"Roots & Herbs" is a jazz album by Art Blakey & the Jazz Messengers, recorded in 1961 but not released on the Blue Note label until 1970. Like many titles in the Blue Note catalog, this fine Blakey outing was initially shelved by Alfred Lion for unknown reasons, but now that it's out once again with a 24-bit digital makeover, "Roots & Herbs" is definitely a welcome addition to the drum master's catalog.

Blowing in from Chicago is an album by American jazz saxophonists Clifford Jordan and John Gilmore featuring performances recorded in 1957 and released on the Blue Note label. The Allmusic review by Scott Yanow awarded the album a 5 stars.

"A Night In Tunisia" is Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers’ 1960 classic. The ensemble which includes Lee Morgan, Wayne Shorter, Bobby Timmons, Jymie Merritt and Art Blakey is in exhilarating form. In the original liner notes by Barbara J. Gardner, she wrote: "This album is a prime example of Blakey's expressed desire to showcase his young talent. Not only is there extended solo room for the musicians; further, all but the title tune were written and arranged by the talented junior jazz citizens in his group". The recording features the standouts “A Night In Tunisia” and “Yama”. This is a vital addition to any music lover’s library.

"A Night at Birdland Vol. 1" is a 1954 release by jazz artist Art Blakey, and a quintet which featured Clifford Brown, Lou Donaldson, Horace Silver and Curly Russell. It was first released by Blue Note Records as a 10" LP (BLP 5037). This is definitive hard bop from Art Blakey's quintet.

"A Night at Birdland Vol. 2" is a 1954 release by jazz drummer Art Blakey, and a quintet which featured Clifford Brown, Lou Donaldson, Horace Silver and Curly Russell. It was first released by Blue Note Records as a 10" LP (BLP 5038). This is definitive hard bop from Art Blakey's quintet.

Originally released in 1963, “Caravan” was Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers' first album for Riverside Records. Featured in addition to Blakey are Freddie Hubbard (trumpet), Curtis Fuller (trombone), Wayne Shorter (sax), Cedar Walton (piano) and Reggie Workman (bass). This reissue features remastered audio from the original master tapes and is available on 192/24 hi res digital.

"Afro-Cuban" is the 1955 masterpiece by Kenny Dorham. The recording is one of the first well-respected blends of jazz and Afro-Cuban. The legendary jazz trumpeter is joined by J.J. Johnson, Hank Mobley, Cecil Payne, Horace Silver, Percy Heath, Art Blakey, Carlos Valdes and Richie Goldberg. This is a vital addition for any music connoisseur’s collection. Standouts include “Afrodisia”, “Lotus Flower” and “Minors Holiday”.

Leeway is an album by jazz trumpeter Lee Morgan released on the Blue Note label. It was recorded on April 28, 1960 and features performances by Morgan with Jackie McLean, Bobby Timmons, Paul Chambers and Art Blakey. "The Lion and the Wolff" is dedicated to producers Alfred Lion and Francis Wolff.

"Moving Out" is an album by jazz saxophonist Sonny Rollins, his second for the Prestige label. Recorded in the summer of 1954 but not issued until 1956, most of the songs on this album feature Sonny Rollins and trumpeter Kenny Dorham on the front line, with pianist Elmo Hope, bassist Percy Heath and drummer Art Blakey. The final track, More Than You Know, comes from a different session a few months later with Rollins as the only horn player, backed by Thelonious Monk on piano, bassist Tommy Potter and drummer Art Taylor.

"Horace Silver And The Jazz Messengers" is the influential 1955 classic by the ensemble. This milestone album established the hard bop style. It is the first under the quintet’s name and features a smoothing blend of bebop influences with blues and gospel undertones. Standouts include “The Preacher” and “Doodlin'”.

"Sonny Rollins, Vol. 2" brought together some of the greatest players of the post-bop era. In addition to Rollins, it featured Art Blakey on drums, Horace Silver and Thelonious Monk on piano, Paul Chambers on bass, and J.J. Johnson on trombone. This classic record is a must-have for any jazz lover.

Recorded in 1961, but not released until 1967, The Witch Doctor features one of Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers’ all-time great line-ups: Wayne Shorter on tenor saxophone, Lee Morgan on trumpet, Bobby Timmons on piano, and Jymie Merritt on bass. Shorter and Morgan each contribute two tunes, with Timmons penning one. Highlights include Morgan’s spectacular 6/8 modal piece “Afrique” and Shorter’s minor masterpiece “Those Who Sit And Wait.” Bobby Timmons brings the deep soul goods on his composition “A Little Busy,” and the album closes with a fleet-footed romp through Clifford Jordan’s tune “Lost and Found.”

"New Star On The Horizon" was recorded in August of 1953 and represents some of the first tracks that Clifford Brown recorded as a band leader. It was produced by Alfred Lion and was originally released in 1954.

The position of legendary figure is usually reserved for a deceased musician who has played two decades before. It usually requires this posthumous status and span of time, for the various stories concerning him to grow into a legend but it took a very much alive Thelonious Monk only five years to surround himself with an air of mystery and receive the title “High Priest of Bebop” in the Forties.

Drummer Art Blakey recorded Indestructible—his final album for Blue Note—in 1964 with a powerful sextet line-up of The Jazz Messengers featuring Wayne Shorter (tenor saxophone), Lee Morgan (trumpet), Curtis Fuller (trombone), Cedar Walton (piano), and Reggie Workman (bass). The LP presented 5 compelling original compositions by Fuller (“The Egyptian” & “Sortie”), Morgan (“Calling Miss Khadija”), Walton (“When Love Is New”), and Shorter (“Mr. Jin”), and was adorned with one of Reid Miles’ most memorable album cover designs. This Classic Vinyl Edition is all-analog, mastered by Kevin Gray from the original master tapes, and pressed on 180g vinyl at Optimal.