Max Roach - Max (1958)

Killer set of bop tracks recorded by Max and other New York bop heavy-hitters, like Hank Mobley and Kenny Dorham -- plus a guest appearance by Ramsey Lewis on piano, in one of his few non-Chicago, non -trio sides. The record's got that great kind of energy that Roach could hit when he really was kicking his group into gear -- and although the overall approach is mostly hard bop, there's plenty going on under the surface. Tracks include "CM", "Four X", "Crackle Hut", and "Speculate". (Hard-to-find Japanese pressing from the 1970s.)

Personnel:
Kenny Dorham, trumpet;
Hank Mobley, tenor sax;
Ramsey Lewis, piano;
George Morrow, bass;
Max Roach, drums

Tracks:
1. Crackle Hut - Marchall 5:47
2 Speculate - Dorham 4:59
3 That Ole Devil Love - Fisher, Roberts 6:26
4 Audio Blues - Roach 6:29
5 C.M. - Mobley 5:01
6 Four-X - Roach 3:57