by Scott YanowArt Blakey's mid-1980's version of The Jazz Messengers made many recordings, but since the group (featuring trumpeter Terence Blanchard, altoist Donald Harrison, tenor saxophonist Jean Toussaint, pianist Mulgrew Miller, bassist Lonnie Plaxico and the leader/drummer) was particularly talented, all of its sessions are well worth acquiring by lovers of modern hard bop. This particular album has ballad features for Blanchard ("Polka Dots and Moonbeams"), Toussaint ("I Love You") and Miller ("Old Folks" and "You and the Night and the Music") along with three flagwavers for the full ensemble.