What's a really good jazz cd?

I'm looking for something with no singing...upbeat, with some slow songs. Also where are the best places to get them. I need kind of a couple of upbeat rhythms for my spoken word peaces.

I would have to say Miles Davis: Kind of Blue. I think it defines Miles's true creativity and the way he was able to break away from the regular bebop of his day. around this time Davis, like many of the jazz musicians in that day, began to grow tired and dissatisfied with bebop, seeing its growing of complicated chord changes as a hinderence to true and original creativity. Miles soon became fascinated with pianist George Russell鈥檚 idea of modal in Jazz, which abandoned and tossed the traditional major and minor key relationship of western music and used scales or even a series of scales as improvisation. Davis decided to use this idea of modal and used it in the title track of his '58 album, Milestones. Miles was satisfied with the results of the song that he decided to use the modal composition on an entire album. Along with his band and former band member turned solo artist, Bill Evans, Miles began the project, following a few session to create Kind of Blue. The Album is by far, his most inspirational album and I would have to say the epitomy of Jazz Music. Its deffinetly one to pick up. I listen to it everyday to start my day off and to end it. especially the track Blue in Green, its a relaxing and cool song to just chill to.

Miles Davis: In a Silent Way

any miles davis especially any best of or collection.

Miles Davis - Sketches of Spain..........it is a popular release of his and should be available at most CD/DVD stores or on amazon

If you only own one jazz CD it should be Miles Davis' Kind of Blue

john Coltrane a love supreme

Bob James trio, Straight Up check it out I think u will like it.
Herbie Mann, Deep Pocket CD

The Crusaders: The Second Crusade.

Miles is the Man and Kind of Blue is the album.

(Miles did many many good albums with many different styles - if you're into be-bop check out 'Cookin with' or 'Milestones', 'Kind of Blue' along with Coltrane's 'A Love Supreme' is the birth of modal jazz and if you're into the acid jazz Bitches Brew, In a Silent Way or Live Evil are all great)

Cocoa,
There's tons of good jazz out there.
It all depends on the type of mood do you want to convey through your spoken word pieces? Or even the theme.

For mellow reflective music, try any thing Miles Davis' album, "Kind of Blue". (my favorite is "Blue in Green")

For evocative but deep, try anything by John Coltrane. I love his album "A Love Supreme".

For some straight ahead jazz with a brazilian flavor, try Stan Getz, he did some amazing stuff with Jobim's music.

More modern, upbeat with a strong downbeat and some funk, you can't go wrong with George Duke or Marcus Miller or Najee or George Howard, etc....

All this music is accessible at just about any store selling cd, or on-line.