The Blackwell Guide to Recorded Jazz

A collection of jazz recordings, covering all styles, periods, and areas. The book's focus is the music itself, and in identifying great performances, the authors chart the massively complex issue history of the great sessions, giving a complete catalogue of CD, LP and cassette releases.

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The first edition of the Guide was widely praised for identifying 150 key recordings that should form the basis of any jazz collection, backed up by a series of detailed critical commentaries unrivalled in any competing book of its kind for their depth and critical insight. This new edition broadens the scope of the Guide , looking at recent developments and styles and suggesting almost 250 discs as the core collection. The focus of the book remains the music itself. The authors chart the issues of the sessions discussed, and introduce ideas for further listening. To the newcomer to jazz forming a basic collection, this remains the essential guide. To the more seasoned listener, the Guide offers a path through recent areas of the music, and some unexpected selections, as well as providing information and helpful critical discussion.