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
Ode cover

Ode

Brad Mehldau
At Birdland cover

At Birdland

Wild Bill Davis
Getz/Gilberto cover

Getz/Gilberto

Antônio Carlos Jobim, João Gilberto, Stan Getz
In All Languages cover

In All Languages

Ornette Coleman
Unity Band cover

Unity Band

Pat Metheny, Antonio Sánchez, Ben Williams, Chris Potter
Magnetic cover

Magnetic

Terence Blanchard
Nightmoves cover

Nightmoves

Kurt Elling
Ming cover

Ming

David Murray Octet
Trio Grande cover

Trio Grande

Will Vinson, Antonio Sánchez, Gilad Hekselman
1+1 cover

1+1

Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock