Miles Davis All Stars – Walkin' (OJC)

Miles Davis All Stars – Walkin’ (1957) is a cornerstone of hard bop, capturing Miles Davis in peak form as he shifts away from cool jazz into a more driving, blues-infused style. The title track is a 13-minute blues workout, full of swaggering horn lines and tight rhythm section interplay. With Horace Silver on piano, Percy Heath on bass, and Kenny Clarke on drums, the groove is locked in, while Davis, J.J. Johnson (trombone), and Lucky Thompson (tenor sax) trade sharp, expressive solos. Tracks like Blue ‘n’ Boogie showcase the band’s swing and energy. A must-listen, Walkin’ helped define the hard bop era with its blend of soulful blues and sophisticated improvisation.