A Fickle Sonance (The Rudy Van Gelder Edition)

Underrated disc of slightly more sublime proportion compared to similar dated early-mid career output, even if it can feel a little underdeveloped. With focus on more elaborate songwriting and looser chemistry, more personality seeps into the less regimented session.

I second whoever said that! I love jazz an beebop and Jackie is making a lot of my playlists. This album is great!

This CD (not to mention the Vinyl!!) is a must have for me, I say this because whenever I hear it I am bopping along all day huming and screeching to it. I do realize that there maybe other more significant works by other artist. But for me this disc represents the best of what was being offered at the time of its creation. In my mind this is jazz at some of its best!! I always come back to this album, because it features some of my favorite players doing what I consider to be some of their most exciting playing, do not cheat yourself out of the experience of hearing this disc, buy it now!

The*Hot*Wax*Kid

I guess you could say Jackie is somehwere between Lester Young and Charlie Parker and John Coltrane. He really is an eclectic, and that is why he is so interesting to listen to on this particular CD. He is extremely good on the title track because he stretches it out and realloy lays down some hard post bop music that just about anybody will enjoy because it is basically catchy music. I highly reccomend this CD and it should stand the test of time as to where Charlie Parker would have gone if he had stayed alive longer.

I learned today that Jackie McLean passed away at the age of 74. To remember his powerful sound and searching spirit, I stepped away from some of my gospel and funk stuff to revisit some of his music. I've got something like 10 Jackie Mclean albums, mostly on Blue Note. Along with Let Freedom Ring, this is one of my favorites.

The first cut is a really catchy swinging tune whose head will stick with you. I don't know how much work Tommy Turrentine and Jackie did together, but they have great chemistry and great balance. Billy Higgins swings hard and this is very cohesive group.

The second track sticks out for me as a rearrangement of "Embraceable You". I also like the Enitnerrut, with it's Afro-Cuban feel.

Jackie Mac has a sound that pierces you to the core. It's sharp and jagged. Flirts with freedom but never forgets its bop influences.

Jackie Mac's work has moved me and this CD is one of several great entry points to the life of a great musician, educator and spirit.

5 stars.

--SD