Independent, The (London): Jazz Albums

Count Basie: 'The Atomic Mr Basie'

E=MC2=Count Basie Orchestra, as the subtitle goes. From the explosive opener, "The Kid From The Red Bank", this classic Basie album shows why Ellington may have won the composer's laurels but Basie ran the hottest big band. (Roulette, 1975)

Miles Davis: 'Kind of Blue'

Recorded in nine hours in a converted church on East 30th street, Manhattan, this session, based only on sketches, lives up to its legend. Whatever the circumstances, Miles created a contemplative masterpiece. It's Davis at his most awesome and majestic. (Columbia, 1959)

The Oscar Peterson Trio: 'Night Train'

With his classic trio of Ed Thigpen on drums and the late Ray Brown on bass this is a good album for jazz starters. It's a propulsive blow through blues standards (with added takes on the reissue) and is as durable as Kind of Blue. (Verve, 1962)

Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers:

'Free For All'

This molten outpouring from Blakey's great finishing school of muscians puts the hard into "hard bop". The Messengers are whipped into a brutal, angry frenzy by Blakey. (Blue Note, 1964)

Herbie Hancock: 'Headhunters'

This shows Hancock fully embracing gritty funk. Despite its synthesisers, this isn't just a slick commercial outing. The slow, menacing beat of "Vein Melter" is the stuff of post-massacre Travis Bickle nightmares. (Columbia, 1973)

Miles Davis: 'In A Silent Way'

If you're wary of fusion, this might persuade you otherwise. Miles was at the forefront of change again in this loose studio session. The newly released Complete Sessions provide fascinating insights into how this recording was created. (Columbia, 1969)

Keith Jarrett: The Koln Concert

Jazz musicians are often accused of "making it up as they go along". That's exactly what Jarrett did in this stunning solo concert. Without any prior planning he created long, flowing improvisations. Natural, spontaneous jazz. (ECM, 1975)

Al Jarreau: 'Look To The Rainbow'

Ignore his cheesier pop'n'soul outings, Jarreau's jazz credentials shine on this double album collated from live performances - the only way to hear Jarreau the chance-taker. It features beautiful versions of "Better Than Anything" and "Take Five". (Warner, 1977)

Kenny Wheeler: 'Double, Double You'

Although Canadian-born, the trumpeter and flugelhornist Wheeler is an adoptive Brit and represents a vital strand of British jazz. The opener, "Foxy Trot", is a 14-minute roller coaster ride. Grown-up stuff. (ECM, 1984)

Stan Getz: 'Anniversary!'

Kenny Barron on piano sparkles and Rufus Reid lays down one of the most sumptuous double bass solos ever. Getz's tone had matured in a gorgeous, sensual Indian summer. He was to die only four years later but remained commanding, sassy and wistful. (EmArcy, 1987)