Within a five day period in 1973, altoist Jackie McLean, who had only made one album (a live set) between 1968-72, cut enough material for five records. This worthy set features his intense style in a quartet with pianist Kenny Drew, bassist Niels Pedersen and drummer Alex Riel, recorded live at Montmartre in Copenhagen. Although the material -- Drew's "Callin'," athe ballad "Where Is Love," a pair of William Gault songs and McLean's "Jack's Tune" -- is not all that memorable, the altoist's passionate solos and very distinctive sound uplift the music and make this an advanced hard bop set worth acquiring. -Scott Yanow
McLean plays with great intensity on this album, and it is the Steeplechase recording I return to most often. This music is more straight hard bop than his Blue Note albums of the late 60s, and it shows an experienced player seriously blowing. - Drew Fields
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1. Jack's Tune (McLean)
2. Mode for Jay Mac (Gault)
3. Where Is Love? (Barts)
4. Callin' (Drew)
5. A Ghetto Lullaby (Gault)
JACKIE McLEAN alto saxophone
KENNY DREW piano
NIELS HENNING ORSTED PEDERSEN bass
ALEX RIEL drums
Recorded "live" at Montmartre Jazzhus, Copenhagen July 18 & 19, 1973
SteepleChase SCS - 1013 (Denmark)
http://www.steeplechase.dk/