The first six tracks on this album come from a 1957 session with trumpeter Donald Byrd, tenor saxophonist Hank Mobley, bassist Paul Chambers, and drummer Art Blakey. As expected given that lineup, they’re bluesy, riff-based compositions that provide the foundation for extended but melodic solos. Clark’s piano playing was at a peak here — he spins out lines that combine the harmonic intricacy of bebop with the propulsion of hard bop, and Blakey’s rock ’em sock ’em beat keeps him, Byrd and Mobley flying, particularly on the absurdly titled but ferociously energetic “Some Clark Bars.”

– Phil Freeman