by Scott Yanow
The 1960-1961 Jazz Messengers featured three distinctive soloists (trumpeter Lee Morgan, Wayne Shorter on tenor, and pianist Bobby Timmons), perfectly suitable accompaniment by bassist Jymie Merritt, and typically powerful drumming from their leader, Art Blakey. Witch Doctor has two compositions apiece from Morgan and Shorter in addition to Timmons' "A Little Busy" and Clifford Jordan's "Lost and Found." None of these songs became standards, but the fine solos and strong group sound make this album worth picking up.