The Blakey's group (a quintet) where Blakey is accompanied by saxophonist Benny Golson, pianist Bobby Timmons, double bassist, Jymie Merritt and trumpeter Lee Morgan realise an album for Blue Note following a period of recording for various labels. The LP was originally subtitled "Art Blakey & the Jazz Messengers" but the album's opening with the bluesy track "Moanin'" quickly became one of the Messengers' best-known tracks and gave the album its name.

This release is part of the New Ermitage collection available from January 2024: 18 jazz and soul titles reissued on yellow vinyl with new codes and renewed graphics.