epic set of distorted harmonics, extended jams and funky grooves. Reported tensions between Davis and producer Teo Macero heightened the album's staggering effect. It is impossible to overstate the profound influence of this album.

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Straight Life
Freddie Hubbard
1971 [CTI]

A solid hit-out featuring an all-star line-up - including saxophonist Joe Henderson, guitarist George Benson, Herbie Hancock on keyboards and drummer Jack DeJohnette. Even though the record clocks in at just over 36 minutes (and only three tracks), there is hardly a wasted moment and the playing is superb throughout. Fusion done well.

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Blackstone Legacy
Woody Shaw
1971 [Contemporary]

Trumpeter Woody Shaw's photographic memory and perfect pitch gave him a leg up in jazz stakes. Also a highly-regarded jazz educator, Shaw is rightfully credited with being one of the great innovators of jazz trumpet. This post-bop set starts in freeform fashion on the first track, before settling in to a more focussed creative groove.

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Gnu High
Kenny Wheeler
1976 [ECM]

Wheeler trades his trumpet for a flugelhorn, ditches the avant-garde, and gives his talented sidemen plenty of room to move. Pianist Keith Jarrett was about to become a star in his own right, with both Dave Holland and Jack DeJohnette in the rhythm section proving why they too would become mainstays of modern progressive jazz.