A French Barclay release of early Prestige sessions.   Thelonious Monk the composer and pianist is one of the archetects of modern jazz.   See the Clint Eastwood produced documentary “Straight, No Chaser” for a moving portrait of the artist and reclusive genious later in his career.

(13 votes, average: 4.31 out of 5)

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What a cool, hip, stylish, beautiful, clean, elegant design on Contemporary Records.   Jazz cover art during this period (1955 – 1965) on Blue Note, Prestige, Riverside, Contemporary, Verve and Impulse, for example, set the standard for commercial packaging and art direction and perfectly capture the sophistication and artistry of the music contained within.

(17 votes, average: 4.71 out of 5)

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Jazz arranger Benny Golson (leader of The Jazztet) left Philadelphia for Los Angeles and became a successful TV and Film soundtack composer and producer.   In this mid-sixties concept album, he offers hip takes on the catchy commercial jingles of the day.

(15 votes, average: 4.40 out of 5)

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I collect albums that were issued as multiple cover puzzles. Riverside issued nine lps that created three sexy, cheesecake puzzles. Here is one set. The series “Compositions of…” compiled an amazing collection of modern jazz performances and showcased the writing of Ellington, Monk and Dizzy Gillespie alongside sets of Gershwin, Arlen and Berlin.

(19 votes, average: 4.84 out of 5)

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Urania was a great cover label in the 1950’s and put out some great traditional jazz as well.   This is a cool, sexy chick alone in an alley in the light of a street post after dark.   A cigarette hanging on her lips.   Looks like a pulp JD paperback cover.

(19 votes, average: 4.84 out of 5)

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This is one of a four-part series of singles all with the same front illustration of Dizzy and featuring the legendary cuba percussionist Chano Pozo.

(16 votes, average: 4.38 out of 5)

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