'S Make It (slang for 'Let's go')[1] is a recording by the hard bop Art Blakey jazz ensemble. It was recorded in Los Angeles in 1964 and issued on the Limelight label.[2][3][4] Following the departure of stars from his 1961 to 1964 band, Freddie Hubbard, Wayne Shorter and Cedar Walton, it includes previous Blakey alumni and newer players.[5] This was trombonist Curtis Fuller's last recording as a regular member of the group, though he would return to record sporadically with Blakey in the 1970s and 80s. The album was re-released on Verve in 2004.[6]
| 'S Make It | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers | ||||
| Released | 1965 | |||
| Recorded | November 15–16, 1964 Los Angeles | |||
| Genre | Jazz | |||
| Length | 35:13 original LP | |||
| Label | Limelight 86001 | |||
| Producer | Jack Tracy | |||
| Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers chronology | ||||
| ||||
Reception
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Allmusic |   [5] |
| The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings | [7] |
Jeffery S. McMillan has called the release one of Blakey's most underrated works and that it exemplifies his 1964–1965 work.[8] In a review in the December 1965 issue of Black World, the title track is described as "a diabolical concept, a dark image, invoking the innermost caverns of Manhattan."[1] David Rickert calls the album "a fine Messengers album and a good example of the drummer's consistently satisfying work."[6] Russ Musto referred to the release as a "return to a more soulful sound".[9] Ken Dryden stated in his Allmusic review that "It's a shame that this was the only recording by this particular lineup of the Jazz Messengers, as [John] Gilmore's strong blowing complements Morgan very well".[5]
Track listing
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Faith" | Stan Freeman/Jack Lawrence | 3:46 |
| 2. | "'S Make It" | Lee Morgan | 5:40 |
| 3. | "Waltz for Ruth" | John Hicks | 5:46 |
| 4. | "One for Gamal" | Morgan | 3:41 |
| 5. | "Little Hughie" | Curtis Fuller | 5:35 |
| 6. | "Olympia" | Hicks | 5:49 |
| 7. | "Lament for Stacy" | Morgan | 5:12 |
Personnel
Musicians
- Art Blakey – drums
- Lee Morgan – trumpet
- Curtis Fuller – trombone
- John Gilmore – tenor sax
- John Hicks – piano
- Victor Sproles – bass
Production
- Jack Tracy – producer
- Ken Druker – executive producer
- Pete Romano – engineer
- Dave Wiechman – engineer
- Kip Smith – mixing
- Leonard Feather – liner notes
- Don Bronstein – cover photo