The first classic album by
the Horace Silver Quintet, this set is highlighted by "Señor Blues" and "Cool Eyes." The early
Silver quintet of 1956 was essentially
the Jazz Messengers of the year before, with trumpeter
Donald Byrd, tenor saxophonist
Hank Mobley, and bassist
Doug Watkins (while drummer
Louis Hayes was in
Blakey's place), but already the band was starting to develop a sound of its own. "Señor Blues" officially put
Horace Silver on the map, and the album is a hard bop and gospel-tinged jazz gem. [Some reissues add bonus tracks, including two additional versions of "Señor Blues," including a later vocal rendition by
Bill Henderson.] ~ Scott Yanow