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Sonny Clark: Sonny's Conception (CD: Proper, 4 CDs)Sonny Clark: Sonny's Conception (CD: Proper, 4 CDs)
Sonny Clark’s soulful piano was a musical delight. His blues playing had a grace and weight unequalled in jazz before or since. Heroin and alcohol problems brought on a premature and tragic death at the age of 31.

We follow Sonny’s path from early 1954 with early solo performances through to trio tunes from 1960. Along the way we hear Sonny collaborating with the likes of John Coltrane, Art Farmer, Donald Byrd, Max Roach and other leading lights. This 4 CD set comes with a booklet with Sonny’s story and discographical information. (Proper Records) 


Price:  £16.99 

Sonny Clark: With Paul Chambers & Philly Joe Jones (CD: Blue Note RVG- US Import)
 


Price:  £15.99 
 Sonny Clark: With Paul Chambers & Philly Joe Jones (CD: Blue Note RVG- US Import)

Sonny Clark: Cool Struttin' (CD: Blue Note RVG)Sonny Clark: Cool Struttin' (CD: Blue Note RVG)
A bright and breezy late fifties session from the underrated pianist, once said to be Dexter Gordon's favourite accompanist. Despite the presence of four long tracks (plus two bonus cuts not on the original LP), this is no mere blowing date like many others, but it allows plenty of room for Art Farmer, Jackie McLean and the leader to stretch out on 'Sippin' At Bells' and the swaggering title track. Classic Reid Miles cover art to boot.

A BEBOP SHOP MILESTONE- An essential recording for your jazz CD shelf  


Price:  £8.99 

Sonny Clark: Cool Struttin' (Vinyl LP: Blue Note)
Conrad Yeatis Clark, otherwise known as Sonny Clark, was in many ways the quintessential hard bop pianist. Possessed of an enviable lyrical flow and a wealth of inventive melodic ideas that unfurled with clarity and without fuss, Clark had a deeply rooted feeling for the blues.

After moving from his hometown of Pittsburgh to New York, Clark emerged as a ubiquitous presence on Blue Note starting in 1957. It was on his fifth Blue Note date as a leader that Clark arrived at his masterwork, Cool Struttin’, recorded in January 1958 with a top-shelf quintet featuring Art Farmer on trumpet, Jackie McLean on alto saxophone, Paul Chambers on bass, and ‘Philly’ Joe Jones on drums. The album has only grown in stature as a timeless hard bop classic since Clark’s premature death at age 31 in 1963.

This Blue Note Classic Vinyl Edition is all-analog, mastered by Kevin Gray from the original master tapes, and pressed on 180g vinyl at Optimal. (Blue Note Recods) 


Price:  £25.99 

 Sonny Clark: Cool Struttin' (Vinyl LP: Blue Note)

Sonny Clark: Dial S For Sonny (Vinyl LP: Blue Note)Sonny Clark: Dial S For Sonny (Vinyl LP: Blue Note)
One of the finest pianists and composers of the hard bop era, Sonny Clark seemed to arrive fully formed on his supremely swinging debut album Dial “S” for Sonny recorded for Blue Note in 1957. Clark assembled a top-flight sextet for the occasion with Art Farmer on trumpet, Curtis Fuller on trombone, Hank Mobley on tenor saxophone, Wilbur Ware on bass, and Louis Hayes on drums. Clark penned four of the album’s six tunes including the moody, minor title piece, the bright, fleet-footed “Bootin’ It,” the feel-good theme “Sonny’s Mood,” and the sprightly swinger “Shoutin’ on a Riff.” Rounding out the set are two standards: a stunning ballad performance of “It Could Happen To You” with Farmer delivering the opening theme and Fuller closing the piece, both with their warm, full-bodied tones, and the Gershwin tune “Love Walked In” which is a showpiece for Clark who opens with a solo intro before being joined by bass and drums for a trio performance that let’s his inventive style shine.

This Blue Note Classic Vinyl Edition is mono, all-analog, mastered by Kevin Gray from the original master tapes, and pressed on 180g vinyl at Optimal. (Blue Note Records) 


Price:  £25.99 

Sonny Clark: Leapin' and Lopin' (CD: Blue Note RVG)
This November 13, 1961 session ranges from the modal “Melody in C” to the soulful blues “Somethin' Special”. The renowned rhythm section of Clark, Butch Warren, and Billy Higgins supports Tommy Turrentine and Charlie Rouse magnificently. Ike Quebec guests on the magnificent ballad “Deep in a Dream.” Additional tunes from the session and an alternate take are added to this Rudy Van Gelder remaster. (Blue Note Records) 


Price:  £8.99 
 Sonny Clark: Leapin' and Lopin' (CD: Blue Note RVG)
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