Response to the Rifftides post on hard bop has created a lively discussion. You can read the comments here. In addition to the Savoy CD called Hard Bop that was, more or less, the focus of the piece, the commenters mention or allude to other albums. If you’re thinking of expanding the hard bop (if there is such a thing) section of your library, or starting one, here are a few worthy candidates. Other nominations will be accepted in the “Comments” section. The links will take you to Amazon.com pages that in most cases provide audio samples.
The Adderley Brothers, The Summer of ’55 (Savoy)







I would add these three to the list:
Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers: Moanin’
http://www.amazon.com/Moanin-Art-Blakey-Jazz-Messengers/dp/B00000I8UF/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1233978904&sr=1-1
Lee Morgan: The Sidewinder
http://www.amazon.com/Sidewinder-Lee-Morgan/dp/B00000IL26/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1233979219&sr=1-1
Charles Mingus: Blues and Roots
http://www.amazon.com/Blues-Roots-Charles-Mingus/dp/B000002I4Q/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1233979287&sr=1-1
Though there is already a lot of Blakey on your list, Moanin’ is in my mind the quintessential hard bop tune.
(Those are fine additions. “Moanin’” is also on the Blakey Paris Olympia album, by the same Lee Morgan-Benny Golson-Bobby Timmons-Jymie Merritt edition of the Jazz Messengers — DR)