Art Blakey Buhaina's Delight CD

When Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers expanded to a sextet with the addition of Curtis Fuller on trombone, the group took on the character of a small big band propelled by Blakey's forceful drumming. BUHAINA'S DELIGHT, another session in the long line of great Blue Note dates from this period, displays that classic line-up in pristine form. With Freddie Hubbard replacing Lee Morgan, Cedar Walton replacing Bobby Timmons and musical director Wayne Shorter, the Messengers were full of fresh sounds and vibrant with energy.

Uncharacteristically for a Messengers session, the relaxed shuffle "Backstage Sally" opens the disc in a laid back groove. Shorter's brilliant playing is featured prominently on this session on the delicate ballad "Contemplation" and many stunning solo spots. The title track (dubbed for Blakey's Islamic name, Buhaina) and a dynamic arrangement of the standard "Moon River" are excellent examples of the classic Messengers sound: challenging horn arrangements, expressive soloing and assertive drumming by the leader. Also included on this set are bonus takes of all but two of the original tunes. For any Messengers fan, this is a DELIGHTful package, indeed.

In 1961, Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers had expanded to a sextet, likely his most talented ensemble, and riding on the crest of tenor saxophonist Wayne Shorter's vibrant modern compositions and arrangements. This edition features four alternate tracks from a separate session, and all of the wit, verve, and drive that made this band singularly unique and special in the annals of mainstream post-bop jazz. With Freddie Hubbard, Curtis Fuller, Cedar Walton, Jymie Merritt, Shorter, and Blakey, this band is one of the more unstoppable sextets to ever roam the earth, and at this time was coming back from a successful European and Japanese tour, while also conquering the tough-nut Los Angeles nightclub scene. The joyous and sparse quality of "Shaky Jake" -- written by Walton -- with its head-nodding, infectious blues shuffle -- is so simple and refined that it has proven to be timeless. Blakey dictates the up and down dynamics of the similarly shuffled Shorter offering "Backstage Sally," a sweeter but no less direct melody line urged by Walton's precise piano. Where Walton is an accompanist, he is actually cementing the relationship of all the bandmembers, most notably on the rearrangement of "Moon River" with its start-stop attitude and repeat phrasings triggered by the pianist's cues. Fuller wrote "Bu's Delight," a typical but compelling hard bop piece spurred by Blakey's five- and seven-stroke rolls. Of Shorter's other compositions "Contemplation" is a thoughtful ballad accented by the saxophonist's bold, then settled phrases, "Reincarnation Blues" is an easy, albeit off-minor bop shuffle. Hubbard more than replaced trumpeter Lee Morgan, but supplanted him with a different fire and energy, plus a bolder perspective. This contrasted the introspective Shorter in a manner that made the daily sound of this combo unpredictable. During a very fruitful period, this version of the Jazz Messengers made three pivotal albums, including Three Blind Mice, Mosaic, and this exceptional effort, all deserving a place in any serious jazz lover's collection. ~ Michael G. Nastos

Additional Tracks

Liner Note Authors: Leonard Feather; Bob Blumenthal.

Recording information: Van Gelder Studios, Englewood Cliffs, NJ (11/28/1961/12/18/1961).

Photographer: Francis Wolff.

Personnel: Art Blakey (drums); Jymie Merritt (bass instrument); Wayne Shorter (tenor saxophone); Freddie Hubbard (trumpet); Curtis Fuller (trombone); Cedar Walton (piano).

Audio Remasterer: Rudy Van Gelder.