In 1979, Billboard published a top 50 Jazz Albums list in every issue. Here's a chart of the #1 jazz albums of that year:
| Week Ending | Album | Artist(s) |
|---|---|---|
| January 6 | Touchdown | Bob James |
| January 13 | ||
| January 20 | ||
| January 27 | ||
| February 3 | ||
| February 10 | ||
| February 17 | ||
| February 24 | ||
| March 3 | ||
| March 10 | ||
| March 17 | Carmel | Joe Sample |
| March 24 | ||
| March 31 | Livin' Inside Your Love | George Benson |
| April 7 | ||
| April 14 | ||
| April 21 | ||
| April 28 | ||
| May 5 | ||
| May 12 | ||
| May 19 | ||
| May 26 | ||
| June 2 | ||
| June 9 | ||
| June 16 | ||
| June 23 | Street Life | The Crusaders |
| June 30 | ||
| July 7 | ||
| July 14 | ||
| July 21 | ||
| July 28 | ||
| August 4 | ||
| August 11 | ||
| August 18 | ||
| August 25 | ||
| September 1 | ||
| September 8 | ||
| September 15 | ||
| September 22 | ||
| September 29 | ||
| October 6 | ||
| October 13 | ||
| October 20 | ||
| October 27 | ||
| November 3 | ||
| November 10 | ||
| November 17 | Rise | Herb Alpert |
| November 24 | ||
| December 1 | ||
| December 8 | ||
| December 15 | One on One | Bob James & Earl Klugh |
| December 22 |
This one's right in my wheelhouse, Mark... Mid–Late 70's is my favorite period for what was once known as "Contemporary Jazz" (now "Smooth Jazz"). These are all in my collection, and are among the earliest Jazz CD's I purchased.
ReplyDeleteAlthough George Benson is easily my favorite artist on this list (followed closely by Herb Alpert), "Livin' Inside" doesn't quite measure up to "Weekend In L.A." (not to mention, "Breezin'"). No siree, Dirk's fave LP here would definitely have to be Bob James' "Touchdown". Unlike GB, James has been hit-or-miss with me over the years. "Touchdown", however, never gets old... Entire album is a stone-cold classic.
Most recent acquisition from the list is BJ & Klugh's "One On One". Upgraded my previous copy about a year ago with this sweet Salvo import.
Dirk's Top Jazz, '79 (Rejiggered):
6) One On One
5) Livin' Inside Your Love
4) Rise
3) Carmel
2) Street Life
1) Touchdown
BOOM, goes the dynamite!