If there is one thing that drove Art Blakey's spirit, it was his passion for the drums. African Beat album His desire for the drums to speak to the world was his lifelong mission. THE AFRICAN BEAT, like his other drum-centric ensemble recordings, is a testament to the power and beauty of the common language of the drum and, specifically, its African roots. Included here is a massive group of African percussionists led by Blakey, Chief Bey, and Montego Joe along with world musician Solomon G. Ilori, woodwind master Yusef Lateef, and bassist Ahmed Abdul-Malik.
The amalgam of percussion instruments is too numerous to fathom as a constant, primal groove, punctuated by otherworldly chants, soaring winds, and animal-like shrieks creates a hypnotizing atmosphere. The vast textures and cultures that the music summons into a listener's environment transports one to the distant land that Blakey knew so well. Indeed, with this recording, we can touch the passion of the man who brought such power to the modern drum in American jazz from its African origins.
Digitally remastered using 24-bit technology by Nat Hentoff.
Recorded at the Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey on January 24, 1962. Originally released on Blue Note (84097). Includes liner notes by Nat Hentoff.
Reissue producer: Michael Cuscuna.
Personnel: Art Blakey (drums, snare drum, timpani, percussion, gong); Solomon G. Illori (vocals, pennywhistle, drums, talking drum); Yusef Lateef (flute, oboe, tenor saxophone, horns, piano); Chief Bey (drums, congas, gong); Montego Joe (drums, log drum, percussion, gong); Garvin Masseaux (congas, maracas, percussion); Chief Bay, James Ola. Folami, Robert Crowder (congas, percussion); Curtis Fuller (timpani).
Liner Note Author: Nat Hentoff.
Recording information: New York, NY (01/24/1962); VAn Gelder Studio, Englewood Cl (01/24/1962).
Personnel: Art Blakey (drums, tympani, telegraph drum, gong); Solomon Ilori (vocals, penny whistle, talking drum); Yusef Lateef (tenor saxophone, flute, oboe, cow horn, thumb piano); Ahmed Abdul-Malik (bass); Curtis Fuller (tympani); Chief Bey (congas, telegraph drum, double gong); Robert Crowder (congas, bata drum); Garvin Masseaux (congas, chekere, African maracas); James Ola Folami (congas); Montego Joe (bambara drum, corboro drum, log drum, double gong).
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