Album of the Year (Art Blakey album)
{{Infobox album
| name = Album of the Year
| type = Studio
| artist = Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers
| cover = Album of the Year (Art Blakey album).jpg
| alt =
| released = 1981
| recorded = April 12, 1981
| venue =
| studio = Davout Studios, Paris, France
| genre = Jazz
| length =
| label = Timeless
SJP 155
| producer = Wim Wigt
| prev_title = Art Blakey in Sweden
| prev_year = 1981
| next_title = Straight Ahead
| next_year = 1981
}}
Album of the Year is an album by drummer Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers recorded in 1981 in Paris and released on the Dutch Timeless label.[http://www.jazzdisco.org/art-blakey/catalog/album-index/#timeless-sjp-155 Art Blakey discography] accessed June 19, 2013[http://www.jazzdiscography.com/Artists/Blakey/chron.htm Art Blakey chronology] accessed June 19, 2013
A 2015 re-issue on the Japanese "Solid Records" label offers two additional tracks recorded in 1982 (and previously released on Oh-By the Way) with a different line up including Terrence Blanchard, Donald Harrison and Johnny O'Neal.
Reception
{{Album ratings
| rev1 = AllMusic
|rev2 = The Rolling Stone Jazz Record Guide
| rev2Score = {{rating|5|5}}{{Cite book
|editor-last=Swenson
|editor-first=J.
| author-link =
| year = 1985
| title = The Rolling Stone Jazz Record Guide
| publisher = Random House/Rolling Stone
| location = USA
| isbn = 0-394-72643-X
| pages = 26
}}
}}
Scott Yanow of AllMusic states, "The 1981 edition of The Jazz Messengers featured more than its share of young greats, reinforcing drummer Art Blakey's recognition as jazz's greatest talent scout. This high-quality set, recorded in Paris, includes new material".Yanow, S. [http://www.allmusic.com/album/album-of-the-year-mw0000202138 AllMusic Review], accessed June 19, 2013
Track listing
- "Cheryl" (Charlie Parker) - 5:23
- "Ms. B.C." (Pamela Watson) - 6:47
- "In Case You Missed It" (Robert Watson) - 8:53
- "Little Man" (Charles Fambrough) - 7:19
- "Witch Hunt" (Wayne Shorter) - 6:26
- "The Soulful Mr. Timmons" (James Williams) - 7:46
Personnel
- Art Blakey - drums
- Wynton Marsalis - trumpet
- Robert Watson - alto saxophone
- Bill Pierce - tenor saxophone
- James Williams - piano
- Charles Fambrough - bass