A true orgy in rhythm from Art Blakey – a set that not only features his drums next to the kit of Art Taylor, but which also adds in a bevy of other percussionists – including Sabu Martinez, Patato Valdez, and Jose Valentine! Joe Jones and Specs Wright also bring in additional jazz drums – making for more drummers than you might even find in a high school band – all working together with amazing qualities in sound, sometimes even melodic amidst all of the rhythms. Lighter lyrical touches are provided by Herbie Mann's flute, and Ray Bryant throws in some great lines on piano – underscoring the grooves in a nice way. Both original volumes are super-tough to find on LP, and this cool CD brings them both together as a single release, for a total of 8 long tracks that includes "Elephant Walk", "Amuck", "Ya Ya", "Abdallah's Delight", "Split Skins", "Buhania Chant", and "Toffi".
01. Buhaina Chant
02. Ya Ya
03. Toffi
04. Split Skins
05. Amuck
06. Elephant Walk
07. Come Out and Meet Me Tonight
08. Abdullah's Delight
Art Blakey: drums
Ray Bryant: piano
Jo Jones: drums, tympani
Herbie Mann: flute
Wendell Marshall: bass
Sabu Martinez: percussion
Ubaldo Nieto: percussion, timbales
Evilio Quintero: percussion, maracas, cencerro
Arthur Taylor: drums
Carlos "Patato" Valdes: percussion
Specs Wright: drums, tympani