BEST little know Jazz Album that you ever heard?

My favourite lesser-known jazz album is: 'The Don Ewell quartette'

"Yellow Dog Blues" on the 'Audiophile' label 'AP-66 monophonic"

My original copy is a reddish coloured vinyl. I think the recording

and performances are 'top shelf' There are a couple of 'stereo' re-issues

and I have a later 'Audiophile' reissue which is also pretty good.

I play this on friends systems and Everybody wants a copy!

Mine would be Blue Mitchell's "Step Lightly." It was his first date as a leader for Blue Note. It was recorded in 1963 but by the time I got released in 980, Blue was already dead. That's insane.

For a first date, this is an astounding recording, so assured and polished. And Blue's trumpet playing, as always, was divine. If you live in the New York metro area, you might have already heard parts of the title cut--its opening bars were used as the intro the WNYC-FM's Brian Lehrer show for decades.

My favorite cut is the ballad, "Cry Me a River." When Blue finally starts his solo, it's co clear and affecting that this often covered tune sounds fresh again..

Another that might be considered “little known” as a jazz album, but certainly not unfamiliar in terms of the music it contains is “A Charlie Brown Christmas” by the Vince Guaraldi Trio. 
 

‘Tis the Season!

I second Blue Mitchell with The Thing To Do (RGV Edition)

Not much of a jazz-hound but John McLaughlin's first album: Extrapolation.