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Jazz meets the mother continent – a thunderous summit of drums, rhythm, and roots.
Recorded in 1962, The African Beat surrounds Art Blakey with a hand-picked ensemble of African and American percussionists, plus the protean Yusef Lateef on oboe, flute, and tenor sax. It is Blakey’s boldest statement on the deep bond between African rhythm and American jazz. From the joyous lilt of “lfe L’Ayo” to the high-life dance energy of “Ayiko Ayiko,” the ensemble builds polyrhythmic waves that surge and crest around Blakey’s commanding drums. Adventurous, spiritual, and ahead of its time, The African Beat remains one of the most fascinating entries in the Blakey catalog.
Tracklist:
| A | Ife L’ayo (There Is Happiness in Love) | 05:30 |
| A | Obirin African (Woman of Africa) | 03:42 |
| A | Love, the Mystery Of | 09:24 |
| B | Ero Ti Nr’ojeje | 07:34 |
| B | Ayiko, Ayiko (Welcome, Welcome, My Darling) | 07:14 |
| B | Tobi Ilu | 05:57 |
Release Date: 27.11.2026
SECOND RECORDS is a label of I-DI GmbH
