In November 1962, “Blue Note” label released “The African Beat”, album by Art Blakey and The Afro-Drum Ensemble (the fifth Art Blakey album overall). It was recorded in January 1962, at “Van Gelder Studio” in Englewood Cliffs”, New Jersey, and was produced by Alfred Lion.
Personnel:
- Art Blakey — drums, timpani, telegraph drum, gong
- Ahmed Abdul-Malik — bass
- Yusef Lateef — cow horn, flute, tenor saxophone, mbira, oboe
- Curtis Fuller — timpani
- Chief Bey — double gong, conga, telegraph drum
- Robert Crowder — Batá drum, conga
- James Ola. Folami — conga
- Solomon G. Ilori — vocals, talking drum, pennywhistle
- Montego Joe — corboro drum, log drum, bambara drum, double gong
- Garvin Masseaux — shekere, African maracas, conga
- Rudy Van Gelder – recording, lacquer cut
- Reid Miles – design
- Francis Wolff – photography
- Nat Hentoff – liner notes
Track listing:
- Prayer – Solomon G. Ilori
- Ife L’ayo (There Is Happiness in Love) – Solomon G. Ilori
- Obirin African (Woman of Africa) – Garvin Masseaux
- Love, The Mystery of – Guy Warren
- Ero Ti Nr’Ojeje – Solomon G. Ilori
- Ayiko, Ayiko (Welcome, Welcome, My Darling) – Solomon G. Ilori
- Tobi Ilu – James H. Bey
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