One of the finest pianists and composers of the hard bop era,Sonny Clarkseemed to arrive fully formed on his supremely swinging debut albumDial SforSonnyrecorded for Blue Note in 1957. Clark assembled a top-flight sextet for the occasion withArt Farmeron trumpet,Curtis Fulleron trombone,Hank Mobleyon tenor saxophone,Wilbur Wareon bass, andLouis Hayeson drums.Clarkpenned four of the albums six tunes including the moody, minor title piece, the bright, fleet-footed Bootin It, the feel-good theme Sonnys 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 withFarmerdelivering the opening theme andFullerclosing the piece, both with their warm, full-bodied tones, and the Gershwin tune Love Walked In which is a showpiece forClarkwho opens with a solo intro before being joined by bass and drums for a trio performance that lets his inventive style shine.