The Horace Silver Quintet – Further Explorations (Vinyl)

"Further Explorations" ranks among Silver’s greatest recordings, which is saying a lot. The personnel’s as good as any Horace ever had, including trumpeter Art Farmer, tenorman Clifford Jordan, bassist Teddy Kotick and drummer Louis Hayes. Beyond this the album contains some superb Silver compositions. The asymmetrically constructed “Melancholy Mood” and “The Outlaw” show Silver departing from the 12, 16 and 32 bar forms popular when this album was cut. Horace also contributes the lovely “Moon Rays,” the buoyant “Safari” and “Pyramid,” a mysterious minor piece.

The solos consistently impress. Silver’s rightly known as a funky player, but doesn’t get enough credit for his refined sensitive playing, as on “Melancholy Mood.” Farmer, one of the great post bop trumpeters, makes an unusual selection of intervals but still plays very melodically attractive solos. Jordan turns in sinewy work rooted in the playing of men like Dexter Gordon and Sonny Rollins. Kotick, reportedly Charlie Parker’s favorite bassist, and Hayes keep things moving along briskly. - AllMusic Review

Tracklist:

1. The Outlaw (06:07)
2. Melancholy Mood (06:34)
3. Pyramid (06:38)
4. Moon Rays (10:55)
5. Safari (05:10)
6. Ill Wind (06:55)

Personnel
Bass – Teddy Kotick
Drums – Louis Hayes
Piano – Horace Silver
Tenor Saxophone – Clifford Jordan
Trumpet – Art Farmer

Recorded on January 13, 1958 at the Van Gelder Studio, Hackensack, New Jersey.
Originally released in 1958 in mono as Blue Note BLP 1589.

Cat no: 9991605056558