Art Blakey And The Jazz Messengers

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."

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…

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.

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 - En concert avec Europe 1: Olympia, 13 May, 1961 (1993) {2CD Set, Trema 710373~374}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 881 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 360 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (jpg) -> 20 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1961, 1993 Trema / RTE | 710373/374
Jazz / Hard Bop

Art Blakey recorded prolifically during his long career, and one of his best editions of the Jazz Messengers featured Wayne Shorter, Bobby Timmons, Lee Morgan, and Jymie Merritt, the group present on this live two-CD set, which was recorded in 1961 at the Olympia in Paris. Since this concert originated from a taped broadcast, the sound is inferior to commercial live recordings made by Blakey for various U.S. labels, though it is a thoroughly enjoyable evening of music.

Art Blakey and The Jazz Messengers - Roots & Herbs (1961) {Blue Note Japan SHM-CD TYCJ-81094 rel 2014} (24-192 remaster)
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 471 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 147 Mb
Full Artwork @ 600 dpi (png) -> 247 Mb | 5% repair rar | 24-bit 192 kHz remaster
© 1961, 2014 Universal Japan / Blue Note | BN 75th The Masterworks | TYCJ-81094
Jazz / Hard Bop

New Remaster. Features the high-fidelity SHM-CD format (compatible with standard CD player) and the latest 24bit 192kHz remastering. A blinding session by Blakey! Truly one of his all-time great ones, and a record we've been putting on the turntable for 20 years, still always with new delight! The session was recorded in 1961 – when Blakey was working with Bobby Timmons, Lee Morgan, and Wayne Shorter (who's especially fantastic here!) For some incredibly odd reason, the session was not issued at the time – and only came out briefly at the end of the 60s. It's amazing, though – and features 6 stunning tracks that will forever restore your faith in jazz, even at your darkest moments. Includes "Ping Pong", "Roots & Herbs", "Master Mind", "Look At the Birdie", and "United".

Art Blakey And The Jazz Messengers - The Witch Doctor (1961) {Blue Note Japan SHM-CD TYCJ-81056 rel 2014} (24-192 remaster)
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 308 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 96 Mb
Full Artwork @ 600 dpi (png) -> 237 Mb | 5% repair rar | 24-bit 192 kHz remaster
© 1961, 2014 Universal Japan / Blue Note | BN 75th The Masterworks | TYCJ-81056
Jazz / Hard Bop

Features the high-fidelity SHM-CD format (compatible with standard CD player) and 24 bit remastering. One of our favorite albums ever from Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers – but a set that was unreleased by Blue Note for quite a few years! The set's one of two gems the group recorded in 1961, but which were held back until the end of the 60s – and it features a stellar version of the group with Wayne Shorter on tenor, Lee Morgan on trumpet, and Bobby Timmons on piano – all wonderful players who were really coming into their own at the time, and starting to bring a richness to the Messengers sound that would leave its mark in jazz for many years to come!

Art Blakey and The Jazz Messengers - Moanin' (1958) {2009 Analogue Productions DSD Remaster}
XLD rip | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 309 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 119 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (jpg) -> 13 Mb | 5% repair rar | DSD remaster
© 2009 Blue Note / Analogue Productions / EMI | CBNJ 84003 SA
Jazz / Hard Bop

Art Blakey's most successful album gave us Bobby Timmons' "Moanin'" and Benny Golson's "Along Came Betty" and "Blues March," tunes so powerful that Blakey played them almost every night for the next 30 years. This beautifully performed and recorded session made the Jazz Messengers a jazz institution and put Golson, Timmons and Morgan to the forefront of jazz.