Fantastic lost material from
Jackie McLean! The set was recorded right before his "new thing" era – in the same period as the amazing Fickle Sonance album. And like that one, this features
Jackie edging out towards modernist ideas, yet still swinging hard and fierce,
with a firey boppish sensibility. The writing is great – and the players include Herbie Hancock on piano, Donald Byrd on trumpet, Butch Warren on bass, and a young Tony Williams on drums – making his recording debut on the album! The whole thing's tinged
with dark and fragile emotion – and a heated sense of urgency that makes it one of
McLean's best albums of the 60s – even though it was recorded then, and not issued by Blue Note until many years later! Titles include "Marney", "Dusty Foot", "Vertigo", and "Cheers". Now, in this reissue
with 24-bit mastering, it's also coupled
with a great set that has
McLean playing
with Kenny Dorham and Sonny Clark, recorded a year earlier. The whole CD's got a total of 11 great tracks – and it's one of the best
Jackie McLean titles you can find!