Chris' Vinyl Picks
๐ŸŽต Lists By Genres
๐ŸŽ›๏ธ Other
Dig by Category
๐ŸŽค Artist Deep Dive ๐ŸŽท Jazz →

Best Nina Simone Albums: Top 10 Ranked

Nina Simone Cover

๐ŸŽง Artist Spotlight

Nina Simone

Dive deep into the essential discography of Nina Simone. Explore the defining studio albums that shaped their legendary career.

โšก Key Highlights of Article

  • Ranked from best to worst, exploring Nina Simone’s brilliant musical evolution across 10 essential studio albums.
  • Highlights landmark records like Pastel Blues, I Put a Spell on You, and Nina Simone Sings the Blues.
  • Features casual vinyl pressing tips and standout track lists for every record.
  • Includes a friendly crate-digging buying guide and frequently asked questions about her discography.
Curated Spotify PlaylistExpand Player โ–พ
๐Ÿ“‹ Vinyl Guide (10 Albums)Jump List โŒƒ

Stepping into the world of Nina Simone is like getting a masterclass in raw emotion, fierce independence, and genre-defying genius. Armed with a conservatory-level piano technique and a voice that could slice right through your soul, she effortlessly bridged jazz, blues, classical, and soul.

Building a Nina Simone vinyl collection is an absolute rite of passage for any crate digger. Let us dive straight into the crate and rank ten of her most essential studio albums from best to worst.

Essential Nina Simone Albums Ranked

#1 Essential Pick

Nina Simone โ€” Pastel Blues

Label: Philips • Released: 1965

Nina Simone โ€” Pastel Blues

Label: Philips • Released: 1965

Pastel Blues sits comfortably at the top for housing one of the most haunting, defining vocal performances in recorded history with ‘Sinnerman.’ It balances devastating sorrow with fierce resilience, showcasing her unmatched piano prowess and emotional depth.

๐Ÿ”Š PREVIEW TOP TRACKS โŒ„
โ™ซ Sinnerman (Live In New York/1965)
โ™ซ Be My Husband
โ™ซ Nobody Knows You When You’re Down and Out
๐Ÿชฉ Vinyl Pressing & Mastering Notes: Original Philips pressing copies command high prices, but standard acoustic-sounding modern reissues capture the raw intensity brilliantly.
#2 Essential Pick

Nina Simone โ€” I Put a Spell on You

Label: Philips • Released: 1965

Nina Simone โ€” I Put a Spell on You

Label: Philips • Released: 1965

This album brilliantly blends sultry pop sensibilities with sultry jazz and blues arrangements that just ooze atmosphere. The title track is an absolute tour de force that grabs your attention and refuses to let go.

๐Ÿ”Š PREVIEW TOP TRACKS โŒ„
โ™ซ I Put a Spell On You
โ™ซ Ne Me Quitte Pas
โ™ซ Feeling Good
๐Ÿชฉ Vinyl Pressing & Mastering Notes: Look out for clean vintage US mono pressings if you want that extra punchy mid-century analog warmth.
#3 Essential Pick

Nina Simone โ€” Nina Simone Sings the Blues

Label: RCA Victor • Released: 1967

Nina Simone โ€” Nina Simone Sings the Blues

Label: RCA Victor • Released: 1967

Shifting over to RCA, Nina leaned hard into gritty, down-home blues and absolutely owned the genre. Her gritty delivery on tracks like ‘House of the Rising Sun’ makes this an essential spin for any blues lover.

๐Ÿ”Š PREVIEW TOP TRACKS โŒ„
โ™ซ Do I Move You?
โ™ซ The House of the Rising Sun
โ™ซ Backlash Blues
๐Ÿชฉ Vinyl Pressing & Mastering Notes: Early orange label RCA pressings sound wonderfully vivid and spacious on a good vintage setup.
#4 Essential Pick

Nina Simone โ€” Wild Is the Wind

Label: Philips • Released: 1966

Nina Simone โ€” Wild Is the Wind

Label: Philips • Released: 1966

A deeply intimate record that highlights her breathtaking phrasing and minimalist piano arrangements. It is a late-night listening staple that feels like she is performing right in your living room.

๐Ÿ”Š PREVIEW TOP TRACKS โŒ„
โ™ซ Wild Is The Wind (Live)
โ™ซ Four Women
โ™ซ Lilac Wine
๐Ÿชฉ Vinyl Pressing & Mastering Notes: Check for clean vinyl surfaces, as these quiet, moody tracks make surface noise very noticeable.
#5 Essential Pick

Nina Simone โ€” High Priestess of Soul

Label: Philips • Released: 1967

Nina Simone โ€” High Priestess of Soul

Label: Philips • Released: 1967

Backed by lush, rhythmic arrangements from Hal Mooney, this album explores vibrant African and gospel-infused soul sounds. It showcases her incredible versatility and command over diverse musical landscapes.

