Another great one on Steeplechase, recorded in 1974. This is my latest McLean in terms of the span of his career. Have several from his 50’s and 60’s output. He’s always been a favorite. Great to hear him on this one in the 70’s. The music is some lovely post-bop played by cats of which the majority I haven’t listened to before. We have Billy Skinner on trumpet, Jackie’s son Rene who I know, Billy Gault on piano, James ”Fish” Benjamin on double bass and Michael Carvin on drums.
This is a prime example of stuff I’ve been missing out on when I was stuck in the 50’s and 60’s. I’ve found the 70’s to be one of the most interesting eras of jazz.
In terms of favorite tunes out of the five on this all-the-way-through great album, I’ll mention the oriental flavored ”Star Dancer” and the airy, uplifting ”Adrian’s Dance”, both composed by trumpeter Billy Skinner. Skinner also composed one of the other numbers and two tunes were composed by pianist Billy Gault.
Highly recommended.