| The African Beat | |
| Type: | Album |
| Artist: | Art Blakey and the Afro-Drum Ensemble |
| Cover: | The African Beat cover.jpg |
| Released: | November 1962[1] |
| Recorded: | January 24, 1962 |
| Studio: | Van Gelder Studio Englewood Cliffs |
| Genre: | Jazz |
| Length: | 40:15 |
| Label: | Blue Note BLP 4097 |
| Producer: | Alfred Lion |
| Chronology: | Art Blakey |
| Prev Title: | Buhaina's Delight |
| Prev Year: | 1961 |
| Next Title: | Three Blind Mice |
| Next Year: | 1962 |
The African Beat is a jazz album by Art Blakey and the Afro-Drum Ensemble recorded for Blue Note on January 24, 1962 and released later that year.[2]
He described it as the first opportunity he had to work with drummers from Africa; as a blend of American jazz with the traditional rhythms and tonal colors in the percussion of that continent. The album features compositions by African and American musicians, all based on aspects of West African (especially Nigerian) music.[3]