Elvin Jones - Youngblood (1991)

Despite his stature in both the percussion and jazz communities as one of the most important drum-set innovators in history, Elvin Jones rarely gets credit for The Jazz Machine, his long-lived, always swinging group. On 1992's YOUNGBLOOD, the master kit player teams up with the young lions (or "youngbloods") of the '90s, including tenor saxophonists Javon Jackson and Joshua Redman and trumpet player Nicholas Payton. Together with bassist George Mraz, the Machine minces away once again.

These young jazz greats fit in superbly with the elder Jones, nearly 65 when this album was recorded. Indeed, Jones plays with a youthful spirit on YOUNGBLOOD, while Jackson, Redman, and Payton all play with the maturity of jazz veterans. All involved provide memorable solos. Jones' drums are especially riveting throughout. His contrapuntal and harmonic sense for the instrument proves that drums have the ability-even if more limited than pitched instruments-to develop themes and create complex musical statements beyond the boundaries of rhythm. Highlights include the knotty "Strange" and the solo drum composition "Ding-A-Ling-A-Ling."

24bit digitally remastered Japanese limited edition issue of the album classic in a deluxe, miniaturized LP sleeve replica of the original vinyl album artwork.
Recorded at Van Gelder Studios, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey from April 20-21, 1992.

01.Not Yet
02.Have You Seen Elveen?
03.Angel Eyes
04.Ding-A-Ling-A-Ling
05.Lady Luck
06.The Biscuit Man
07.Body And Soul
08.Strange
09.My Romance
10.Youngblood.

Elvin Jones - Drums
Nicholas Payton - Trumpet
Joshua Redman - Tenor Saxophone
Javon Jackson - Tenor Saxophone
George Mraz - Bass.