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
Somethin’ Else cover

Somethin’ Else

Cannonball Adderley
Damaged in Transit cover

Damaged in Transit

Steve Swallow, Adam Nussbaum, Chris Potter
The Artist cover

The Artist

Jeremy Pelt
Human Dust Suite cover

Human Dust Suite

Miki Yamanaka
Configuration cover

Configuration

Paul Rogers, Tony Hymas, Jacques Thollot, Sam Rivers, Noël Akchoté
Ming cover

Ming

David Murray Octet
Life Time cover

Life Time

Tony Williams