Sonny Clark - Dial "S" for Sonny (1957)

Dial "S" for Sonny, Sonny Clark's first session for Blue Note Records and his first session as a leader, is a terrific set of laidback bop, highlighted by Clark's liquid, swinging solos. Clark leads a first-rate group -- Art Farmer (trumpet), Curtis Fuller (trombone), Hank Mobley (tenor sax), Wilbur Ware (bass), Louis Hayes (drums) -- through four originals and two standards, balancing the selections between swinging bop and reflective ballads. There are traces of Bud Powell in Clark's style, but he's beginning to come into his own, developing a style that's alternately edgy and charmingly relaxed. Mobley, Farmer and Fuller have their moments, but Clark steals the show in this set of fine, straight-ahead bop.

by Stephen Thomas Erlewine

http://www.allmusic.com/album/dial-quot-s-quot-for-sonny-mw0000267905

Art Farmer & Benny Golson - Meet the Jazztet (1960)

Although this CD has the same program as the original LP, it gets the highest rating because it is a hard bop classic. Not only does it include superior solos from trumpeter Art Farmer, trombonist Curtis Fuller, tenor saxophonist Benny Golson, and pianist McCoy Tyner (who was making his recording debut) along with fine backup from bassist Addison Farmer and drummer Lex Humphries, but it features the writing of Golson. Highlights include the original version of "Killer Joe" along with early renditions of "I Remember Clifford" and "Blues March." This was Fuller and Tyner's only recording with the original Jazztet, and all ten selections (which also include "Serenata," "It Ain't Necessarily So," "It's All Right With Me," and "Easy Living") are quite memorable.

Scott Yanow

http://www.allmusic.com/album/meet-the-jazztet-r138558

1. Serenata

2. It Ain't Necessarely So

3, Avalon

4. I Remember Clifford

5. Blues March

6. It's All Right With Me

7. Park Avenue Petite

8. Mox Nix

9. Easy Living

10. Killer Joe

Art Farmer (tp), Benny Golson (ts), Curtis Fuller (tb), McCoy Tyner (p), 

Addison Farmer (b), Lex Humphries (d)