Horace Silver Trio (The Rudy Van Gelder Edition) [Remastered]

After getting his start with Stan Getz in 1950, Horace Silver began recording his own sides for Blue Note in 1952-1953. Horace Silver Trio represents the best pieces from those two years. Pianist Silver is joined by drummer Art Blakey and bassists Gene Ramey, Curly Russell, and Percy Heath for 16 cuts, including the propulsive "Message From Kenya" and the high-octane "Opus De Funk." As with all good trio work, the strength of the group rests on the intricate interaction of the players, and Silver's trio sounds tight no matter who's playing bass. There are a number of funky originals by the leader, including a bouncy "Buhaina" and the intriguingly structured "Silverware." Blakey, likewise, shines as a writer on "Message From Kenya" and "Nothing But the Soul," two pieces featuring the congas of Sabú Martínez. There are also nice renditions of Duke Ellington's "Prelude to a Kiss" and Mercer/Bloom's "Day in, Day Out." Horace Silver Trio offers a solid portrait of the pianist before the Jazz Messengers, and shows that his style — rhythmic, spunky, and filled with clever flourishes — was intact before the birth of his famous band. This hard-bopping album serves as a fine introduction to Silver and Blakey. ~ Ronnie Lankford, Jr., Rovi