13. Machito - Kenya

OK, so I stole this quote from the man himself....

"If you've got rhythm, you have everything. Without rhythm you have nothing."

That pretty much sums up this album. A must for those in search of a killer rhythm. This album follows on from (and refines) the Congolese/Cuban sound in Sabu Martinez' Palo Congo.

Sadly, Machito died on stage in 1984 at Ronnie Scott's in London after suffering a stroke. At least he died doing what he loved.

Check this for a taste of Machito and his orchestra.

12. Miles Davis - Birth of the Cool

He's not wrong. A total deviation from pretty much anything that any jazz musicians were attempting at the time, Miles Davis became a legend when releasing this album. Tutored by the great Dizzy Gillespie and the often astonishing Charlie Parker, Miles Davis had a hell of a lot to live up to.

This album is new. No more bebop. No more frantic fast crazy trumpet solos. This IS the definition of cool. Attempting to do something that has never been done before is something that Miles Davis would later become associated with again, and again, and again.....

Thanks Miles. The soundtrack to many a Sunday afternoon.

Incidentally, the name Miles doubled in popularity in the US in the year of the release of this album. Upon his death in 1991, the re-release of his entire back catalog had a similar, but much more profound effect on the choice of the name Miles for boys. It's entirely possible (and I expect likely) that Miles Davis' music is now more popular than it ever was when he was alive and is now properly recognised for the utter genius that it was. (we'll see more of Mr. Davis later...)

11. Sabu Martinez - Palo Congo

Louis "Sabu" Martinez was a conga player - or conguero. Odd that an entire album should be dedicated to someone who only plays the conga? NO WAY! Since visiting Cuba last year, I've been amazed by the speed and skill of some of the congueros out there. Sabu was the original.. and in my opinion, one of the best. This guy started playing tin cans in the streets and soon taught himself to be a master of his art.

Palo congo literally means - the religion of the Congolese... the people who migrated to Cuba (either against their will in the slave trade, or by choice later in Cuba's history). The religion in this case is music.

Listening to this album makes me feel like I'm back in Candelaria in western Cuba listening to the local musicians and drinking many many mojitos. Music filled with such pasion is hard to put down. It represents part of the diversity of the music of such an intriguing country and always inspires the imagination.

Word of warning... don't play Billumba at full volume on your iPod when you are about to go to sleep.. is a bit disconcerting if you don't speak Spanish and you aren't expecting a crazy shouting man! Made me jump anyway.

Sabu - buenos noches!

10. Thelonious Monk - Brilliant Corners

I've had Straight, No Chaser on my iPod for years..., I thought that was the best Monk could come up with. I feel ashamed that I'd not made the effort to discover this brilliant, but often challenging album from the great man.

Opening with a dischordant vamp and continuing with jazz solos verging on the incomprehensible, this album flicks in and out of a groove which kicks, and immense bursts of creativity on keys.

Pannonica marks a distinct departure from any Monk I've ever heard before, blending the marimba, the xylophone, and the glockenspiel in tandem with a soulful tenor sax. Probably the only time I've ever heard this to good effect (I've heard it plenty of times when it hasn't worked!)

Worth a listen if you can handle improv that doesn't seem like it has a direction, but then brings you back into the fold with a great big hug.

9. Count Basie - The Atomic Mr. Basie

Released in 1957 on Blue Note records, here is 16 tracks of joyful jazz from one of the most important band leaders of his time.

The twinkle fingers of Basie are nimble and expressive and superbly accompanied by the Count Basie Orchestra featuring a full-size horn section - muffled trumpets and all.

For one of the most influential swing records of all time you shouldn't look much farther away than this. "Flight of the Foo Birds" conjures up images of days of extravagance gone by, and the dancing halls of 1950's America.

Brilliant... if you like that sort of thing. Some excellent Sax/Trumpet work from some real jazz names like Eddie 'Lockjaw' Davis, and Snooky Young.