Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers -|- Buhaina’s Delight – (The Rudy Van Gelder Edition)

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African American, Art Blakey, Drums, Jazz

Flux Classic Jazz Revisited

Each year during the month of June music fans and artists globally celebrate the influential sounds of “Black Music.” As a result, I’ve mulled over the idea long enough and found it essential to kick off a new series called “Classic Jazz Revisited.” Today, I’m honored pay homage to the legendary Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers and his 1961 Blue Note Records offering titled “Buhaina’s Delight.” As I see it, Blakey’s “Buhaina’s Delight” is the cornerstone of amazing recordings soon to follow by more great jazz musicians to be showcased each week at The Urban Flux. Of course, your input is an invaluable asset since you’re absolutely some of the most passionate jazz enthusiasts that I’ve had the pleasure to encounter. Thanks in advance and bless you for your time and generosity!

Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers - Buhaina's Delight

Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers -|- Buhaina’s Delight – [Blue Note, 1961] – (The Rudy Van Gelder Edition)

After a brief absence in the Blue Note catalog, I am delighted the label has reissued Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers‘ “Buhaina’s Delight” via the RVG series. Unfortunately, “Buhaina” (btw, it’s Blakey’s Muslim name) has too often sat in the shadow of “Mosaic.” And while it doesn’t quite hit the same fever pitch as its remarkable predecessor, it is a truly first rate modern jazz album. The same Messenger lineup of Freddie Hubbard on trumpet, Wayne Shorter on tenor sax, Curtis Fuller on trombone, Cedar Walton on piano and Jymie Merritt on bass return to accompany Art on the drums for these two sessions.

The band first went into the studio on November 28, 1961 to cut “Contemplation” and what became the album’s four alternate tracks. The group must not have been satisfied with the results because they returned to the studio three weeks later on December 18th to record “Shaky Jake,” and the eventual master takes of “Backstage Sally,” “Bu’s Delight,” “Reincarnation Blues” and “Moon River.” While the remakes are a bit tighter (particularly “Bu’s Delight”), the alternates are all very solid, and it is delightful to listen to the differences more than forty years removed. (Note, the same alternates were available on the earlier CD incarnation of this title, though thankfully in a new order so you don’t have to listen to “Moon River” back-to-back.) You too will be delighted (my last pun, I promise) when you have a chance to hear “Buhaina’s Delight” for yourself. —Michael B. Richman/Amazon.com

..:: Source: Amazon.com ::..

ALL-STAR COLLECTIVE ONE FOR ALL SET TO RELEASE INCORRIGIBLE ON JAZZ LEGACY PRODUCTIONS, APRIL 6

Tags

Art Blakey, Eric Alexander, Jazz, Jazz Legacy Productions

ALBUM SERVES AS LABEL DEBUT

One For All - Incorrigible

Their band name suggests the Three Musketeers of 17th century Paris — inseparable friends who lived by the motto “one for all, all for one” — though it’s probably more accurate to think of these six kindred spirits as the Rat Pack of jazz. Given their longevity, they might also be considered the Rolling Stones of jazz. After more than 13 years together as a working sextet, the members of the cooperative group One For All have forged an uncanny chemistry and camaraderie both on and off the bandstand. That indelible tightness and like-minded pursuit of swing is readily apparent on Incorrigible, the group’s 15th release overall and debut for Jazz Legacy Productions.