Art Blakey and The Jazz Messengers: Free for All
Blue Note – BST 84170
Is this the best Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers? That’s a hard question, of course. However, to my ears, the answer is yes. Well, until I listen to other Blakey and TJM recordings by his 1958-1964 groups.
The eleven-minute title track, composed by Wayne Shorter, has a rhythmic groove and a piano sound that bring memories of McCoy Tyner and Coltrane’s greatest quartet of the day. Powerful, soulful, hard bop. Outstanding music making throughout. Very highly recommended.
Recorded: February 10, 1964
Released: July 1965
Recording Venue: Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, USA
Engineer: Rudy van Gelder
Musicians:
Art Blakey – Drums
Freddie Hubbard – Trumpet
Curtis Fuller – Trombone
Wayne Shorter – Tenor saxophone
Cedar Walton – Piano
Reggie Workman – Bass
My copies:
- Label: Music Matters Jazz MMBST-84170
Format: Vinyl, 12”, 45 RPM, 180 gm LP, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered, Numbered, Stereo
Released: September 1, 2012
- Label: EMI Toshiba Japan BST 84170
Format: Vinyl, 12”, 33 1/3 RPM, LP, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo
Released: April 26, 1991
Listen to Free of All