Art Blakey’s 1964 recording of “Free For All” could be the perfect example of getting down “To the Core” and reaching the “Depths of One’s Being.” One may ask how a quintet of Jazz musicians could confidently display such a powerful ability to open their inner soul through music and directly communicate it over to the listener. Yes, it’s amazing how “human” Jazz music is and how the complete spectrum of human emotions could be accurately communicated through musical instruments. That’s what Jazz is all about, the recognition of the audience and the interaction with the band, the rest is simple, unless you complicate it. It’s remarkably easy to notice this interconnection of the band (the musicians) and the listeners, as their thoughts and emotions unite, in-sync, with the extra sense of perception that only Jazz can convey. It’s a very unique sort of spiritual type of dialogue taking place between the two. It’s a sort of euphoric condition that pleasantly takes over. It naturally overcomes all involved on an equal psychological level, as we all emerge into a pure organic state of mind. Here’s a tiny visual example; take a look at Art Blakey’s expression on the cover of this album and what do you feel? This is just an introduction and a most accurate depiction of what you will be experiencing throughout the whole album! It is very important to note that this particular recording must be heard from start to finish and without skipping around randomly from tune to tune. That’s “Free For All” to “Hammer Head” to “The Core” and finally to “Pensativa.” Learn more about the album here and listen to the whole album here via Youtube:
