The Essence of Hard Bop Revealed by the Numbers of Jackie McLean
The pinnacle of improvisational art reached by the alto saxophonist.
McLean's sharp tone and the hard bop sound characteristic of the Blue Note label form the heart of this album. His lively exchanges with collaborators such as Lee Morgan and Donald Byrd convey the essential joy of jazz. As the title suggests, the recordings feature performances with four to six musicians, and the changes in expression resulting from these different arrangements are fascinating.
