What is the best European jazz album of all time?

European jazz developed its own distinct voice — ECM Records' crystalline sound, Scandinavian cool, and a classical sensibility that American jazz rarely touched. Which European album deserves the top spot?

1

The Köln Concert

Keith Jarrett's 1975 Cologne improvisation — ECM's defining moment.

2

Belonging

Jan Garbarek's 1974 ECM quartet album with Keith Jarrett — Nordic jazz perfection.

3

Officium

Jan Garbarek and the Hilliard Ensemble's 1994 saxophone-meets-medieval-chant classic.

4

Strange Place for Snow

E.S.T.'s 2002 album — the 21st-century template for European piano trio jazz.

5

Khmer

Nils Petter Molvær's 1997 ECM debut — nu-jazz and electronica meet.

6

Michel Petrucciani - Pianism

Michel Petrucciani's 1985 Blue Note album — virtuoso French piano jazz.

7

Soul of Things

Tomasz Stańko's 2002 ECM masterpiece — Polish jazz poetry at its finest.

8

The Ground

Tord Gustavsen Trio's 2004 ECM debut — Norwegian piano trio at its most meditative.

9

Djangologie

Django Reinhardt's essential early recordings — European jazz's founding documents.

10

Gnu High

Kenny Wheeler's 1976 ECM album with Keith Jarrett — post-bop trumpet jazz perfection.

11

New Conception of Jazz

Bugge Wesseltoft's 1996 album — Norwegian jazz meets electronic club music.