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)
