Jackie McLean - Bluesnik (RVG Edition)
Artist.....: Jackie McLean
Title......: Bluesnik (RVG Edition)
Label......: Blue Note Records
Store Date.: Feb-24-2009
Genre......: Jazz
Encoder....: Lame 3.97 / -V2 --vbr-new
Size.......: 78,1 MB
Track Listing:
01 - Bluesnik 09:34
02 - Goin' Way Blues 06:33
03 - Goin' Way Blues (Alternate Take) 06:40
04 - Drew's Blues 05:51
05 - Cool Green 05:19
06 - Blues Function 07:19
07 - Torchin' 06:09
08 - Torchin' (Alternate Take) 06:16
─────
53:41 min
Release Notes:
http://www.cduniverse.com/productinfo.asp?pid=7851781
Bluesnik, Jackie McLean's seventh session as a leader for Blue
Note Records, was one of only two recordings issued by McLean in
1961. With a lineup of trumpeter Freddie Hubbard, bassist Doug
Watkins, pianist Kenny Drew, and drummer Pete La Roca, McLean laid
down a hard blowing session of six tunes based completely on blues
motifs. Many critics -- as well as jazz fans -- hold to the
opinion that Bluesnik may be McLean's most accessible session for
the label. That said, not all of these tunes are blues numbers
strictly speaking. They use blues forms, but don't all fall into
the conventional 12-bar structure, and therefore even move hard
bop paradigms a bit. The title track opening the set is a prime
example of this given that it quotes the theme in 12-bar but moves
through a knotty ten-bar sequence before roaring into a furious
but fluid cut time structure that allows for a maximum
"stretching" of the changes by Drew. Drew's "Cool Green," screws
around with the 12-bar in the melody, but given the introductory
statements made before each line and in the solo breaks, it too
pushes the standard blues architecture. There are the great
moments in blues here that helped to establish McLean as a giant,
such as "Drew's Blues," and the lovely "Torchin'," that closes the
set. Hubbard's role here is relatively minor in that he had not
yet established himself as a leader and he was still growing into
his choppy, taut method of soloing. The swing factor of the rhythm
section is undeniable, especially the interaction between Drew and
La Roca. In all, this is a monster session effortlessly performed
by a soloist at an early peak with a supporting cast of blazing
sidemen. [The Rudy Van Gelder edition of Bluesnik features
alternate takes of "Goin' Way Blues," and "Torchin'.]
Many regard this as the greatest album of Jackie McLean's career,
and while there is a lot of competition for that honor, this is
one of his most intriguing and satisfying works. McLean, Freddie
Hubbard, and Kenny Drew all contribute tunes, and each is a unique
and fascinating take of the blues. This album is a testament to
infinite variety that this resilient music form has in the hands
of true masters. This Rudy Van Gelder remaster has two alternate
takes added to the original album.
Please Enjoy..