5 Blue Note Records with DJ Flow

DJ Flow: [] was one of the first records I ever bought, and [it was] my introduction to the Blue Note brand. I was drawn to the photography and the artwork, and when I heard the music I was hooked on the hard bop sound.

At the time, I also had an interest in Shades of Blue album, I knew I was on to something.

From the moment you drop the needle on John Coltrane‘s playing takes it to another level. His music has this incredible ability to transport you somewhere else. 

I already knew him as a household name in jazz, thanks to albums like Kind of Blue, I had to track down everything he was involved with. While some of his music can be challenging to grasp, Blue Train is one that everyone should have in their collection.

Another alum from the legendary Kind of Blue album, Cannonball Adderley is a player whose personality shines through every note. I don’t think I’ve ever heard him speak, but you can feel his cool, joyful vibe whenever he plays. Being part of Miles Davis’ “First Great Quintet” probably influenced his style, which eventually led to his iconic performance on Kind of Blue, recorded just a year later.

The title track, “Something Else,” kicks off with this super cool back-and-forth between Cannonball and Miles. It’s like a call and response, with Art Blakey’s beat pushing everything forward. It’s a true masterclass in cool.

This is one of those records I thought I’d never come across. I have a bit of an obsession with collecting anything on 45 if it exists, which is probably why I was invited to the The Low End Theory. 

I had no idea it was even available on 45 until I stumbled across it at a garage sale. I was so shocked that I had to pull out my phone and play the song just to make sure I was holding the right record. Later, I found the full album, Moon Rappin’, which is an incredible jazz/funk record.

This is one of those records I originally picked up just off the cover alone. The iconic photo and design immediately grabbed my attention. But once you dive into the music, especially a track like “Mimosa” with Paul Chambers, yet another member of the “First Great Quintet,” holding it all together. 

This is easily one of my favorite records, and I actually named my all-jazz vinyl podcast after it. On the show, I share gems from my collection and invite guests to talk about their top picks, too.