Cool Struttin’ cover

Cool Struttin’

Released

This 1958 album is an undeniable classic of the hard bop era. Pianist Sonny Clark is joined by trumpeter Art Farmer, alto saxophonist Jackie McLean, bassist Paul Chambers and drummer Philly Joe Jones. The title track is a seductive blues groove, “Blue Minor” a jumpy soul jazz workout with a slight Latin tinge to its main melody. The album’s second side features a furious version of Miles Davis’s early bebop piece, “Sippin’ At Bells,” on which Chambers takes one of his trademark bowed solos, and ends with the old standard “Deep Night.” There are no ballads here, but Jones keeps the beat laid-back even at the jumpiest moments, and the horns fly below the radar, favoring melody over pyrotechnics.

Phil Freeman

Recommended by

Suggestions
The Dark Tree cover

The Dark Tree

Horace Tapscott
Rabo De Nube cover

Rabo De Nube

Jason Moran, Eric Harland, Reuben Rogers, Charles Lloyd Quartet
We Free Kings cover

We Free Kings

Rahsaan Roland Kirk
Lost cover

Lost

Adam Kolker
Cabin Fever cover

Cabin Fever

Lenny Breau
Momentum Space cover

Momentum Space

Elvin Jones, Cecil Taylor, Dewey Redman
Love Hurts cover

Love Hurts

Julian Lage
Season of Changes cover

Season of Changes

Brian Blade & the Fellowship Band