Another lost Blakey recording, but this time a reissue of the original issue that came out in 1970. As you should expect, this is a tough-as-nails hard bop recording from probably Blakey's finest group. All tracks written by Wayne Shorter, and given the soulful treatment you'd expect. Now it gets the proper treatment it deserves; analog remaster, 180gm, and a beautiful tip-on gatefold.
"One Art Blakey's greatest albums with the Jazz Messengers, Roots & Herbs, is little known. In 1961, the group featured Lee Morgan (trumpet), Wayne Shorter (tenor sax), Bobby Timmons (piano) and Jymie Merrit (bass). Recorded in Rudy Van Gelder's New Jersey studio, it's a brilliant set of six Shorter compositions, like the playful "Ping Pong" and the clever "United." It's among Blakey's finest."