1. Art Blakey And The Jazz Messengers - In My Prime - Inner Ocean Records
  2. Art Blakey And The Jazz Messengers - In My Prime - Inner Ocean Records

Art Blakey And The Jazz Messengers

In My Prime

Regular price $21.99
Label: Tidal Wave Music
Catalog:  TWM87
Release Notes
  • Released exclusively for Record Store Day 2022 and available in participating stores on JUNE 18, 2022 (RSD DROP DATE).
  • Limited 180g DOUBLE Vinyl Edition (2500 copies) with obi strip & sleeve notes
  • The complete “In My Prime” NYC sessions
  • Recorded at the CI Studios NYC in December 1977
  • Featuring an all-star line-up

    Art Blakey (1919–1990) actually needs little introduction, the American Jazz drummer and bandleader made a name for himself in the 1940s & 1950s playing with contemporaries such as Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Parker. He is often considered to have been Thelonious Monk’s most empathetic drummer (he played on both Monk’s first recording session in 1947 and his final one in 1971). In the decades that followed Blakey recorded for all THE labels that mattered in the field of jazz (Columbia, Blue Note, Atlantic, RCA, Impulse!, Riverside, Prestige, Verve, etc.). His collaborations were numerous and include working with equally legendary artists such as Sonny Rollins, Max Roach, Chet Baker, John Coltrane….and countless others.

    Art Blakey was a major figure and a pioneer for modern jazz, he assumed an aggressive swing drumming style early on in his career and is known as one of the inventors of the modern bebop style of drumming. His signature polyrhythmic style was amazing, exuding power and originality, creating a dark cymbal sound punctuated by frequent loud snare and bass drum accents in triplets or cross-rhythms. A loud and domineering drummer…but Blakey also listened and responded to the others in the band. He was an original, an important drummer you’d hear…and would recognize immediately.

    Art Blakey was inducted into the Downbeat Jazz Hall of Fame (1981), the Modern Drummer Hall of Fame (1991), the Grammy Hall of Fame (1998 and 2001) and was awarded the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award posthumously in 2005. He was sampled and remixed by renowned acts such as Raekwon, Black Eyed Peas, A Tribe Called Quest, Digable Planets, Buscemi, KRS-One and Madlib.

    In the mid-1950s he and Horace Silver formed ‘The Jazz Messengers’: a group that Blakey would perform and record with for the next 35 years. Originally formed as a collective of contemporaries…but over the years the band became known as an incubator for young talent that included artists such as Freddie Hubbard, Wayne Shorter, Cedar Walton, Chuck Mangione, John Hicks…and MANY others. Art Blakey went on to record dozens of albums with a constantly changing group of Jazz Messengers. Blakey’s final performances were in July 1990. He died on October 16 of lung cancer. The legacy of Art Blakey and his band is not only the music they produced, but also the opportunities they provided for several generations of jazz musicians.

    On the album we are presenting you today, you’ll find the eight sublime tracks recorded by renowned engineer Elvin Campbell at the CI Recording Studios (New York) in December 1977 that became known as the “In My Prime” sessions. These recordings were originally released on the legendary Dutch jazz label Timeless Records (and produced by its owner Wim Wigt) as two separate albums named Vol.1 & Vol.2.

    As the leader of The Jazz Messengers (for over 22 years at the time of these recordings), drummer Art Blakey was still discovering new talent. In addition to altoist Bobby Watson (John Hicks, Charles Mingus), trumpeter Valery Ponomarev (Blue Note), bassist Dennis Irwin (Art Farmer), percussionist Ray Mantilla (Herbie Mann, Max Roach), Curtis Fuller (Quincy Jones, John Coltrane) on trombone and David Schnitter (Freddie Hubbard, Charles Earland) on tenor, this particular session also introduced the great pianist James Williams (Donald Byrd, Dizzy Gillespie) to the fold.

    Despite the changes in musical fashions taking place at that particular period, Blakey and his hard-bop institution kept turning out new material and solos in the late 70s that still sound fresh, vibrant and alive today. The album showcases the Messengers’ energetic signature sound with remarkable style, musical knowledge, a dash of good humor and camaraderie you’d expect from a world class band and its leader. Expect supercharged hard bop with striking notes, no-holds-barred musicianship, high swinging solos, screaming choruses and plenty of solid virtuosity to spare. This release is not only a classic but also a bonafide hit and a must have for any self-respecting jazz fan or collector.

    Tidal Waves Music now proudly presents the much-needed vinyl reissue of “Art Blakey and The Jazz Messengers “In My Prime” which contains the complete NYC sessions recorded at the CI Recording Studios (New York) on December 29, 1977.

    This unique album comes as a deluxe 180g DOUBLE vinyl edition (strictly limited to 2500 copies worldwide) with obi strip and is packaged in a gatefold jacket featuring the original artworks and session shots from Mark Bug Zester, Don Diesveld & Hans Harzheim (known for their work with artists such as Sun Ra, Chet Baker and Pharoah Sanders). To top it all off, this release also includes the original liner notes written by renowned author and producer Chip Stern (Ginger Baker, Thelonious Monk and Miles Davis). Released exclusively for Record Store Day 2022 and available in participating stores on June 18, 2022.

    Customer Reviews

    Overall rating: 4.8 / 5 from 269 reviews.

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    Customer photo review of Makoto Matsushita - First Light (Japan Import)

    It was packaged perfectly! Everything that it came in was great, too! HOWEVER, the page for this product does have a preview of all the songs ASSUMED to come with the album. This is not the case. This album comes with everything EXCEPT: September Rain (English Version) With the previews available, I thought it'd be there. I was apparently missinformed. That is the ONE AND ONLY issue I have with my purchase. I wish they gave you the EXACT track list on the webpage. But like I said, that'd the only issue I had. Everything else was great.

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    I've been looking for an original copy of this album for a while at a price and quality that I was happy with. I was thrilled to find this on your website and couldn't pass up the opportunity to support you and support my unhealthy collection.

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    This album is truly fantastic. I have the cassette as well, it's so dynamic and interesting to listen to on both the turntable and in my case the player with headphones! blips is also just a very talented artist and incredibly kind person, sent me a short to make up for the shipping delay with the vinyl. I can't say enough nice things about inner ocean and the artists on here. Interesting work from very talented people, great deals on buying multiple tapes and records, professional and kind customer service, I've honestly never had a bad transaction from inner ocean and I look forward to my next purchase! Thanks all!

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    Shipped promptly, arrived quickly, and was in good condition. I played it and it sounded great. Perfect transaction. What more could I ask for??

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    Customer photo review of tiny.blips - juicy curveballs: beat tape

    Most beautiful cassettes on earth as always. Every Inner Ocean release is an instant classic and everything I’ve ever ordered (cassettes, vinyl, merch) always comes quick and very well packaged. Best record label out!

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    Customer photo review of Casiopea - Mint Jams (Japan Import)

    Absolutely PHENOMENAL transaction, adding a piece of Casiopea history to my collection. Shipped fast, packed well, and Always a pleasure to do business with. Not my first Inner Ocean order, and FAR from my last! Again, many thanks to the IO crew!

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    Customer photo review of Lofi Snacks Series 2

    This is my first entry into the Lofi Snacks series after bumbling into the Inner Ocean label on Bandcamp and looking up their website. And my, what can I say other than it has been a delight! Really fresh vibey beats that sound great digitally on on my desk cassette player. The art is also fantastic and I love the print on the cassette itself. I've had this album on repeat since it arrived Monday. Look forward to exploring more of the Inner Ocean catalogue.

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    Store owner replied: What a solid selection! (pun intended) Thanks so much for supporting our store!

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