Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers – Roots and Herbs: Tone Poet Series (180g Vinyl LP)

How is it that one of Art Blakey’s greatest albums with the Jazz Messengers is so little known? The 1961 edition of the Messengers included Lee Morgan on trumpet, Wayne Shorter on tenor saxophone, Bobby Timmons on piano, and Jymie Merritt on bass. In February and May of 1961, this group (with pianist Walter Davis Jr. sitting in on two tracks) entered Rudy Van Gelder’s studio in New Jersey and proceeded to lay down Roots & Herbs, a brilliant set of six Shorter compositions including the driving hard bop of the title track, the playful “Ping Pong,” and the clever “United.” The album was eventually released in 1970 and deserves a place among Blakey’s finest recordings.

Musicians:
Art Blakey, drums
Wayne Shorter, tenor saxophone
Lee Morgan, trumpet
Bobby Timmons / Walter Davis Jr., piano
Jymie Merritt, bass

Features:
• Blue Note Tone Poet Series
• Curated by Music Matters co-founder Joe Harley
• Audiophile-quality 180g vinyl LP
• All-analog mastering (direct from the master tapes) by Kevin Gray
• Manufactured at Record Technology Incorporated
• Deluxe gatefold jacket packaging

1. Ping Pong
2. Roots and Herbs
3. The Back Sliders
4. United
5. Look at the Birdie
6. Master Mind