Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers - Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers (1961/2017) Hi Res

More Curtis Fuller, this time fast forward to 1961. An early Impulse catalogue number A-7, released by HMV for the UK market with no distinguishing title except “Art Blakey and his Jazz Messengers”. After Blakey’s flirtation with Europe and Barney Wilen on tenor, a revamped Jazz Messengers with Wayne Shorter firmly in the saxophone seat, Blakey freshens up the line up by adding Curtis Fuller on trombone, and a heady mixture it makes. Just when you think: “Do I really need yet another Art Blakey album?” this comes along and suprises you. It’s good stuff, as always.

An absolutely wonderful 1961 set from Blakey and company, who demonstrate here how to be note-perfect without leeching away the emotion of a performance. Aside from Blakey's divine drum work, the standouts include Jaymie Merritt's trippy bass fingerwork and Wayne Shorter blowing his heart out on tenor sax.