Hall of Jazz: Classic Blue Note Records. Recommended jazz albums.

Afro Blue (Feat. Erykah Badu)Robert Glasper Experiment

Robert Glasper Experiment – Afro Blue (Feat. Erykah Badu)

Since the 2000s, Robert Glasper has drawn attention as an artist who effortlessly crosses genre boundaries in the jazz scene.

Though he began his career as a jazz pianist, his innovative approach—blending jazz with contemporary Black music like hip-hop and R&B—has captivated many listeners.

His 2012 release Black Radio is a landmark that truly showcases his talent.

Featuring star guests such as Erykah Badu and Mos Def, it presents a unique sound where jazz’s improvisational spirit and hip-hop’s groove fuse seamlessly.

Its innovation was highly acclaimed, earning the Grammy Award for Best R&B Album.

It’s a perfect recommendation for those intrigued by jazz but put off by its perceived difficulty, as well as for fans of modern Black music.

Bouncing with BudBud Powell

Bud Powell – Bouncing With Bud

Many early jazz musicians possessed exceptional talent yet struggled with various problems in their personal lives, and Bud Powell—the jazz pianist often hailed as a leading figure of the so‑called bebop style—was one of them.

Universally acknowledged as a genius pianist and a superb composer who produced unforgettable masterpieces, Powell was highly regarded for his potential from the very beginning of his career and left recordings worthy of his gifts.

However, due to health issues and other factors, he fell into alcoholism.

For these reasons, his prime is generally considered to be the recordings from the late 1940s to the early 1950s.

Here, I’d like to introduce The Amazing Bud Powell, released in 1952 on the prestigious Blue Note label.

In any case, this album is the perfect entry point to discover Powell’s allure.

Why not start with this one and step into Bud Powell’s world?

Cheese CakeDexter Gordon

Dexter Gordon – Cheese Cake

Dexter Gordon’s album “Go” is truly a masterpiece among masterpieces from a giant of the jazz world.

Released in 1962, this record lets you fully savor Gordon’s distinctive, rich tone and fluid phrasing.

The tightly knit interplay with top-tier musicians like Sonny Clark and Billy Higgins is superb, conveying the very essence of hard bop without compromise.

Spanning everything from ballads to up-tempo numbers, it’s a work I highly recommend to anyone who wants to feel the depth of jazz.

A classic brimming with adult allure—perfect for late-night listening with a glass in hand.

Soul StationHank Mobley

Soul Station (Remastered 1999/Rudy Van Gelder Edition)

Above all, the title track of the album I’m introducing—“Soul Station”—is known as one of the most popular tunes in modern jazz.

Released in 1960 by the renowned tenor saxophonist Hank Mobley, Soul Station is a masterpiece that sits among the celebrated “4000 series” in the prestigious Blue Note Records catalog.

The title track mentioned at the start is an original composition by Mobley himself, notable for its smooth, melodic saxophone tone.

Across the album, it’s packed with quintessential hard bop gems, the kind that make you feel instantly sophisticated just by listening.

By the way, Mobley also performed with Miles Davis’s band, so if that piques your interest, definitely give him a listen!

StepsCecil Taylor

Cecil Taylor – Steps

Hailing from Queens, New York, Cecil Taylor made his mark as an avant-garde pianist in the jazz world.

Known as a pioneering figure in free jazz, Taylor had been playing piano since childhood and studied classical music at a music college—an important point that underscores his academic musical background.

At the same time, he was also engaged with contemporary music, and his 1966 release Unit Structures is considered a key work in the free jazz movement of the 1960s.

Released on Blue Note, one of the most prestigious labels in jazz, the album stitches together several themes using distinctly contemporary techniques, like a collage, while each performer’s individuality strikes sparks and drives thrilling developments—music that’s undeniably cool even apart from the concept of free jazz.

CherokeeClifford Brown

Cherokee (Remastered)

Clifford Brown, the legendary trumpeter who died young at the age of 25, was a leading player of early hard bop.

His brilliant, lustrous tone captivated many listeners.

His signature albums include Clifford Brown with Strings and this Memorial Album.

The SidewinderLee Morgan

The Sidewinder (Remastered 1999/Rudy Van Gelder Edition)

Released in 1964 by jazz trumpet master Lee Morgan, The Sidewinder is one of the most popular masterpieces ever put out by Blue Note Records.

The title track, The Sidewinder, is widely known as a jazz standard and became such a massive hit that it was featured in TV commercials and film scores at the time.

Its funky, energetic sound—classic hard bop—will captivate not only jazz fans but anyone who listens.

In addition to Morgan’s brilliant trumpet, the performances by an all-star lineup—including Joe Henderson on tenor sax and Barry Harris on piano—are major highlights.

It’s a quintessential album that showcases the true essence of jazz, and a perfect recommendation for anyone just starting to explore the genre.