Moanin’ by Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers is a landmark hard bop album, recorded on October 30, 1958, and released later that year by Blue Note Records. The album marked Blakey’s return to Blue Note after years of recording with various other labels, signalling both a homecoming and a creative resurgence. The LP was originally self-titled, but the runaway success of its opening track, “Moanin’", composed by pianist Bobby Timmons, quickly led to the album adopting that name. The bluesy, gospel-tinged tune became an instant classic and a defining piece in the Jazz Messengers' repertoire.

The album’s other original compositions were penned by saxophonist Benny Golson, whose tenure with the Jazz Messengers was brief, making Moanin’ the only U.S. album to feature him. Tracks like “Are You Real” showcase the dynamic interplay between Golson and trumpeter Lee Morgan, with its driving 32-bar structure, while “Along Came Betty” provides a more lyrical and reflective moment, serving as the album’s ballad. The "Drum Thunder Suite", a three-part showcase for Blakey’s commanding drumming, is divided into “Drum Thunder,” “Cry a Blue Tear,” and “Harlem’s Disciples,” highlighting his ability to blend percussive intensity with emotional depth. The track “Blues March” draws inspiration from New Orleans marching bands, infusing the album with a sense of swing and tradition, while the only standard on the album, “Come Rain or Come Shine,” is delivered with an unusually brisk and upbeat tempo.

Moanin’ is widely regarded as one of the quintessential hard bop recordings, praised for its blend of soulful gospel, blues, and cutting-edge modern jazz. Blakey’s powerful drumming, combined with the stellar contributions of Morgan, Golson, and Timmons, creates an enduring work of art that remains highly influential in the world of jazz.

2024 reissue pressed on blue vinyl, released via the Blue Note 85 Classic Vinyl Series. 

Tracklist: 

Side A

Side B