Clifford Brown and Max Roach (1955)

Clifford Brown's golden, round trumpet tone and effortless articulation set a high-water mark for hard bop brass. In partnership with Max Roach's crisp, melodic drumming, the quintet's Joy Spring and Daahoud, both Brown originals, sparkle with invention and speed while staying warm enough for anyone to follow. Brown died in a car crash in 1956, aged 25, which makes this run of records all the more precious.