Art Blakey
(drums) and the
Jazz Messengers
are back home at Birdland [AKA 'the jazz corner of the world'] on this second instalment of
Meet You At The Jazz Corner Of The World, Vol. 2
(1961). Over half a decade after recording the seminal bop masterwork
A Night At Birdland
(1954), the combo -- which sports
Lee Morgan
(trumpet),
Wayne Shorter
(tenor sax),
Bobby Timmons
(piano) and
Jymie Merritt
(bass) -- returned to their former stompin' grounds on the five cuts included on this disc. The band reels under the authoritative beat of
Blakey
, who grounds the emerging leadership of
Morgan
and
Shorter
. If sides such as
Hank Mobley
's
"High Modes"
-- which jump-starts this effort -- is any indication, the pair seem to be likewise learning from the experience of simply interacting with each other. This sort of 'on-the-job training' became an essential element in the Messengers and propelled the likes of
into the orbit of
Miles Davis
. During his tenure with
,
's trademark lyrical performance style can be actively heard emerging during these recordings. He contrasts
's limber and lilting solos and improvisations, which weaves through
's pulsating and hypnotic basslines on the previously mentioned
.
"Night Watch"
, another
Mobley
composition, is a syncopated and infectiously rhythmic side which spotlights
's increasing grasp on his immense improvisational skills. Again, these abilities would allow the musician to quickly develop as the undaunted instrumentalist that helped revolutionize modern jazz with
in the mid '60s. The LP concludes with a rousing rendition of
"The Summit"
-- which would become a standard for this particular incarnation of the
. Once again the lines fly fast and furious between
with
Timmons
securely anchoring the soloists to the equally involved rhythm section. Both the first and second volumes of
Meet You at the Jazz Corner of the World
were collected on a
Rudy Van Gelder
two-CD edition. This 2002 reissue includes a newly inked essay from jazz historian
Bob Bluementhal
as well as reproductions of
Leonard Feather
's original sleeve notes. Enthusiasts should be aware that the sonic distortion is inherent in the master tapes and is otherwise unavoidable on the reissue. However, this should not discourage interested parties and collectors. ~ Lindsay Planer