Couldn't get any better for drum enthusiasts
11/07/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This previously unreleased session from November 2, 1958 recorded at Manhattan Towers is a real joy. The legendary Art Blakey is joined by Lee Morgan on trumpet, Jymie Merritt on bass, and Bobby Timmons on piano from his Messengers of the period, and drummers Roy Haynes, and Joseph Rudolph Jones aka "Philly" Joe Jones and conga master Ray Barretto. Things get to a fast start with Charlie Parker's "Moose The Mooche" which has all the percussionists playing the melody! Lee Morgan, and Bobby Timmons have brief solos,and then the fireworks start. Ray Barretto solos briefly, and for the trap drummers Roy Haynes comes in first(on the left speaker) with crisp, crackling snare and rim shots, complimented by short, repetative phrases. Philly Joe(on the right speaker) is next with some of his trademark fire, followed by Art's(also on the right) bombshells. "Blakey's Blues" is more conventional in a sense as Morgan and Timmons really stretch out. The ensemble charges through "Let's Take 16 Bars" which starts with the drummers playing a common phrase, "Drums In The Rain" which brings memories of Art's predecessor drum ensemble record "Orgy In Rhythm" the previous year, and a very fast "Lover". Unlike "Orgy In Rhythm", "Drums Around the Corner" deserves merit because it is a more fully conceived date, as well as a more enjoyable one for hard bop enthusiasts. The recording quality is excellent, because of Rudy Van Gelder's familiarity w/ the Manhattan Towers studio(as Kenny Burrell's "Blue Lights", and Jimmy Smith's "The Sermon" were recorded there earlier that year) and Ron McMaster's 24 bit mastering job really brings the tonal qualities through, although RVG's original engineering has Morgan and Timmons farther back, and the drummers up front in the mix. Also included from another session in 1959 are 2 duets w/ Blakey and bassist Paul Chambers that are very interesting. Overall, drumming fans, as well as Blakey fans should enjoy this limited edition commodity. 3 of the 6 tunes from the 11/2/58 date run over 10 mins. resulting in over an hour of music If you want something similar in concept to "Orgy In Rhythm" but with a more straight ahead flavor, you will definitely want to obtain this. With "The African Beat" being released early next year, we get a view of Art Blakey as a creative master of the groove. And the dream pairing of Blakey, Philly Joe Jones, and Roy Haynes makes this too good to pass up."
Lee's Tune
C. Penland | 10/18/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"If Lee Morgan's "Lee's Tune" had been released 40 years ago instead of recently, it would have been huge. This is one of Blakey's 3 best albums and they didn't even release it while most of these cats were alive."