Art Blakey And The Jazz Messengers – Moanin’ (Red Marble Vinyl)

‘Moanin’ is a studio album by Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers, released in January 1959. Originally the LP was self-titled, but the instant popularity of the bluesy opening track, “Moanin’,” composed by pianist Bobby Timmons, led to its becoming known by that title. The album stands as one of the archetypal hard bop albums of the era, for the intensity of Blakey’s drumming and the work of Morgan, Golson, and Timmons, and for its combination of old-fashioned gospel and blues influences with a sophisticated modern jazz sensibility. The album was identified by jazz critic Scott Yanow as one of “17 Essential Hard Bop Recordings”.