Jackie McLean – New Soil (2LP, 45RPM, Number 1576)
RARITY – Sealed
Alto Saxophone – Jackie McLean [click here to see more vinyl featuring Jackie McLean]
Bass – Paul Chambers [click here to see more vinyl featuring Paul Chambers]
Trumpet – Donald Byrd [click here to see more vinyl featuring Donald Byrd]
Piano – Walter Davis Jr.
Drums – Pete La Roca
Written by Jackie McLean (A1, B1), Walter Davis Jr. (C1, D1-2)
2LPs, standard sleeve
Limited numbered edition - Number 1576
Original analog Master tape : YES
Heavy Press : 180g
Record color : Black
Speed : 45 RPM
Size : 12'’
Stereo
Studio
Record Press : Record Technology Incorporated
Label : Analogue Productions
Original Label : Blue Note
Recorded May 2, 1959 at Van Gelder Studio, Hackensack, NJ
Recorded by Rudy Van Gelder
Produced by Alfred Lion
Mastered by Kevin Gray, Steve Hoffman at AcousTech Mastering
Originally released in August 1959
Reissued in 2010
Tracks:
Side A:
- Hip Strut
Side B:
- Minor Apprehension
Side C:
- Greasy
Side D:
- Sweet Cakes
- Davis Cup
Reviews:
“New Soil wasn't the first session Jackie McLean recorded for Blue Note, but it was the first one released, and as the title suggests, the first glimmerings of McLean's desire to push beyond the limits of bop are already apparent. They're subtle, of course, and nowhere near as pronounced as they would be in just a few years' time, but -- as with the 1959 material later issued on Jackie's Bag -- hints of Ornette Coleman's stream-of-consciousness melodic freedom are beginning to find their way into McLean's improvisations. His playing is just a touch more angular than the ear expects, especially given the very bluesy nature of pieces like McLean's 11-minute vamp "Hip Strut," and pianist Walter Davis, Jr.'s infectious boogie-woogie "Greasy." Coleman's influence is most apparent on McLean's "Minor Apprehension," where the freewheeling, Coleman-esque main theme is paralleled by trumpeter Donald Byrd in a definite nod to Don Cherry. What's more, drummer Pete LaRoca takes a surprisingly free solo of significant length toward the end of the track. However, the cut that the musicians seem to dig into the most is Davis' twisting, turning bopper "Davis Cup," which sports a rhumba beat and a bevy of exciting solos. It could be argued that McLean never recorded a bad album for Blue Note, and New Soil got his career with the label off to a terrifically stimulating start.” AllMusic Review by Steve Huey
Ratings:
AllMusic : 4.5 / 5 ; Discogs : 4.75 / 5