Wayne Shorter is a musical genius and jazz legend beyond measure, who needs no introduction. Shorter was already well familiar with Blue Note Records, through his long association with Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers. Wayne appeared on 14 releases with that group, over a 5-year period, before embarking on a 10 album solo career with the label, that spanned from 1964-1970.

With the Jazz Messengers, Shorter proved himself to be quite an accomplished composer, along with becoming an absolute giant of the tenor sax. Speak No Evil was the 3rd album under Shorter's leadership (the first 3 were all recorded in 1964) and is comprised solely of Shorter originals.

An instant classic, with a hall-of-fame lineup, Speak No Evil stands as Wayne Shorter's best solo album, with the previous release, JuJu being a close runner-up!

Blue Mitchell came to prominence working with Horace Silver, one of Blue Notes biggest stars. Mitchell includes his Silver cohorts Junior Cook (tenor) and Gene Taylor (bass) here on this 1964 release, which boasts a very young Chick Corea and the debut recording for Al Foster (who went against his father's wishes and used his proper first name of "Aloysius").

Not all of Blue Mitchell's solo albums for the label have been released on CD, but Chick and Al Foster have gone on to have brilliant careers that continue to prosper over 50 years later!

Please allow me to submit Coltrane's "Blue Train." Great album, obviously, but also a great cover.