For an up coming listening session I’m thinking of playing a track from Jackie McLean’s Dynasty. So that has been getting a spin as I try to decide on what to play - and I definitely recommend it to McLean fans if they haven’t checked it out yet (a strong outing from a period during which he didn’t record much). And as a result of that listening I’ve had bit more Jackie McLean on too. The recordings I have of McLean lean heavily on his work from the 1960s, and tonight I have on the album I’ve probably listened to the least - It’s Time! From 1964 with Jackie McLean (alto sax) Charles Tolliver (trumpet) Herbie Hancock (piano) Cecil McBee (bass) and Roy Haynes (drums).
Not surprising to say it’s hard driving and swinging, even if it’s a little less adventurous than some of his other albums from that period. The opening track, Tolliver’s “Cancellation”, makes you think it could be a wild ride but things settle down a bit after that. Which I’ll admit... is bit of a shame. There’s quite contrast between “Cancellation” and the second track “Das’ Dat”. But, while I’m not going to complain about a swinging blues, it does change the tone of the album immediately.
Herbie Hancock’s solo on the opener shows he’s an excellent addition to the McLean sound and it’s a shame they didn’t record together more (I don’t have Vertigo from a couple of years earlier). He provides plenty of probing energy and interest, the album would sound very different without him. He sounds great paired up with Roy Haynes – did they record together much? I haven’t heard it if they did.
I really don’t have much of at all of Charles Tolliver’s work.... off the top of my head it’s only this recording. It’s Time! Was his recording debut and he slots in really well and split the composing duties with McLean providing three of the six pieces.
McLean comes and goes in fits and starts for me. I like how distinctive he is. Destination Out and Swing Swang Swinging were the first albums of his I picked up - almost 25 years ago now - and as a result they are the albums I’m most familiar with. I managed to hear him live once. In NYC during 2004. It was a reunion of sorts with Grachan Moncur III and Bobby Hutcherson sharing the front line. Maybe the music didn’t live up to my expectations but I’m glad I got to hear him live and the vibe in the room (Iridium) was great! In fact, that’s one of the things I remember the most from that gig - along with the pianist arriving late as the taxi he was in crashed, and Hutcherson taking care of “Old Folks”. I think I'll leave it there tonight. But while you’re here, the video of the Dynasty recording session is on YouTube.
North End's Pit Boss seemed fitting tonight.
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