Search - Jackie Mclean :: Swing, Swang, Swingin'

Really a relaxed date

G. Schramke | Vienna, Austria | 12/28/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Here we have one of those really relaxed recording sessions with four great guys who just love to play together. Things start off with "What's New", taken here at a surprising medium tempo rather than the usual ballad time. One time, when I heard Jackie McLean in person, he actually played that tune in a similar way, so this CD brings back to me some very beautiful memories. Jackie McLean always keeps his very personal and unique style, whether he is playing more familiar material like on this album,or is taking some "steps beyond". Especially after listening to the more advanced material from his famous albums of the sixties, it's really relaxing to have him play standards like "I Remember You" or "I'd Take Romance", and I particularly like his version on Golson's "Stablemates", which is a very good example of pure McLean on that tune with it's beautiful chord progressions. About the pianist on that date, Walter Bishop, just let me say that he is beautiful. Like on another great McLean-Album, "Capuchin Swing", he gets enough space to really stretch out. He was a Bud Powell disciple without merely copying Bud, very tasteful indeed."

Jackie Mc Lean Swings with some funky flavor

Reginald Swift | Los Angeles, CA USA | 07/19/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Very impressive, Jackie demostrates his ability to keep the hard bop tradition while implementing some funk. His tone is unmistakable. A ture student of the BeBop, and Cool Jazz school, Jackie proves that his place on The Jazz Board of directors is valid."

A classic

Johnny Thursday | 12/11/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This album tends to be overlooked, but it features refreshingly inventive and robust solos. There is no key wiggling or scale running here. And it really swings."