Art Blakey And The Jazz Messengers - Album Of The Year (2015)

The 1981 edition of The Jazz Messengers featured more than its share of young greats (trumpeter Wynton Marsalis, altoist Bobby Watson, tenor saxophonist Billy Pierce, pianist James Williams and bassist Charles Fambrough), reinforcing drummer Art Blakey's recognition as jazz's greatest talent scout. This high-quality set, recorded in Paris, includes new material (highlighted by James Williams's "Soulful Mister Timmons"), Wayne Shorter's "Witch Hunt" and the Charlie Parker blues "Cheryl." ~ Scott Yanow