Art Blakey Free For All

The album comes out swinging with the title track Free for All. Wayne Shorter takes no time to let you know that he is playing his tenor sax on the album with heavy weight lines. The first solo was so bold I wondered what was to expect. The playing is some of the most gutsy and heavy lines that I have heard on a Blue Note hard bop album. Freddie Hubbard's trumpet playing is great as expected, but it seems a little distant from the tone Shorter has set. Curtis Fuller is on trombone and although consistent as always he seems to lack the punch that the set requires. Art Blakey is never outdone by the youngsters in front of him. He blisters the skins and thoroughly impresses. There is a reason that he is known as one of the best drummers ever.
The second track, Hammer Head is trying to be as heavy as the opener but it cannot quite get there. I think that is was only second on the album due to time issues.
Freddie Hubbard writes the first track on the b side and you can tell the different directions he and Shorter are going. This was the last album that they play together with Blakey on Blue Note.
The last track, Pensativa, is the light and soft track that end the album in a decresendo.
All and all the album is a good representation of hard bop, and what is to come from the blossoming musicians. I was happy with the performance and give it 3.5 stars.