6. Miles Davis - Bitches Brew (1970)
This album is considered to be among the most revolutionary jazz albums because it defined the style of jazz-rock fusion. It is also an example of the role the producer can play in editing an album from a number of jam sessions. Important for featuring a combination of unknown and famous musicians including Joe Zawinul, Wayne Shorter, John McLaughlin, Chick Corea, Jack DeJohnette, Dave Holland, Don Alias, Bennie Maupin and Larry Young, Bitches Brew is so forward-thinking that it retains its freshness and mystery even now.
1. Miles Davis - Kind of Blue (1959)
This is the most famous jazz album ever and recognised as Davis’ masterpiece. The album is essential mood music, experimental and spontaneous. Apart from Miles, it features a stellar line-up of Julian "Cannonball" Adderley, Paul Chambers, Jimmy Cobb, John Coltrane, Bill Evans and Wynton Kelly. Davis did not allow any rehearsal before the recording but laid out the themes before the tape rolled, and then the band improvised. The end results were wondrous and still crackle with vitality.