Inspired by Ornette Coleman, alto saxophonist Jackie McLean ventured into the realm of the avant-garde on his own terms, never abandoning his soulful sense swing and structure. With his 1963 album One Step Beyond he forged a distinctive inside-out sound with a unique quintet featuring Grachan Moncur III, Bobby Hutcherson, Eddie Kahn & Tony Williams. This Blue Note Classic Vinyl Edition is stereo, all-analog, mastered by Kevin Gray from the original master tapes, and pressed on 180g vinyl at Optimal.

Jackie McLean - "Jacknife (Blue Note Tone Poet Edition)". Jackie McLean's evocative 1965 album Jacknife captured the saxophonist in a post-bop mode with trumpeters Lee Morgan and Charles Tolliver, pianist Larry Willis, bassist Larry Ridley, and drummer Jack DeJohnette. McLean's fiery sound ignites modal explorations, churning rhythms, and hard bop grooves. This stereo Blue Note Tone Poet Edition was produced by Joe Harley, mastered by Kevin Gray from the original analog master tapes, pressed on 180g vinyl at RTI, and packaged in a deluxe gatefold tip-on jacket.

Vinyl LP pressing. Jackie McLean's 1962 album Let Freedom Ring reflected the change in the air of the early '60s: both the musical freedoms being explored by the emergent avant-garde movement and the social freedoms sought by the ascendent civil rights movement. This four-song set featuring the alto saxophonist with Walter Davis Jr. On piano, Herbie Lewis on bass, and Billy Higgins on drums melds the bluesy language of hard bop with the bristling energy of The New Thing. McLean's emotive horn wails, shrieks, and soothes as the quartet moves through three striking McLean originals: "Melody For Melonae" (dedicated to his daughter), "Rene" (dedicated to his son), and "Omega" (dedicated to his mother). A plaintive rendition of the Bud Powell ballad "I'll Keep Loving You" rounds out the date.

Limited colored vinyl LP pressing. "Let Freedom Ring" is a landmark jazz album by saxophonist Jackie McLean, released in 1963. It is widely celebrated for it's innovative approach and for marking a pivotal moment in McLean's career, showcasing his transition towards a more avant-garde and experimental style. With Jackie McLean (alto saxophone), Walter Davis Jr. (piano), Herbie Lewis (bass), Billy Higgins (drums), the album blends hard bop with free jazz elements, pushing the boundaries of traditional jazz forms. It features complex, dissonant harmonies and innovative rhythms, exemplifying McLean's move towards a more free-form approach. Released during a period of significant social and political upheaval in the United States, "Let Freedom Ring" reflect themes of freedom and change and it's considered one of McLean's finest works and a critical milestone in the development of modern jazz frequently cited in discussions of pivotal jazz albums from the 1960s. The album stands as a powerful statement of artistic freedom and a testament to Jackie McLean's profound impact on the evolution of jazz. It's blend of traditional and avant-garde elements, coupled with it's social and personal themes, makes it a seminal work that continues to resonate with audiences and musicians alike for innovative approach has solidified McLean's reputation as a forward-thinking artist who helped to expand the vocabulary of jazz

Alto saxophonist Jackie McLean's 1960s output ran the gamut from hard bop to the avant-garde with his 1964 post-bop dates It's Time! And Action splitting the difference. Trumpeter Charles Tolliver had appeared alongside McLean in the horn frontline on It's Time! And returned once again for Action the next month, with McLean opting for Bobby Hutcherson's vibraphone in place of piano, as well as Cecil McBee on bass, and Billy Higgins on drums. The albums leaps out of the gate with McLean's searing title track followed by two pensive Tolliver originals: "Plight" and "Wrong Handle." On a highly original version of the standard "I Hear a Rhapsody" the melody is answered by discordant interjections from the horns before the album comes to a close with McLean's grooving minor key piece "Hootnan."

Vinyl LP pressing. Blue Note Tone Poet Series. Jackie McLean's music weaved in and out of the avant-garde throughout the 1960s with the brilliant 1963 inside-out dates One Step Beyond and Destination... Out! Eventually leading to full-throated free jazz of the 1967 dates New and Old Gospel (featuring Ornette Coleman on trumpet) and 'Bout Soul. Demon's Dance, which was recorded in December 1967, found the alto saxophonist maintaining a decidedly post-bop edge with a spirited quintet comprised of trumpeter Woody Shaw, pianist LaMont Johnson, bassist Scott Holt, and drummer Jack DeJohnette. The six-song set presented a pair of tunes each by McLean, Shaw, and composer Cal Massey with highlights including McLean's churning title track, Shaw's tuneful bossa "Sweet Love of Mine," and Massey's brightly swinging "Message from Trane" in tribute to the great John Coltrane who had passed away early that year. But the album's most striking feature may be the unforgettable cover artwork by Mati Klarwein whose work also graced the cover of Miles Davis' Bitches Brew.

