Mosaic [Import, Original recording remastered]

Art Blakey, Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 25, 2000)
• Original Release Date: 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import, Original recording remastered
• Label: Blue Note Japan
• ASIN: B000055YGA
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,779,528 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Mosaic

2. Down Under

3. Children of the Night

4. Arabia

5. Crisis

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A truly great group's best album, August 23, 1998

By 

Leonard Gorsky (Grass Valley, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mosaic (Audio CD)

A list of Jazz Messengers alumni reads like a jazz Hall of Fame; Wynton Marsalis played With Art Blakey's group in 1980. In the Messengers' 35+ years of existence, this is arguably its finest incarnation and their most exciting album. Saxophonist Wayne Shorter, trumpeter Freddie Hubbard, trombonist Curtis Fuller, and Pianist Cedar Walton provide both distinctive compositions and emotional solos. Since the group has three horns, the two who aren't soloing are playing as an ensemble in the background giving the group a small 'big band' feel. Drummer Art never takes a self-indulgent solo; he is a solid, consistent presence. What sets this collection apart from others is the music. Each selection stands alone as a superior piece of writing that has been covered many times since this release. This recording was made in 1963 just before the individuals set out on their own respective roads.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Essential for all jazz collections and drummers., November 3, 2002

By 

Andy Williamson (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mosaic (Audio CD)

If you are just starting your jazz collection or you are a drummer looking for some new inspiration among the stale rock radio crowd, then getting Art Blakey's MOSAIC would be a good place to start. This is one in a series of tremendous albums Blakey did for Blue Note in the late 50's and early to mid 60's. And of all of his albums, this is one of the five essentials-not only for jazz collectors, but anyone who claims to have a well-rounded view of music.

MOSAIC provides ample inspiration for the drummer-check out his four minute drum solo in the title track; it's great. Blakey seemed to have a sixth sense for knowing just when and where to place the beat. He knew where to throw in a little low tom or some ride cymbal etc. Plus, he's proof that more drums don't make you a better drummer. The guy usually played with a four piece or, at most, five piece kit.

Listen to the beautiful piano intro with Art's steady cymbal work in "Down Under" -awesome! And then the horns kick in. Wow. THIS is some of the best jazz I've ever heard. In Ken Burns' film JAZZ, Blakey was quoted as saying that if his band didn't have the audience tapping their feet or nodding their heads they were doing something wrong. No complaints here. This tune is one of the high points of the album. The same goes for "Children of the Night" which contains AMAZINGLY gorgeous horn harmonies over an infectious piano vamp.

"Arabia" does indeed sound middle-eastern with the melodic horn line. And "Crisis" begins with a beautiful bass line which is then joined by Art and the pianist. Just great horn harmonies again. This album is such a treat to listen to. I recommend it highly along with BUHAINA'S DELIGHT, MOANIN, and MEET YOU AT THE JAZZ CORNER OF THE WORLD (LIVE). As an aside, I saw Wayne Shorter at the Chicago Jazz Festival this past summer, and I can assure you he has lost none of the fire that he so brilliantly brings forth on this recording.

Essential.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Epic Messengers, October 14, 2008

By 

Mark Twain (Wichita, KS) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Mosaic (Audio CD)

This is one of the most soulful, driving recordings I have ever heard, bar none. I first owned a copy of Mosaic upon being mercifully turned on to it by a couple of hip peers back in 1981. I went looking for it again recently upon having a jazz revival of sorts, and was thrilled to see it being offered in CD reissue. Folks, this is epic music not only in terms of Art Blakey and his many personnel configurations through time but in terms of the history of jazz music itself in America. Everyone should own a copy of this album at some point to hear the sheer propulsion, emotional penetration, waterfalling chords, bountiful melodic content, utterly towering musical abilities of the sidemen as well as Buhaina (Blakey) himself, and the overall presence of soul in this recording. The first reviewer must have had cotton swabs in his ears. This set of Messengers with the legendary Wayne Shorter of Weather Report, trumpeter Freddie Hubbard (Red Clay), Cedar Walton and Curtis Fuller is as good a jazz group as can be found anywhere in the history of the art and this particular musical session was one of Blakey's finest. Get it and enjoy.