Art Blakey

Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers - Roots & Herbs (1970/2013) [Official Digital Download 24bit/192kHz]

Art Blakey and The Jazz Messengers - Roots & Herbs (1970/2013)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/192 kHz | Time - 42:14 minutes | 1,82 GB
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/96 kHz | Time - 42:14 minutes | 998 MB
Studio Master, Official Digital Download | Artwork: Front cover

"Roots & Herbs" is a jazz album by Art Blakey & the Jazz Messengers, recorded in 1961 but not released on the Blue Note label until 1970. Like many titles in the Blue Note catalog, this fine Blakey outing was initially shelved by Alfred Lion for unknown reasons, but now that it's out once again with a 24-bit digital makeover, "Roots & Herbs" is definitely a welcome addition to the drum master's catalog.
Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers - Complete Studio Recordings (Remastered) (2013)

Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers - Complete Studio Recordings (Remastered) (2013)
EAC Rip | FLAC (tracks, cue, log) - 2.2 GB | MP3 CBR 320 kbps - 858 MB
6:12:23 | Jazz, Hard Bop | Label: Jazz Dynamics

EU-only five CD collection. The Jazz Messengers featuring Lee Morgan on trumpet, Wayne Shorter on tenor sax, Bobby Timmons on piano, Jymie Merritt on bass, and the leader Art Blakey on drums, were one of the most remarkable small groups in jazz history. This deluxe edition comprises all of the studio recordings by that legendary formation newly re-mastered and in chronological order, including all of their Blue Note sessions and their only Impulse date, with Curtis Fuller added on trombone. Presented here are the complete contents (plus all known alternate songs and takes) from the following original albums: THE BIG BEAT, LIKE SOMEONE IN LOVE, a NIGHT IN TUNISIA, PISCES, ROOTS AND HERBS, THE WITCH DOCTOR, THE FREEDOM RIDER, and JAZZ MESSENGERS!!!!!

Art Blakey - Holiday for Skins (1958) [Reissue 2006]  Music

Posted by gribovar at June 2, 2020
Art Blakey - Holiday for Skins (1958) [Reissue 2006]

Art Blakey - Holiday for Skins (1958) [Reissue 2006]
EAC Rip | FLAC (tracks+.cue+log) - 444 MB | MP3 CBR 320 kbps (LAME 3.93) - 167 MB | Covers (9 MB) included
Genre: Afro-Cuban Jazz, Hard Bop | RAR 3% Rec. | Label: Blue Note (0946 3 58290 2 0)

This 1958 release, recorded the same year as Art Blakey's canonical album Moanin', bears little resemblance to that more famous release. While the personnel on Holiday for Skins features some of the finest players of the hard bop era (including drummer Philly Joe Jones and trumpeter Donald Byrd), the music on the album draws its inspiration directly from African and Latin folk forms. This is especially evident on tracks like "The Feast" and "Aghano," which feature circular drum patterns and chanting from the bandmembers. Tunes like "Mirage," however, blend these exotic sounds with a more straightforward bop vocabulary, resulting in the set's most engaging moments. As one of the more adventurous dates from Blue Note's '50s period, Holiday for Skins is an intriguing listen.
Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers - 'S Make It (1964) Japanese Remastered 2002

Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers - 'S Make It (1964) Japanese Remastered 2002
EAC | FLAC | Tracks (Cue&Log) ~ 216 Mb | Mp3 (CBR320) ~ 81 Mb | Scans ~ 37 Mb
Bop, Hard Bop | Label: Limelight | # UCCM-9098 | Time: 00:35:32

This edition of Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers is an unusual one. The personnel includes Blakey veterans Lee Morgan (returning to the band after some success as a leader), Curtis Fuller, and Victor Sproles, along with John Hicks (who appeared on three other Blakey records) and the tenor saxophonist John Gilmore (of Sun Ra fame) in his only appearance with the band. As was typical of Blakey-led groups, the emphasis is on original material by its members; the one Broadway show tune included, "Faith," is from a long since forgotten I Had a Ball. Morgan's driving blues "'S Make It" is easily the highlight of the session, though Hicks' richly voiced "Waltz for Ruth" and Fuller's Latin-flavored "Little Hughie" also deserve to be better known than they are. It's a shame that this was the only recording by this particular lineup of the Jazz Messengers, as Gilmore's strong blowing complements Morgan very well.

