Not as many albums in the 4.0-4.5 range this year as opposed to last year, but far more in the 3.5-4.0 range, so arguably a more consistent year for music generally. We start seeing jazz really stretch its wings and become more inventive and creative around this time (the embryonic stages of free jazz start popping up as well, particularly in the Cecil Taylor record listed below). The rock & rollers are also finally starting to release proper albums now, which adds a bit more diversity to what is otherwise a heavily jazz-dominated list (note the #1!).
Looking forward to 1958. (:
Johnny Griffin -- A Blowin' Session
Thelonious Monk -- Thelonious Himself
Tony Bennett -- Tony
Art Pepper -- Meets the Rhythm Section
Charles Mingus -- East Coasting
Lester Flatt & Earl Scruggs -- Foggy Mountain Jambouree
