Art Blakey's legendary Jazz Messengers recorded for numerous labels large and small during the 35 years of its existence. Few periods in the band's storied history were as inspired as its 1962-63 stint at Riverside, when the Messengers were a sextet with the incredible Freddie Hubbard/Curtis Fuller/Wayne Shorter front line and Cedar Walton/Reggie Workman/Blakey rhythm section. This was the Messengers' Riverside debut, and it attained instant classic status on the strength of its memorable Shorter and Hubbard compositions (two of which are heard in bonus alternate takes), great ballad features by Hubbard and Fuller, and a much-covered arrangement of the title track that features the leader at his most intense.
1. Caravan 9:47
2. Sweet ’n’ Sour 5:31
3. In The Wee Small Hours Of The Morning 4:05
4. This Is For Albert 8:21
5. Skylark 4:50
6. Thermo 6:48
7. Thermo (take 2) 7:26
8. Sweet ’n’ Sour (take 4) 5:30
Art Blakey: Drums
Curtis Fuller: Trombone
Freddie Hubbard: Trumpet
Wayne Shorter: Tenor Saxophone
Cedar Walton: Piano
Reggie Workman: Bass
