Art Blakey And The Jazz Messengers Hard Bop

The second of two CDs that reissue the music from three Art Blakey LPs plus additional material (reshuffling the order to make it more logical), this set features trumpeter Woody Shaw, Carter Jefferson on tenor and soprano, Cedar Walton on keyboards, bassist Mickey Bass, Tony Waters on congas and the drummer/leader plus three guests: guitarist Michael Howell, trombonist Steve Turre and (on "Moanin"' and "Along Came Betty"), singer Jon Hendricks. Shaw is in excellent form and Blakey propels and inspires his sidemen as usual. In addition to the two vocals, the nine instrumentals (which had originally been divided between the LPs Buhaina and Athenagin) are consistently swinging and well worth hearing.

Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers of 1959 were hitting their full stride, as trumpeter Lee Morgan joined the fold with tenor saxophonist Hank Mobley, the reliable pianist Bobby Timmons and steady bassist Jymie Merritt…

Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers of 1959 were hitting their full stride, as trumpeter Lee Morgan joined the fold with tenor saxophonist Hank Mobley, the reliable pianist Bobby Timmons and steady bassist Jymie Merritt…

Taken from the same sessions that resulted in A Night in Tunisia, this fine CD features the 1960 version of The Jazz Messengers starring trumpeter Lee Morgan, tenor saxophonist Wayne Shorter and pianist Bobby Timmons. The title cut is the most impressive performance, but this excellent program of high-quality hard bop also allows listeners to hear three obscure Wayne Shorter compositions and Lee Morgan's forgotten "Johnny's Blue."

Moanin' includes some of the greatest music Blakey produced in the studio with arguably his very best band. There are three tracks that are immortal and will always stand the test of time. The title selection is a pure tuneful melody stewed in a bluesy shuffle penned by pianist Bobby Timmons, while tenor saxophonist Benny Golson's classy, slowed "Along Came Betty" and the static, militaristic "Blues March" will always have a home in the repertoire of every student or professional jazz band. "Are You Real?" has the most subtle of melody lines, and "Drum Thunder Suite" has Blakey's quick blasting tom-tom-based rudiments reigning on high as the horns sigh, leading to hard bop…

Art Blakey And The Jazz Messengers - In My Prime Vol. 2 (1977) {2015 Japan Timeless Jazz Master Collection Complete Series}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 270 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 99 Mb
Full Artwork @ 600 dpi (png) -> 245 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1977, 2015 Timeless Records / Solid Records Japan / Ultra-Vibe | CDSOL-6366
Jazz / Hard Bop / Drums

Reissue with the latest remastering. Features original cover artwork. Comes with a descripton in Japanese. Leader of The Jazz Messengers at the time of this recording for over 22 years, drummer Art Blakey was still discovering new talent. In addition to altoist Bobby Watson, trumpeter Valeri Ponomarev and David Schnitter on tenor, this particular session introduced the great pianist James Williams to The Messenger fold. Despite the changes in musical fashions, Art Blakey and his hard-bop institution were still turning out new material and solos in the late '70s that sound fresh and alive today.

Art Blakey And The Jazz Messengers - In My Prime Vol. 1 (1977) {2015 Japan Timeless Jazz Master Collection Complete Series}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 286 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 100 Mb
Full Artwork @ 600 dpi (png) -> 247 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1977, 2015 Timeless Records / Solid Records Japan / Ultra-Vibe | CDSOL-6365
Jazz / Hard Bop / Drums

Reissue with the latest remastering. Features original cover artwork. Comes with a descripton in Japanese. Leader of The Jazz Messengers at the time of this recording for over 22 years, drummer Art Blakey was still discovering new talent. In addition to altoist Bobby Watson, trumpeter Valeri Ponomarev and David Schnitter on tenor, this particular session introduced the great pianist James Williams to The Messenger fold. Despite the changes in musical fashions, Art Blakey and his hard-bop institution were still turning out new material and solos in the late '70s that sound fresh and alive today.