A Night In Tunisia - Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers (1981) (1LP Vinyl, Japan) - Near Mint (NM)

Condition: Used

Media Condition: Near Mint (NM)

Sleeve Condition: Near Mint (NM)

A Night In Tunisia by Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers.

There are few outfits in jazz history that carried the torch of hard bop with the fire and conviction of Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers, and this pressing of "A Night In Tunisia" captures that spirit in full flight. Recorded in 1957 in New York City, it finds Blakey behind the drums doing what he did best: driving a band of gifted young players with relentless swing and thunderous energy.

The lineup here is a snapshot of one of Blakey's most electric editions of the group. Jackie McLean brings his sharp, keening alto saxophone, matched by the muscular tenor of Johnny Griffin, while Bill Hardman lends bright trumpet lines up front. Underneath it all, Sam Dockery holds down the piano chair and Spanky DeBrest anchors the bass, giving the rhythm section a supple, grounded foundation for the horns to soar over.

Side A opens with the title cut, "Night In Tunisia," a piece that has become synonymous with the swagger and exotic melodicism of the bebop tradition, before rolling into the punchy "Off The Wall." Turn the record over and side B stretches out across three tracks, "Theory Of Art," "Couldn't It Be You?," and "Evans," each one offering room for the players to trade ideas and lean into the collective conversation that made the Messengers so compelling.

This is a Japanese pressing issued under RCA Records, catalog number RJL-2531(M), tracing its lineage back to the US legacy issue LPM-2654. It comes complete with the white obi and Japanese insert that collectors of these editions prize, along with the careful attention to presentation that Japanese pressings of the era were known for. The runouts are stamped, and the whole package carries the 1981 RCA production markings on both the back sleeve and the labels.

The reissue also preserves the record's literary side, pairing liner notes from the esteemed critic Nat Hentoff, co-editor of "Hear Me Talkin' to Ya" and "Jazz Makers," with additional notes from Shoichi Yui for the Japanese audience. It is the kind of thoughtful annotation that turns a listening session into a deeper study of the music and the moment. Bob Rolontz is credited as producer.

For the collector of hard bop and mid century jazz, this is a document of the Messengers at a formative peak, presented in a well appointed Japanese edition that honors both the sound and the story. Set it on the turntable, drop the needle, and let Blakey's cymbals and the front line of McLean, Griffin, and Hardman remind you why this music still burns so bright.

Pressing Details:
Track Listing:
A1. Night In Tunisia
A2. Off The Wall
B1. Theory Of Art
B2. Couldn't It Be You?
B3. Evans

Credits:
Jackie McLean - Alto Saxophone
Spanky DeBrest - Bass
Art Blakey - Drums
Nat Hentoff - Liner Notes
Shoichi Yui - Liner Notes
Sam Dockery - Piano
Bob Rolontz - Producer [Produced By]
Johnny Griffin - Tenor Saxophone
Bill Hardman - Trumpet

Notes:
White obi and Japanese insert

Mr. Hentoff is co-editor of Hear Me Talkin' to Ya and Jazz Makers (Rinehart) - Back sleeve

Recorded in 1957 in New York City - Back sleeve

Ⓟ '81 RCA RECORDS - Back sleeve & labels

Cat# RJL-2531(M) - Front and back sleeve, spine, insert & labels
Legacy US Cat# LPM-2654 - Front sleeve & labels

Runouts: Stamped

Artist: Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers

Format: 1LP

Genre: Jazz

Label: RCA

Catalog Number: RJL-2531 (M)

Release Year: 1981

Country: Japan