This edition of
Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers is an unusual one. The personnel includes
Blakey veterans
Lee Morgan (returning to the band after some success as a leader),
Curtis Fuller, and
Victor Sproles, along with
John Hicks (who appeared on three other
Blakey records) and the tenor saxophonist
John Gilmore (of
Sun Ra fame) in his only appearance with the band. As was typical of
Blakey-led groups, the emphasis is on original material by its members; the one Broadway show tune included, "Faith," is from a long since forgotten I Had a Ball.
Morgan's driving blues "'S Make It" is easily the highlight of the session, though
Hicks' richly voiced "Waltz for Ruth" and
Fuller's Latin-flavored "Little Hughie" also deserve to be better known than they are. It's a shame that this was the only recording by this particular lineup of
the Jazz Messengers, as
Gilmore's strong blowing complements
Morgan very well. ~ Ken Dryden