CiTR

This album was only issued this year but was actually recorded in March of 1959 by a great edition of Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers. It was forgotten and never issued because not long after this date Blakey got a 2 week gig at Birdland, then New York's leading Jazz club and it was decided to record there rendering this session moot. The session was forgotten. The live date at Birdland produced 2 fine albums called "Art Blakey and The Jazz Messengers at The Jazz Corner of the World". However the music on this previously unissued and forgotten session was superb and only recorded a month earlier by the same band. Art Blakey of course is on drums with Lee Morgan on trumpet who was having an amazing day! Bobby Timmons is on piano and Jymie Merritt is on bass. Tenor saxophonist Hank Mobley had returned to the band (he was in the 1st edition of The Jazz Messengers from 1954 to 1956). Hank is in energetic form and is breaking in a new metal mouthpiece that he used for the rest of his career. The music on this studio date has an edge and most of the tunes were new ones added to the Messenger repertoire. Four of the six tunes were on the aforementioned live date and two are only heard here. One is by Bobby Timmons, a fast burner called "Quick Trick" and the other might have been written by Timmons or bassist Merritt called "Jimerick". The others are by Hank Mobley....."Hipsippy Blues", "M&M", and the title track "Just Coolin'". The remaining tune is a standard called "Close Your Eyes" The energy and swing on this record is amazing and I'm happy it was finally issued and I hope you are too!