Jazz / Hard Bop
Recorded: Van Gelder Studio, Hackensack, New Jersey
* Tracks 1-3: Jul 13, 1956
* Tracks 4-6: Jul 20, 1956
Jackie McLean - alto saxophone
Donald Byrd - (3,4,6) trumpet
Hank Mobley - (4) tenor saxophone
Mal Waldron - piano
Doug Watkins - bass
Arthur Taylor - drums
This is a well-rounded CD reissue that brings back altoist Jackie McLean's third recording as a leader. McLean has several fine ballad features ("Sentimental Journey," "Why Was I Born," "When I Fall in Love" and Mal Waldron's "Abstraction") welcomes trumpeter Donald Byrd to Kenny Drew's "Contour," and jams on a lengthy version of Charlie Parker's "Confirmation" with a sextet that includes Byrd and tenor saxophonist Hank Mobley. With pianist Waldron, bassist Doug Watkins and drummer Art Taylor offering fine support, this is a strong hard bop set that is tied to the tradition of bebop while looking forward. [The album was reissued in 2007 with remastering by Rudy Van Gelder.]
---Scott Yanow, allmusic
Includes liner notes by Ira Gitler |
