En fantastisk upplaga av trumslagaren Art Blakeys Jazz Messengers: Freddie Hubbard tp, Curtis Fuller tb, Wayne Shorter ts, Cedar Walton p, Reggie Workman b. Digipac. *Två bonusspår, ej med på original-LP:n.


"...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 first solo harks back to his own recording of "Caravan,"....Blow for blow, however, this reading has more than just an edge -- it possesses the entire blade. The melody snakes in and out of Blakey's strident flurry of syncopation. Another highlight is Shorter's interjectory solo, recalling his ability to succeed John Coltrane in Miles Davis' coterie. Among the original compositions, Shorter's upbeat "Sweet 'n' Sour" stands out as the most cohesive and ensemble-driven, although the singular group dynamic is well applied to the lively "This Is for Albert" as well. By contrast, Hubbard's "Thermo" is more angular -- taking full advantage of the musicians' aggressive chops....This release can be considered definitive Blakey, bop, and Jazz Messengers." (Lindsay Planer, allmusic.com)
8 spår; speltid 51:37.

1. Caravan
2. Sweet ´n´ sour
3. In the wee small hours of the morning
4. This is for Albert
5. Skylark
6. Thermo
7. Sweet ´n´ sour (take 4)*
8. Thermo (take 2)*