Caravan

by Art Blakey & the Jazz Messengers, Art Blakey

Overview

By the time that jazz icon/bandleader/percussionist Art Blakey and his Jazz Messengers began recording for Riverside in the fall of 1962, Blakey had already been the spiritual center of the group for nearly 15 years. The unprecedented caliber of performers who had already passed through the revolving-door personnel reads like a who's who of 20th century jazz. On Caravan -- his first of several notable sides for the venerable label -- he is joined by a quintet of concurrent and future all-stars. Likewise, it could be argued that each has never again been presented in such a fresh or inspired setting as on these recordings. In order to establish with any authority just how heavy (even for purveyors of hard bop) the players in this band are, they need only to be named: Curtis Fuller (trombone), Freddie Hubbard (trumpet), Wayne Shorter (tenor sax), Cedar Walton (piano), and Reggie Workman (bass). 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," which can be heard on the Impulse release Artistry of Freddie Hubbard and was recorded earlier the same year. Coincidentally, that disc also features Curtis Fuller as well as a rare non-Sun Ra-related appearance from John Gilmore (tenor sax). 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. The 2001 20-bit remaster from Fantasy contains two bonus tracks: take four of "Sweet 'n' Sour" and take two of "Thermo." This release can be considered definitive Blakey, bop, and Jazz Messengers. ~ Lindsay Planer

Product Details

Release Date:	03/01/2024
Label:	Craft Recordings
UPC:	0888072556270
Rank:	22253

Tracks

1. Caravan
2. Sweet 'N' Sour
3. In The Wee Small Hours Of The Morning
4. This Is For Albert
5. Skylark
6. Thermo

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Art Blakey & the Jazz Messengers   Primary Artist
Art Blakey   Primary Artist,Drums
Randy Bernsen   Primary Artist
The Jazz Messengers   Primary Artist
Herbie Hancock   Guest Artist
Jaco Pastorius   Guest Artist
Peter Erskine   Guest Artist
Urszula Dudziak   Guest Artist
Bob James   Guest Artist
Curtis Fuller   Trombone
Cedar Walton   Piano
Freddie Hubbard   Trumpet
Reggie Workman   Bass
Wayne Shorter   Sax (Tenor)

Technical Credits

Orrin Keepnews   Audio Production,Producer,Liner Notes,Reissue Producer
Chris Clough   Project Assistant
Duke Ellington   Composer
Joe Tarantino   Annotation,Remastering
Stuart Kremsky   Project Assistant
Zev Feldman   Project Assistant
Hoagy Carmichael   Composer
Freddie Hubbard   Composer
Bob Parent   Photography
Chuck Stewart   Cover Photo
Ken Deardoff   Cover Design
Larissa Collins   Art Direction
David A. Mann   Composer
Abbey Anna   Project Assistant
Rikka Arnold   Editorial
Burt Goldblatt   Photography
Steve Schapiro   Photography
Cheryl Pawelski   Project Assistant
Irving Mills   Composer
Ira Gitler   Liner Notes
Bob Hilliard   Composer
David Mann   Composer
Ray Fowler   Engineer
Nick Phillips   Project Supervisor
Juan Tizol   Composer
Johnny Mercer   Composer
Wayne Shorter   Composer