Various Artists - Ultimate Collection: Jazz [Digipack] - CD

Who knows how Direct Source distinguishes between "jazz legends" and "giants of jazz," but this two-disc set is packed with hip performances by masters from Django Reinhardt and Miles Davis to John Coltrane (early) to Cannonball Adderley to Lester Young to Count Basie and Wayne Shorter. The bottom line is that this will actually appeal not only to jazz collectors, but to those looking for an interesting introduction. The music ranges from bebop to hard bop, from New Orleans to modal to Kansas City swing to West Coast cool; it is an eclectic mix, to say the very least. That said (and who knows how they were picked), the cuts are sequenced well and the sound is far better than one would expect. It's curious, but welcome. ~ Thom Jurek, All Music Guide