๐Ÿ”Š PREVIEW TOP TRACKS โŒ„
โ™ซ Work Song
โ™ซ Don’t You Pay Them No Mind
โ™ซ Keeper of the Flame
๐Ÿชฉ Vinyl Pressing & Mastering Notes: Sturdy vintage Philips stereo pressings are widely available and sound remarkably crisp.
Official Store

โ˜• The Perfect Gift for Vinyl Lovers

Whether for your morning brew or the vinyl fan in your life, explore our exclusive ceramic mugs. Custom made-to-order with worldwide tracked shipping!

#6 Essential Pick

Nina Simone โ€” Little Girl Blue

Label: Bethlehem • Released: 1958

Nina Simone โ€” Little Girl Blue

Label: Bethlehem • Released: 1958

Her historic debut album introduced the world to her unique blend of jazz standards and classical flourishes. While her later records carry more political fire, the pristine innocence and heartbreak here are undeniable.

๐Ÿ”Š PREVIEW TOP TRACKS โŒ„
โ™ซ My Baby Just Cares for Me (2021 – Stereo Remaster)
โ™ซ Little Girl Blue (2021 – Stereo Remaster)
โ™ซ Mood Indigo (2021 – Stereo Remaster)
๐Ÿชฉ Vinyl Pressing & Mastering Notes: Original Bethlehem pressings are rare holy grails, but quality audiophile reissues make listening affordable.
#7 Essential Pick

Nina Simone โ€” Silk & Soul

Label: RCA Victor • Released: 1967

Nina Simone โ€” Silk & Soul

Label: RCA Victor • Released: 1967

A gorgeous sophomore effort for RCA that balances smooth soul arrangements with biting social commentary. Her cover of ‘I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel to Be Free’ is an uplifting masterpiece.

๐Ÿ”Š PREVIEW TOP TRACKS โŒ„
โ™ซ I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel to Be Free
โ™ซ It Be’s That Way Sometime
โ™ซ The Look of Love
๐Ÿชฉ Vinyl Pressing & Mastering Notes: Look for standard Dynaflex pressings if you are hunting thrift stores, though traditional heavyweight pressings offer better weight.
#8 Essential Pick

Nina Simone โ€” Nina Simone and Piano!

Label: RCA Victor • Released: 1969

Nina Simone โ€” Nina Simone and Piano!

Label: RCA Victor • Released: 1969

Stripping away all the lush backing orchestras and big bands, this record leaves just Nina and her piano. It ranks a bit lower only due to its quiet, specialized mood, but the intimacy is genuinely breathtaking.

๐Ÿ”Š PREVIEW TOP TRACKS โŒ„
โ™ซ Seems I’m Never Tired Lovin’ You
โ™ซ Nobody’s Fault But Mine
โ™ซ The Desperate Ones
๐Ÿชฉ Vinyl Pressing & Mastering Notes: A clean copy without heavy inner-groove wear is essential to fully appreciate the sparse piano tone.
#9 Essential Pick

Nina Simone โ€” Baltimore

Label: CTI Records • Released: 1978

Nina Simone โ€” Baltimore

Label: CTI Records • Released: 1978

Venturing into a sleek late-70s reggae and pop-infused production style, this album divided some purists. Even so, her magnificent vocal delivery on the title track proves her enduring star power.

๐Ÿ”Š PREVIEW TOP TRACKS โŒ„
โ™ซ Baltimore
โ™ซ Rich Girl
โ™ซ Everything Must Change
๐Ÿชฉ Vinyl Pressing & Mastering Notes: CTI pressings from this era are usually easy to find in the dollar bins and often sound surprisingly punchy.
#10 Essential Pick

Nina Simone โ€” Forbidden Fruit

Label: Colpix • Released: 1961

Nina Simone โ€” Forbidden Fruit

Label: Colpix • Released: 1961

Rounding out our list is this charming early Colpix release that highlights her cabaret and live-performance roots. While it lacks the groundbreaking thematic weight of her mid-60s masterpieces, it is still a delightful spin.

๐Ÿ”Š PREVIEW TOP TRACKS โŒ„
โ™ซ Work Song
โ™ซ Forbidden Fruit
โ™ซ Lonesome Cities
๐Ÿชฉ Vinyl Pressing & Mastering Notes: Original Colpix mono pressings have fantastic vintage charm if you can track down a clean copy.
๐Ÿ“ฉ

Donโ€™t Miss a Beat

Get our latest lists and hidden gem recommendations delivered straight to your inbox. No spamโ€”just good music.

๐Ÿ”’ 100% Free & No Spam. Unsubscribe at any time.

Vinyl Crate-Digging & Buying Guide

Hunting down Nina Simone records on vinyl is an absolute joy because her catalog spans multiple legendary labels like Philips, RCA, and Colpix. Start your search by digging through the jazz and vocal sections of local record shops, where mid-60s RCA and Philips pressings frequently pop up in great condition. If you want pristine sound quality without breaking the bank on original pressings, look out for modern audiophile reissues from labels like Verve or Analogue Productions.

Final Thoughts

Whether you are spinning the frantic rhythms of ‘Sinnerman’ or the tender notes of her debut, Nina Simone’s music demands to be heard on vinyl. Grab your favorite record, drop the needle, and let her legendary voice transport you.

Want to dig deeper into Jazz?

Explore essential pressings, crate-digger guides, and artist masterworks in this genre.