Herr Tubthumper: it appears I'm not even capable of reading a thread title. Saw the word jazz, and I was off. This might indicate that I'm better versed in the contemporary stuff.
You keep em coming. Top quality suggestions so far, although my views of the likes of Primal Scream and, even more so, The Stone Roses are not too dissimilar to yours on The Beatles.
As WZ says, Kind of Blue by Miles Davis is a delight and at the stylistically different end, try Bitches Brew. Between them, they might encourage you to explore the in-between stuff.
'Free Jazz' by Ornette Coleman is worth a go for an early out-there take. In terms of more recent stuff:
You know...