The African Beat
by Art Blakey
- Type: Album
- Released: 1962
- Label: Blue Note
- Country: United States
- Length: 26:15
- Community rating: 4.08/5 from 5 ratings
Artists on this release: Chief Bey, Yusef Lateef, Ahmed Abdul-Malik, Solomon Ilori, Garvin Masseaux, Curtis Fuller, Montego Joe
Album Notes & Community Reviews
A groundbreaking album that saw Art Blakey stepping away from his signature hard bop sound to lead a large percussion-based ensemble. The music is a powerful and joyous celebration of the rhythms of Africa, featuring a host of master drummers and the multi-instrumental genius of Yusef Lateef. It was a pioneering effort to explore the roots of jazz in a deep and authentic way.
Genres
Descriptors: percussive, polyrhythmic, traditional, ensemble, party
Tracklist
- Ife L'ayo (There Is Happiness in Love) (5:30)
- Obirin African (Woman of Africa) (3:42)
- Love, the Mystery Of (9:24)
- Ero Ti Nr'ojeje (7:34)
- Ayiko Ayiko (Welcome, Welcome) (7:14)
- Tobi Ilu (5:57)
Credits
- Art Blakey and The Afro-Drum Ensemble - primary artist
- Ahmed Abdul-Malik - bass
- Robert Crowder - bata, congas
- James Ola Folami - congas
- Chief Bey - congas, drums [telegraph drum], percussion [double gong], written-by
- Reid Miles - design [cover]
- Montego Joe - drums [bambara drum, log drum, corboro drum], percussion [double gong]
- Art Blakey - drums, timpani, gong, drums [telegraph drum]
- Rudy Van Gelder - lacquer cut by, recorded by
- Nat Hentoff - liner notes
- Yusef Lateef - oboe, flute, saxophone [tenor], horns [cow horn], kalimba
- Garvin Masseaux - percussion [chekere], maracas [african maracas], congas, written-by
- Francis Wolff - photography by [cover photo]
- Alfred Lion - producer
- Curtis Fuller - timpani
- Solomon G. Ilori - vocals, whistle [penny whistle], talking drum, written-by
- Guy Warren - written-by
- Art Blakey & The Afro-Drum Ensemble - Primary Artist