Blakey, Art & The Jazz Messengers Caravan CD

Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers: Art Blakey (drums); Wayne Shorter (tenor saxophone); Freddie Hubbard (trumpet); Curtis Fuller (trombone); Cedar Walton (piano); Reggie Workman (bass).

Digitally remastered using 20-bit K2 Super Coding System technology.

Yet another fabulous session by Art Blakey and his Jazz Messengers from the early '60s. CARAVAN was the Messengers' debut for Riverside during a time when they primarily recorded sessions for Alfred Lion's Blue Note label. This is the sextet version of the group, with Freddie Hubbard, Curtis Fuller, and Wayne Shorter forming one of the best front lines of all time. As usual, the band is the epitome of classic hard bop, with tight ensemble work, highly advanced arrangements, and powerful solos by all.

The group's impressive arrangement of Duke Ellington's "Caravan" opens the set with signature African drum grooves and solos from the leader. Music director Shorter contributes two original selections for the set; his swinging waltz "Sweet 'N' Sour" is offered in two takes, and the moving "This is For Albert" is, interestingly enough, a dedication to pianist Bud Powell. One of the group's strengths, of course, was their treatment of standards, and both "In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning" and "Skylark" receive beautiful readings here. Freddie Hubbard's classic "Thermo" gets two excellent takes to close the set in true Messengers fashion.

By the time that jazz icon/bandleader/percussionist Art Blakey and his Jazz Messengers began recording for Riverside in the fall of 1962, Blakey had already been the spiritual center of the group for nearly 15 years. The unprecedented caliber of performers who had already passed through the revolving-door personnel reads like a who's who of 20th century jazz. On Caravan -- his first of several notable sides for the venerable label -- he is joined by a quintet of concurrent and future all-stars. Likewise, it could be argued that each has never again been presented in such a fresh or inspired setting as on these recordings. In order to establish with any authority just how heavy (even for purveyors of hard bop) the players in this band are, they need only to be named: Curtis Fuller (trombone), Freddie Hubbard (trumpet), Wayne Shorter (tenor sax), Cedar Walton (piano), and Reggie Workman (bass). With Blakey (drums) firmly at the helm, these Jazz Messengers deliver a scintillating synergy that doesn't sacrifice intensity for the sake of cadence. The trademark give-and-take that graces the laid-back and sophisticated pop and jazz standards "Skylark" and "In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning" likewise is responsible for the palpable energy brought to the sizeable contributions from Shorter and Hubbard -- which make up half of the album's material. The title and leadoff track liquefies Duke Ellington's original arrangement and ignites it, fueling this extended fiery interpretation. Hubbard's fir

All tracks have been digitally remastered.

Recorded at Plaza Sound Studios, New York, New York on October 23 & 24, 1962. Originally released on Riverside (9438). Includes liner notes by Ira Gitler.

Full performer name: Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers.

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

Audio Remasterer: Joe Tarantino.

Liner Note Authors: Orrin Keepnews; Ira Gitler.

Recording information: Plaza Sound Studios, New York, NY (10/23/1962-10/24/1962).

Photographers: Steve Schapiro; Burt Goldblatt; Bob Parent.Q (Magazine) (p.133) - 4 stars out of 5 -- "This 1962 session is an excellent point of entry into band-leader and master drummer Blakey's world."