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JuJu is the fifth album by American jazz saxophonist Wayne Shorter. It was released in July 1965 by Blue Note Records. It features a rhythm section of pianist McCoy Tyner, bassist Reggie Workman and drummer Elvin Jones, all of whom had worked extensively with Shorter’s fellow tenor saxophonist John Coltrane.

Reception

AllMusic review by Stacia Proefrock awarded the album 5 stars and stated:”Fulfilling the potential promised on his Blue Note debut, Night Dreamer, Wayne Shorter’s JuJu was the first great showcase for both his performance and compositional gifts. Early in his career as a leader, Shorter was criticized as a mere acolyte of John Coltrane, and his use of Coltrane’s rhythm section on his first two Blue Note albums only bolstered that criticism. The truth is, though, that Elvin Jones, Reggie Workman, and McCoy Tyner were the perfect musicians to back Shorter. Jones’ playing at the time was almost otherworldly. He seemed to channel the music through him when improvising and emit the perfect structure to hold it together. Workman too seemed to almost instinctively understand how to embellish Shorter’s compositions. McCoy Tyner’s role as one of the greatest jazz pianists of all time was played here as well, and his light touch and beautiful, joyful improvisations would make him a much better match for Shorter than Herbie Hancock would later prove to be. What really shines on JuJu is the songwriting. From the African-influenced title track (with its short, hypnotic, repetitive phrases) to the mesmerizing interplay between Tyner and Shorter on “Mahjong,” the album (which is all originals) blooms with ideas, pulling in a world of influences and releasing them again as a series of stunning, complete visions.”

Track listing
All compositions by Wayne Shorter.
A1. “JuJu” – 8:30
A2. “Deluge” – 6:49
A3. “House of Jade” – 6:49
B1. “Mahjong” – 7:39
B2. “Yes or No” – 6:34
B3. “Twelve More Bars to Go” – 5:26

Personnel
Wayne Shorter – tenor saxophone
McCoy Tyner – piano
Reggie Workman – bass
Elvin Jones – drums

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Released: July 1965
Recorded: August 3, 1964
Studio: Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey
Length: 42:07
Label: Blue Note
BLP 4182;
CP32-5250
Producer Alfred Lion