Various Artists: Jazz Legends Box Set – 20 Original Albums From The Iconic Atlantic Label

Rating: ★★★★

Record and Artist Details

Musicians:

Billy Cobham (d)
Charles Mingus (b)
John Coltrane
Ornette Coleman (as)
John Coltrane (ts)
Roland Kirk (reeds)
Joe Zawinul (p, el p)

Label:

Atlantic/Rhino

July/2014

Catalogue Number:

81227 96024 7

RecordDate:

1956-1973

At a time when practically every record ever made can be accessed online at the brief click of a mouse, there remain those who still wish to own a physical representation; hence renewed interest in (costly) black vinyl. Meanwhile industry gossip suggests that the CD is possibly approaching its sell-by date! True or false, it's impossible to ignore the current proliferation of official budget price multi-disc box sets. Not so much a fire sale, but this thoughtfully assembled box from Atlantic's all-knowing Florence Joelle Halfon amounts to an astonishing opportunity of acquiring 20 pivotal albums from its back catalogue for around £28!! Yes, you read it correctly – £1.40 a disc! So what's on the menu? Well, its desirability speaks for itself with such 24-carat classics as Giant Steps (John Coltrane), Blues & Roots (Charles Mingus), Change Of The Century (Ornette Coleman), The Inflated Tear (Roland Kirk), Pyramid (MJQ), Memphis Underground (Herbie Mann) and the self-titled Jazz Messengers with Thelonious Monk. Among the remaining titles you'll discover indespensible moments in the early careers of Keith Jarrett, Freddie Hubbard, Chris Connor, Chick Corea, Billy Cobham, Joe Zawinul, Roy Ayers, Mongo Santamaria and others plus words of wisdom from this publication's ivory tickler, Brian Priestley. Final word: it's either this or the latest releases from Peter Andre and Conchita Wurst – the choice, as always, is yours!

Follow us

Jazzwise Print

  • Latest print issues

From £5.83 / month

Subscribe

Jazzwise Digital Club

  • Latest digital issues
  • Digital archive since 1997
  • Download tracks from bonus compilation albums during the year
  • Reviews Database access

From £7.42 / month

Subscribe

Subscribe from only £5.83

Never miss an issue of the UK's biggest selling jazz magazine.

Subscribe

View the Current
Issue

Take a peek inside the latest issue of Jazzwise magazine.

Find out more