Not really particularly “Out”, this is more like ambitious, noir-ish, post-bop. One of several albums McLean did in partnership with trombonist Moncur. With three of the songs from Moncur, and one from McLean, musically, this album is a little more Moncur than McLean.
The overall strategies for the pieces are pretty traditional, (just “head, solos, head,”) but the heads themselves are pretty complex. “Esoteric”, in particular, is just bonkers. Kudos to Haynes and Ridley for keeping it together on that one!
Actually, everyone is great here, particularly Hutcherson, Moncur, and the aforementioned Haynes.
Just the sort of thing that would have black turtle-necked beatniks snapping their fingers and shouting, “Go, Daddy-O, Go!” between sneaking out to smoke a joint, score, or discuss their etchings with fetching young things from Peoria.
#JackieMcLean #GrachanMoncurIII #BobbyHutcherson #LarryRidley #RoyHaynes #TodaysCommuteSoundtrack
