OPEN VAULTS FROM IMPULSE!!!

Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers
Art Blakey!!!!!Jazz Messenger!!!!!/A Jazz Message
Impulse! Records
www.umusic.com
By George W. Harris

Impulse has finally opened up its vaults with a vengeance. They are releasing a surfeit of their more obscure material on a two album on one release format, a bargain in this age of Obamanomics. This one features the short lived tenure of Art Blakey’s band on the label, and finds him in inspired form.

Jazz Messenger!!!!! Is a 1961 date with one of Blakey’s most formidable teams: Wayne Shorter/ts, Lee Morgan/tp, Bobby Timmons/p and Jymie Merrit/b, who sizzle like the grill at Tommy’s Burgers on tunes like “Alamode.” Shorter is as sweet as onions and chilli on “Gee Baby Ain’t I Good To You” while Lee is as tasty as a Beefsteak tomato on “I Hear A Rhapsody.” The rhythm section is as crisp as a toasted bun throughout, making this session a gastronomic delight.

The 1963 session is indeed a rare delight, as Blakey not only pares it down to a quartet, but an all star one at that. Sonny Stitt handles the tenor and alto, while McCoy Tyne and Richard Davis complete the infield that handles standards like “Summertime” like an air tight infield. Stitt is hotter than a pistol as he show’s his Lester Young influence on “Café” and his ornithological leanings on “The Song Is You.” A real treat, and definitely a keeper.