Art Blakey - Blakey (1955) [Reissue 1999]  Music

Posted by gribovar at Aug. 23, 2022
Art Blakey - Blakey (1955) [Reissue 1999]

Art Blakey - Blakey (1955) [Reissue 1999]
EAC Rip | FLAC (tracks+.cue+log) - 250 MB | MP3 CBR 320 kbps (LAME 3.93) - 173 MB | Covers - 103 MB
Genre: Jazz, Bop, Hard Bop | RAR 3% Rec. | Label: Verve (314 538 634-2)

This compilation assembles some long unavailable bop sessions led by either Art Blakey or trumpeter Joe Gordon as a collectable Verve Elite Edition reissue CD. Blakey's quintet includes Gordon pianist Walter Bishop, Jr. and alto saxophonist Gigi Gryce, who composed most of the music. "Minority" has long since become a standard among boppers but "Salute To Birdland" is almost as good; the remaining tracks are quite as strong. Gordon's set leads off with Coleman Hawkins' well known riff tune "Rifftide; " Pianist Junior Mance provides Gordon with some strong backing and a young Charlie Rouse adds a spirited tenor sax solo. Gordon's playing is a little choppy on his tunes "Xochimilco" and "Evening Lights," while his lyrical take of "Body And Soul" is strangely backed by Blakey's tom toms. This is a mandatory acquisition for Blakey fans and those who enjoy bop.
Art Blakey And The Jazz Messengers - Moanin' (1958) [RVG Edition 1999]

Art Blakey And The Jazz Messengers - Moanin' (1958) [RVG Edition 1999]
EAC Rip | APE (image+.cue+log) - 341 MB | MP3 CBR 320 kbps (LAME 3.93) - 136 MB | Covers (18 MB) included
Genre: Jazz, Hard Bop | RAR 3% Rec. | Label: Blue Note (7243 4 95324 2 7)

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 Afro-Drum Ensemble - The African Beat (1962) {Blue Note}

Art Blakey And The Afro-Drum Ensemble - The African Beat (1962) {Blue Note}
EAC 1.0b4 | FLAC tracks | Cue+Log+M3U | Full Scans 300dpi | 274MB + 5% Recovery
MP3 CBR 320 Kbps | 102MB + 5% Recovery
Genre: Jazz, Ethnic Fusion, Afrobeat

While not a universally praised piece of the Art Blakey discography, The African Beat is quite engaging. Yusef Lateef is the only horn player, featured on oboe, flute, tenor sax, cow horn, and thumb piano with Ahmed Abdul-Malik on bass, but trombonist Curtis Fuller is only heard playing tympani – it was that kind of session. The drum ensemble includes Chief Bey, along with five other percussionists on conboro, log, and bata drums with penny whistles, gongs, congas, and African maracas. This is reminiscent of Lateef's more exotic sessions from the same time period, but quite unlike other Blue Note releases from the early '60s.

Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers - Just Coolin' (2020)  Music

Posted by delpotro at Nov. 2, 2020
Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers - Just Coolin' (2020)

Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers - Just Coolin' (2020)
EAC Rip | FLAC (tracks+log+.cue) - 281 Mb | MP3 CBR 320 kbps - 96 Mb | 00:39:02
Jazz, Hard Bop | Label: Blue Note Records

Blue Note will issue a never-before-released studio album by Art Blakey & the Jazz Messengers, Just Coolin’, on 17 July. It was recorded on 8 March 1959 in the Hackensack, New Jersey studio of feted recording engineer Rudy Van Gelder.
Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers With Thelonious Monk (1958) Japanese Remastered Reissue 2006

Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers With Thelonious Monk (1958) Japanese Remastered 2006
EAC | FLAC | Tracks (Cue&Log) ~ 393 Mb | Mp3 (CBR320) ~ 178 Mb | Scans included
Bop, Hard Bop | Label: Atlantic/Warner Music Japan | # WPCR-25112 | Time: 01:04:37

Most of the titles on this album are derived from Thelonious Monk's vast catalog of bop standards. Both co-leaders are at the peak of their respective prowess with insightful interpretations of nearly half a dozen inspired performances from this incarnation of the Blakey-led Jazz Messengers. This combo features Art Blakey (drums), Johnny Griffin (tenor sax), Bill Hardman (trumpet), and Spanky Debrest (bass).
Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers With Thelonious Monk (1958) [Re-Up]

Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers With Thelonious Monk (1958)
EAC | FLAC | Image (Cue&Log) ~ 246 Mb | Mp3 (CBR320) ~ 110 Mb | Scans included
Hard Bop, Bop | Label: Atlantic Jazz | # 1278-2 | Time: 00:44:20

Most of the titles on this album are derived from Thelonious Monk's vast catalog of bop standards. Both co-leaders are at the peak of their respective prowess with insightful interpretations of nearly half a dozen inspired performances from this incarnation of the Blakey-led Jazz Messengers. This combo features Art Blakey (drums), Johnny Griffin (tenor sax), Bill Hardman (trumpet), and Spanky Debrest (bass). Immediately, Hardman ups the ante with a piledriving lead during "Evidence" that underscores the heavy-hitting nature of this particular jazz confab. Monk counters with some powerful and inspired runs that are sonically splintered by the enthusiastic – if not practically percussive – chord progressions and highly logistic phrasings from the pianist. The inherent melodic buoyancy on "In Walked Bud" contains a springboard-like quality, with Griffin matching Monk's bounce measure for measure.