Jackie McLean & Co Introducing Ray Draper (1957)

Although altoist Jackie McLean's Prestige recordings of the 1950s are not as significant as his Blue Notes from the '60s, he did record quite a bit of enjoyable hard bop material during this era. This CD is unusual for, in addition to a conventional quintet (with trumpeter Bill Hardman, pianist Mal Waldron, bassist Doug Watkins and drummer Art Taylor), the young tuba player Ray Draper is heard on three of the five group originals. Draper played his instrument as part of the frontline rather than in the rhythm section and, even if he was not on the level of McLean and Hardman, he gives some needed color to this set. Waldron, who contributed two of the five selections (the others are by McLean, Watkins or Draper) really sets the melancholy mood for much of the music and is an important force behind the scenes. An interesting CD.

Scott Yanow

http://www.allmusic.com/album/jackie-mclean-and-co-r143545 

1.Flickers

2. Help

3. Minor Dream

4. Beau Jack

5. Mirage

Jackie McLean (as) Bill Hardman (tp) Ray Draper (tuba) Mal Waldron (p) 

Dough Watkins (b) Art Taylor (d)

Jack Wilson Easterly Winds (1967)

Easterly Winds provides an excellent contrast to Jack Wilson's first Blue Note album, Somethin' Personal. Where his label debut was cool and romantic, Easterly Winds is a brassy, funky collection of soul-jazz and hard bop with instant appealing. Wilson keeps the tone fairly diverse, both in his originals and covers. After hitting hard with the funky opening pair "Do It" and "On Children" (both of which illustrate that he was familiar with contemporary soul), he quiets the mood with a nice version of Johnny Mandel's "A Time for Love." On the second half, he turns in soul-jazz ("Easterly Winds"), straight hard bop ("Frank's Tune") and the charmingly lyrical "Nirvanna." Throughout it all, Wilson is subtle and tasteful, allowing trumpeter Lee Morgan and alto saxophonist Jackie McLean their time in the spotlight; trombonist Garnett Brown has a couple of nice moments as well, while bassist Bob Cranshaw and Billy Higgins lend solid rhythmic support. It's another impressive, enjoyable effort from one of the most underrated pianists on Blue Note's '60s roster.

1. Do It

1. On Children

3. A Time For Love

4. Easterly Winds

5. Nirvanna

6. Frank's Tune

Jack Wilson (p) Lee Morgan (tp) Jackie McLean (as) Garnett Brown (tb) 

Bob Cranshaw (b) Billy Higgins (d)

Ray Draper Quintet Tuba Sounds (1957)

One of the first tuba players to lead his own recording session in a bebop setting, Ray Draper was only 16 when he recorded the music on this CD reissue, his debut. Teamed in a sextet with trumpeter Webster Young (also making his recording debut), altoist Jackie McLean, pianist Mal Waldron, bassist Spanky DeBrest, and drummer Ben Dixon, Draper fits in pretty well. His solos are sometimes a touch awkward rhythmically and it takes one a little while to get used to his sound in this setting but, overall, this is a successful effort. The fairly modern sextet performs straight-ahead originals by Draper, Young, and Waldron in addition to the standard "You're My Thrill." 

Review by Scott Yanow - Allmusic.com

1. Terry Anne

2. You're My Thrill

3. Pivot

4. Jackie's Dolly

5. Mimi's Interlude

6. House Of Davis

Ray Draper (tuba) Webster Young (tp) Jackie McLean (as) Mal Waldron (p) 

Spanky DeBrest (b) Ben Dixon (d)

Kenny Dorham & Jackie McLean - Inta Somethin'

1 Us 7:13

2 It Could Happen To You 6:00

3 Let's Face The Music 6:06

4 No Two People 6:59

5 Lover Man 5:01

6 San Francisco Beat 7:12

Kenny Dorham (tp); Jackie McLean (as); Walter Bishop Jr. (p); Leroy Vinnegar (b); Art Taylor (d)

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