Horace Silver: Horace Silver and the Jazz Messengers (Blue Note, 1956 [recorded in 1954 and 1955])

“The Preacher” was Silver’s first hit, although “Room 608” and “Doodlin’” are deeper signifiers of his soulful, blues-heavy style. The title is the real giveaway, though: The album was recorded when Silver was still co-leader of the band that drummer Art Blakey would later assume command of. Their summit with saxophonist Hank Mobley, trumpeter Kenny Dorham, and bassist Doug Watkins is one of the founding texts of the hard-bop style. MICHAEL J. WEST

Learn more about Horace Silver and the Jazz Messengers on Amazon and Walmart.