The Messenger (Ernest Dawkins album)

The Messenger is an album by American jazz saxophonist Ernest Dawkins' New Horizons Ensemble, which was recorded live at the Chicago's Velvet Lounge in 2005 and released on Delmark. The event was also filmed and issued on DVD.^[1]

The Messenger
Live album by Ernest Dawkins
Released	2006
Recorded	July 14, 2005
Venue	Velvet Lounge, Chicago
Genre	Jazz
Length	63:53
Label	Delmark
Producer	Robert G. Koester
Ernest Dawkins chronology
Mean Ameen (2004) The Messenger (2006) Un-Till Emmett Till (2009)

Reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[2]
The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings	[3]

In his review for AllMusic, Michael G. Nastos states "Blues, hard swing, and sounds from the black church and Africa all merge into a unified whole that is infectious, head-nodding, and smile-inducing."^[2]

The All About Jazz review by Nic Jones says "If these players are indeed looking towards new horizons, as the band's name suggests, then they're doing so from a vantage point rooted in the past, and their view of the past is of a worthwhile order."^[4]

In his review for JazzTimes Mike Shanley notes "Part oratory, part gutbucket excursion, 'Goin’ Downtown Blues' serves as the centerpiece of an enthralling live set."^[5]

Track listing

All compositions by Ernest Dawkins except as indicated

1. "Intro" – 0:48
2. "Mean Ameen" – 10:49
3. "The Messenger" – 13:09
4. "Goin' Downtown Blues" – 11:03
5. "Toucouleur" – 11:21
6. "The Brood" – 8:18
7. "Lookin' for Ninny" (Ameen Muhammad) – 8:25

Personnel

• Ernest Dawkins - alto sax, tenor sax
• Maurice Brown – trumpet
• Steve Berry – trombone
• Darius Savage – bass
• Isaiah Spencer – drums