Drummer Art Blakey led many great editions of the Jazz Messengers from the inaugural mid-'50s sessions until his death in the '90s. While arguments rage regarding which was his best, there is no doubt that the 1960-1961 unit figures in the debate. This wonderful six-disc set, notated with care and painstaking detail by Bob Blumenthal, covers studio and live sessions from March 6, 1960, to May 27, 1961, with the same personnel on all but two songs. Producer Michael Cuscuna used only first issue dates, and while he included some alternate takes, he did not litter the discs with second-rate vault material. They smoothly detail the band's evolution, cohesion, and maturation. This set, as with all Mosaic boxes, goes beyond essential.
CD 1
01. It's Only a Paper Moon (alt) (6:23)
02. It's Only A Paper Moon (6:41)
03. Dat Dere (8:49)
04. The Chess Players (9:37)
05. Lester Left Town (6:26)
06. Sakeena's Vision (6:07)
07. Politely (6:05)
08. When Your Lover Has Gone (6:45)
09. Noise In The Attic (7:55)
10. Sleeping Dancer Sleep On (alt) (8:07)
CD 2
01. Sleeping Dancer Sleep On (8:07)
02. Sincerely Diana (6:49)
03. Sincerely Diana (alt) (6:55)
04. Yama (6:24)
05. Koko's Waltz (6:50)
06. Giantis (5:35)
07. Johnny's Blue (9:13)
08. So Tired (6:38)
09. Like Someone In Love (8:03)
CD 3
01. A Night In Tunisia (11:17)
02. United (6:49)
03. Ping Pong I (5:59)
04. Blue Ching (6:48)
05. Pisces (6:54)
06. Look At The Birdie (6:44)
07. Master Mind (6:55)
08. Ping Pong II (7:11)
09. Petty Larceny (6:16)
10. Roots & Herbs (6:05)
CD 4
01. United (7:27)
02. The Witch Doctor (alt) (5:37)
03. Those Who Sit And Wait (5:55)
04. A Little Busy (6:15)
05. Joelle (5:12)
06. Afrique (6:59)
07. Lost & Found (5:06)
08. The Witch Doctor (5:32)
09. The Back Sliders (alt) (7:10)
CD 5
01. The Back Sliders (7:50)
02. The Freedom Rider (7:27)
03. Tell It Like It Is (7:56)
04. El Toro (6:22)
05. Blue Lace (6:00)
06. Uptight (6:16)
07. Announcement by P.W. Marquette (1:09)
08. The Opener (8:29)
09. What Know (10:27)
10. Theme And Announcement by P.W. Marquette (1:38)
CD 6
01. Announcment by Art Blakey (0:21)
02. 'Round About Midnight (9:49)
03. The Breeze And I (10:37)
04. Announcment by P.W. Marquette And Art Blakey (1:00)
05. High Modes (13:07)
06. Night Watch (8:30)
07. Announcement by Art Blakey (0:12)
08. The Things I Love (8:29)
09. The Summit (9:26)
10. Theme And Announcement (1:31)
