Details

If thedigital album is purchased, you will receive the full album via email upon purchase.

Standard digital downloads are delivered as MP344.1KHZ/24-BIT audio files.

Please note, digital downloads are only available in the U.S.

First Flight to Tokyo: The Lost 1961 Recordingsis a thrilling previously unreleased live recording ofArt Blakey & The Jazz Messengerscaptured at Hibiya Public Hall in Tokyo on January 14, 1961 during the bands first-ever tour of Japan. The Jazz Messengers were among the first modern jazz groups to tour the country, and adoring Japanese audiences were enthralled by one of the bands all-time great line-ups featuring the legendary drummer withLee Morganon trumpet,Wayne Shorteron tenor saxophone,Bobby Timmonson piano, andJymie Merritton bass. The concert featured soaring performances of well-known jazz staples including Charlie Parkers Nows the Time, Thelonious Monks Round About Midnight, and Jazz Messenger hits including Blues March, Dat Dere, and Moanin.First Flight to Tokyowas co-produced byZev FeldmanandDavid Weiss. The deluxe 2-LP vinyl and 2-CD editions both come with elaborate booklets featuring rare photos by Japanese photographers Shunji Okura and Hozumi Nakadaira; a historical essay by acclaimed jazz critic Bob Blumenthal; plus new interviews with Wayne Shorter in conversation with Blue Note president Don Was, celebrated saxophonist Lou Donaldson, Japanese jazz star Sadao Watanabe, renowned Japanese music critic Reiko Yukawa, Blakeys son Takashi Blakey, and a trio of drum greats: Louis Hayes, Billy Hart, and Cindy Blackman Santana. Audio was newly transferred from the original tape reels, and the vinyl edition was mastered by Bernie Grundman and pressed on 180g vinyl at RTI.

Tracklist:

1. Now's the Time (Live at Hibiya Public Hall, Tokyo, Japan 1/14/61)
2. Moanin' (Live at Hibiya Public Hall, Tokyo, Japan 1/14/61)
3. Blues March (Live at Hibiya Public Hall, Tokyo, Japan 1/14/61)
4. The Theme (Live at Hibiya Public Hall, Tokyo, Japan 1/14/61)
5. Dat Dere (Live at Hibiya Public Hall, Tokyo, Japan 1/14/61)
6. 'Round About Midnight (Live at Hibiya Public Hall, Tokyo, Japan 1/14/61)
7. Now's the Time (Version 2 - Live at Hibiya Public Hall, Tokyo, Japan 1/14/61)
8. A Night in Tunisia (Live at Hibiya Public Hall, Tokyo, Japan 1/14/61)
9. The Theme (Version 2 - Live at Hibiya Public Hall, Tokyo, Japan 1/14/61)

Hi-Res Digital Disclaimer:

FLAC files do NOT work in iTunes/Apple Music players or on most portable music players without additional software. If youre unfamiliar with FLAC files we suggest that you download the WAV files instead. More information on FLAC can be foundhereorhere.