Jackie McLean - Strange Blues (1957)

Tracklist

1 Strange Blues 7:32
2 Millie's Pad 11:15
3 What's New? 6:35
4 Disciples Love Affair 6:49
5 Not So Strange Blues 4:49

personnel :

Jackie McLean - alto saxophone
Webster Young - trumpet
Ray Draper - tuba
Gil Coggins, Jon Mayer, Mal Waldron - piano
Paul Chambers, Art Phipps, Bill Salter - bass
Louis Hayes, Art Taylor, Larry Ritchie - drums

The last of the Jackie McLean Prestige sessions, this CD reissue has material from two different sets, but fortunately, the music is on a higher level than one might expect of "leftovers." "Strange Blues" is from a marathon quartet set that McLean had with pianist Mal Waldron, bassist Arthur Phipps and drummer Art Taylor as is a rendition of "What's New" that is an alternate version to the one included on Makin' the Changes. In addition, "Disciples Love Affair" and "Millie's Pad" match McLean with the tuba of Ray Draper (who contributed both songs), trumpeter Webster Young, pianist John Meyers, bassist Bill Salter and drummer Larry Ritchie, while the incomplete "Not So Strange Blues" is all McLean on an explosive blues with the rhythm section. A generally strong set chiefly recommended to Jackie McLean completists.~Scott Yanow