Before Herbie went mainstream, he went interstellar.

50 years ago today, The Jacksons' "Enjoy Yourself" was released as a single.

Common took Erykah Badu to J Dilla's Detroit basement, wall-to-wall records. Dilla told her to pick one. She pulled Tarika Blue, fell for "Dreamflower" and chose the part. Dilla taught her to sample it on his MPC and added drums. That became "Didn't Cha Know"

25 years ago today, Aphex Twin's "Drukqs" was released. A double set that moves from dense, hyperactive electronics to spare prepared-piano pieces. One of Aphex Twin’s most expansive and polarized records.

57 years ago today, Led Zeppelin's "Led Zeppelin II" was released. The follow-up that hardened the sound. Heavy blues-rock, shorter forms, and “Whole Lotta Love” as the single that expanded the audience.

14 years ago today, Kendrick Lamar's "Good Kid, M.A.A.D City" was released.

Before Miles came calling, Wayne Shorter made this quiet little masterpiece.

October 21, 1960: Coltrane picks up the soprano.

69 years ago today, Miles Davis's "Miles Ahead" was released. Miles with Gil Evans for the first time, on flugelhorn and with a full orchestra. Spacious, cool arrangements that marked a clear break from the small-group work.

51 years ago today, Tom Waits's "Nighthawks at the Diner" was released. Recorded live in a studio with an invited audience. Early Waits as beat-poet and piano man, full of late-night stories and the persona he was still shaping.

66 years ago, John Coltrane's "My Favorite Things" was recorded.

One of my favourite flips of all time.

Happy birthday to Dizzy Gillespie, born on this day in 1917! Trumpeter and composer at the center of bebop, alongside Charlie Parker. Later a key figure in Afro-Cuban jazz, with a signature bent horn and blazing upper register.

Some songs never age. Green Onions was born cool and stayed that way.