(Hard Bop) Stephane Huchard - African Tribute to Art Blakey - 2008, WAVPack (image+.cue), lossless

Art Blakey was to me. the most "African" drummer among be-bop pioneers. His refined intensity seemed to stem from a tribal fiery groove. afro-jazz and hard-bop: "...a mixture of powerful abandon and precise control..."
It is both a passion traditional African drumming and my attachment to his music that led me to explore Art Blakey’s universe: he was a great unifier as well as a testimony of the intertwinement of the American culture with African roots.
The album was recorded with a band based on a JAZZ MESSENGERS "design": piano (Pierre De Bethmann), flugelhorn (Alexandre Tassel), tenor saxophone (Sylvain Beuf), double bass (Diego Imbert). Two West African famous percussionists from Mali and Ivory Cost (Baba Sissoko. a tama "talking drum" virtuoso and Thomas Guei, a very gifted djembe drummer) give a stronger percussive call to this tribute to Art Blakey's repertoire.
Enjoy as we enjoyed.
-- Stephane Huchard

Un album génial pour de nombreuses raisons: un leader, Stéphane Huchard, d'une grande humilité et d'un immense talent, des musiciens talentueux qui adorent ce qu'ils font et ont le sens du partage, enfin, un vibrant hommage à Art Blakey! A noter la virtuosité des percussionnistes, Baba Sissoko et Thomas Gueï. Il faut acheter l'album mais surtout aller les voir en concert, c'est encore plus impressionnant...
-- Hannicque "Caroline"