I Put a Spell on You
1965
Simone had trained to be a classical pianist and was turned down by the conservatory. You can hear the Bach in her left hand throughout.
★ 7.9
The Albums canon
Sourced and spun.
Every record chosen by hand and annotated for why it matters.
Browse all 542 records or filter by genre, artist, and year.
Browse all 542 records or filter by genre, artist, and year.
In the Wee Small Hours
1955
Sixteen ballads in one unbroken mood, recorded after his marriage to Ava Gardner fell apart, and built to be heard in order.
★ 6.9
Songs for Swingin' Lovers
1956
The trombone solo in I've Got You Under My Skin was played by a man standing on a box to reach the microphone.
★ 5.9
Ella and Louis
1957
Two voices at opposite ends of everything, one crystalline and one like gravel, backed by the Oscar Peterson quartet with no written arrangements.
★ 5.1
Sinatra at the Sands
1966
Count Basie's orchestra behind him, Quincy Jones's arrangements, and a long unscripted monologue in the middle that is half the reason people keep it.
★ 3.9
Songs for Distingue Lovers
1957
Her voice had gone by then, and she sings behind the beat and around the notes, which turns out to be the whole point.
★ 3.6