Art Blakey’s 1960 hard bop classic The Big Beat introduced one of the greatest line-ups of The Jazz Messengers with the legendary drummer joined by trumpeter Lee Morgan, tenor saxophonist Wayne Shorter, pianist Bobby Timmons, and bassist Jymie Merritt.

Three of the six tunes here were composed by Shorter including “Lester Left Town,” but the album is best-known for an unforgettable version of Timmons’ enduring hit “Dat Dere.”

BLUE NOTE CLASSIC VINYL EDITION: mono, all-analog, mastered by Kevin Gray from the original master tapes, and pressed on 180g vinyl at Optimal, padded inner sleeves.

Tracklist

A1 The Chess Players

A2 Sakeena's Vision

A3 Politely

B1 Dat Dere

B2 Lester Left Town

B3 It's Only A Paper Moon

Drums: Art Blakey, Trumpet: Lee Morgan, Tenor Sax: Wayne Shorter, Piano: Bobby Timmons, Bass: Jymie Merritt