Charlie Parker: Now's The Time: The Genius Of Charlie Parker Vol. 3 (Verve By Request Series)

This 1957 release, the third in a series of albums expanding on Bird's 10” Clef releases from the early 1950's, Now's The Time boasts some of Parker's purest recordings and strongest playing, featuring two different quartets. His lyrical and fluid improvisations on cuts like “The Song Is You” and “Laird Baird” are on full display, prime examples of his unmatched genius.