some great albums mentioned already.. some to add to the list:
Charles Mingus- Black Saint and the Sinner Lady; possibly one of the greatest jazz compositions of all time.
Charles Mingus - Blues & Roots; fantastic bluesy, spiritual jazz.
McCoy Tyner - The Real McCoy; amazing lineup, amazing album.
Art Blakey - Moanin'
Dexter Gordon - Go
Thelonious Monk - Monk's Music, Brilliant Corners & Monk's Dream
IMO some of the most satisfying and spiritually & emotionally fulfilling albums are on the free jazz side of things, but I'd recommend checking out some of the more accessible works first (above). but if you're feeling a bit more adventurous, and willing to go into free jazz & avant-garde territory, I highly recommend:
Albert Ayler - Spiritual Unity (sound quality not the best, but an extremely influential and mesmerizing album)
Eric Dolphy - Out to Lunch
Art Ensemble of Chicago - Les Stances a Sophie
John Coltrane - Meditations, Sun Ship and Interstellar Space
if you're feeling even more adventurous, then John Coltrane's Ascension is essential listening, but quite inaccessible and definitely a grower. make this one your last stop.
hope this isn't too much - there's so much great music in the jazz realm, it's great fun discovering all this amazing music for the first time. these albums should keep you busy for a while.