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
In Willisau cover

In Willisau

Ed Blackwell, Dewey Redman
Mesmerism cover

Mesmerism

Tyshawn Sorey
Symbol Systems cover

Symbol Systems

Matthew Shipp
Red Clay cover

Red Clay

Freddie Hubbard
Avec le Temps cover

Avec le Temps

Giovanni Guidi
At Carnegie Hall cover

At Carnegie Hall

Thelonious Monk Quartet, John Coltrane
Grits, Beans and Greens cover

Grits, Beans and Greens

Tubby Hayes Quartet
Yesterdays cover

Yesterdays

Jack DeJohnette, Gary Peacock, Keith Jarrett
Connect cover

Connect

Charles Tolliver