JACKIE MCLEAN
Vertigo (Blue Note)
Reviewed by Shaun Dale

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Some of the most satisfying releases in the Blue Note reissue campaign are coming from the rarities editions released as the Connoisseur Series. This one combines a pair of rare Jackie McLean sessions, one recorded in 1963 but held in the vaults until 1981 and long out of print, and the other from 1962 which has been previously released only in Japan.

The 1963 date opens the disc with McLean's alto leading a quintet that features Donald Byrd (trumpet), Herbie Hancock (piano), Butch Warren (bass) and Tony Williams (drums). There are a pair of tracks each from Byrd and McLean and a Hancock original to round out the session. No matter who wrote what, though, the three trade solos freely and McLean shows signs of the move past bop that he was about to make.

The rest of the disc is from the 1962 session with Kenny Dorham (trumpet), Sonny Clark (piano), Butch Warren (bass) and Billy Higgins (drums). Like the '63 date, these tracks find McLean in a transitional mode, moving from the hard bop he had mastered to the "new thing" that he would soon pioneer with the landmark One Step Beyond.

Because of the transitional character of these cuts, this album, made up of tracks that have been too obscure for too long, is in many ways an excellent introduction to the music of Jackie McLean. If you're already introduced, it's a wonderful way to get to know that music better.

Track List:

Marney * Dusty Foot * Vertigo * Cheers * Yams * The Three Minors * Blues In A Jiff * Blues For Jackie * Marilyn's Dilemma * Iddy Bitty * The Way I Feel

© 2000 - Shaun Dale