This CD is a sampler of
Art Blakey's 1956 recordings and will be frustrating for
Jazz Messengers' collectors. None of the eight selections were previously unissued and they are taken from three separate sessions, none of which are offered here complete. Four selections feature the
Art Blakey-
Horace Silver quintet during their final recording dates (including "Ecaroh" and "Carol's Interlude"), one has multi-instrumentalist
Ira Sullivan joining trumpeter Donald Byrd in the frontline and the remaining selections feature altoist
Jackie McLean and trumpeter
Bill Hardman. A good sampler for beginners, but
Blakey fans should try to acquire the complete sessions instead. ~ Scott Yanow