Perhaps the best known and most loved of Art Blakey's works, The Big Beat is a testament to the creative progress of one of the best jazz drummers of all time. Now more than 40 years old, The Big Beat is as thunderous as ever. Here, Blakey combines his rhythm with tenor saxophonist Wayne Shorter's brilliant composing to make what could only be termed a "structurally raw" album.
Each track rips through bebop as quickly as Blakey ripped through drum heads. "Dat Dere" and "Lester Left Town" stand out as part of the true canons for hot jazz. Two alternate versions of "It's Only a Paper Moon" round out the album, both brimming with the fluid integrity of the song and the drive only Blakey could provide. As one of the few drummers to step out and lead, not just play backup, Blakey created a true jazz treasure in The Big Beat.
The XRCD-24 bit Super Analog disc represents JVC's continuing commitment to the pursuit of digital audio perfection. XRCD offers clearer definition, more accurate imaging, and higher audio quality than any compact disc before.
Tracklist:
1 The Chess Players 9:35
2 Sakeena's Vision 6:04
3 Politely 6:03
4 Dat Dere 8:46
5 Lester Left Town 6:24
6 It's Only A Paper Moon 6:39
7 It's Only A Paper Moon (Alternate Take) 6:16
Bass – Jymie Merritt
Drums – Art Blakey
Piano – Bobby Timmons
Tenor Saxophone [Tenor Sax] – Wayne Shorter
Trumpet – Lee Morgan
Recording information:
Title: The Big Beat
Artist: Art Blakey, The Jazz Messengers
Genre: Jazz
Media: 1x XRCD24 CD Stereo , , . Digibook, Playable on all CD player
Label: Blue Note
Cat#: AWMXR-0020
Released: 2013 in US
Original release: 1960 by Blue Note 84029
EAN: 693692200201
Discogs rel.#: 8164456
