(©
2000 Richard Cook and Brian Morton; Published
by the Penguin Group, Penguin Books
Ltd.)
 One
of the most authoritative and comprehensive
compilations of reviewed jazz recordings from
around the world. As with their companion,
The Penguin Guide To Compact Discs
(which covers the world of classical music),
the Penguin Guides use a "star rating" in
assessing the relative merits of a particular
recording. In a very few cases, the editors
have issued a crown, or "Five Stars", which
in their own words (". . . to denote
records we feel a special admiration or
affection for: a purely personal choice,
which we hope our readers will deem as
such.")
Both
the Penguin Guides are essential to any music
enthusiast who wishes an intelligent
discussion on compact disc releases - a large
portion of which are of European origin. They
are not afraid to dive head first into the
worlds of "free" or "improvised" music; the
only conspicuous absence is the lack of space
devoted to "contemporary" or "smooth" jazz -
an obviously intentional stroke
(understandable, nonetheless.)
We,
along with the authors of the Penguin Guide,
encourage you to sample these following
recordings - many of which are obvious
choices, and most are lesser-known titles
amongst casual jazz listeners. Their list
allows us to examine the most significant
landmarks in the continuing evolution of jazz
and improvised music. (Note: we have
substituted US catalogue numbers, whenever
possible.)
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