Limited 180gm vinyl LP pressing. Alto saxophonist Jackie McLean had the blues on his mind when he went into the Van Gelder Studio in 1961 to record his hard bop masterpiece Bluesnik with a blazing quintet featuring Freddie Hubbard (trumpet), Kenny Drew (piano), Doug Watkins (bass), and Pete La Roca (drums). The 6-song set of bluesy originals brims with immediacy and vibrancy. Blue Note Classic Vinyl Series is all-analog, mastered by Kevin Gray from the original master tapes.

This summit meeting of the two giants of post-war American jazz attracted enormous attention and accolade from the world jazz fans when released in 1974. Jackie McLean (1931 - 2006) and Dexter Gordon (1923 - 1990) who were at their pinnacle of creative aptitude joined forces to thrill the packed fans at Copenhagen’s Jazzhus Montmartre in the summer of 1973. After 49 years this 180g audiophile version may bring back the heat wave of jazz in Europe of the 70s. “…McLean and Dexter are naturals to play together and on this album they are both at their best.” (B. McRae – Jazz Journal) “This LP is a live recording of the best jazz performance from European live scene of 1973. I firmly believe that this document will carry its immortal value for the years to come…” (Teruo Isono – Swing Journal) 180g Audiophile Vinyl

Jackie McLean - "Tippin' The Scales (Blue Note Tone Poet Series)" - Recorded in 1962 (but not released until 1979), Jackie McLean's album, Tippin' the Scales, found the Blue Note stalwart leading a quartet with Sonny Clark, Butch Warren, and Art Taylor through a stellar set of hard bop including originals by McLean, Clark, and Vernon Duke's "Cabin in the Sky." Produced by Joe Harley and mastered by Kevin Gray. Blue Note Tone Poet Series features all-analog, remastered 180-gram vinyl in deluxe gatefold packaging. Special Pkg:180g Heavy

Limited 180gm vinyl LP pressing. The innovative hard bop of Jackie McLean evolved as the '60s progressed. Inspired by Ornette Coleman, the saxophonist ventured into the avant-garde but never let go of a soulful sense of swing. Destination Out! Was his masterwork of inside-out jazz with Grachan Moncur III on trombone, Bobby Hutcherson on vibes, Larry Ridley on bass and Roy Hayes on drums. Blue Note Classic Vinyl Series is all-analog, mastered by Kevin Gray from the original master tapes.

Vinyl LP pressing. Jackie McLean pushed boundaries in this 1961 recording of A Fickle Sonance. McLean shows his artistry by being one of the few Jazz artists to incorporate freer jazz melodies into his hard-bop style. He raised the bar with his style's evolution was backed by an incredibly talented group of musicians which included Tommy Turrentine on Trumpet, pianist Sonny Clark, bassist Butch Warren, and Billy Higgins on drums.

Winner of the First Prize at the Maria Canals Piano Competition in Barcelona, Viv McLean has performed in all the major venues in the UK as well as throughout Europe, Japan, Australia and the USA. Viv's concerto work includes appearances with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Philharmonia Orchestra, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Halle Orchestra, English Chamber Orchestra, BBC Concert Orchestra, Sinfonia Viva, Orchestra of the Swan, Orchestra of St John's, Northern Chamber Orchestra, Scottish Concert Orchestra and the National Symphony Orchestra under the baton of such conductors as Daniel Harding, Wayne Marshall, John Lubbock, Christopher Warren-Green, Owain Arwell Hughes, Philip Hesketh, David Charles Abell, Stephen Bell, Carl Davis, Christopher George and Marvin Hamlisch. Recent concerto highlights include Mozart K467 with the ECO at the Royal Festival Hall, Grieg with the LPO at the Barbican, Rachmaninov's 3rd Concerto with the RPO in Cambridge, Gershwin, Bernstein, de Falla and Ravel with the Hallé at the Bridgewater Hall, The Sage Gateshead and other venues in the North of England, and Beethoven's 5th Concerto with the Philharmonia at the Royal Festival Hall. Viv has recently been on tour with the London Concert Orchestra where he played Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue in venues including the Royal Festival Hall, Symphony Hall, Bridgewater Hall, St David's Hall Cardiff, Philharmonic Hall Liverpool and Leicester's de Montfort Hall. On this new release, he presents a programme of well-known George Gershwin compositions and transcriptions.

Jackie McLean, an American jazz alto saxophonist, composer, bandleader and educator, who recorded with such Jazz greats as Miles Davis, Charles Mingus and Sonny Rollins is joined on this album "Swing, Swang, Swingin'" with Art Taylor on drums, Walter Bishop Jr.. on piano, and Jimmy Garrison on bass and delivers a great session of tunes. Recorded in 1959, this was Jackie's 2nd album with Blue Note. Includes a swinging version of Cole Porter's "I Love You" and a refreshing & lively take on Irving Berlin's "Let's Face the Music and Dance". Contains 7 songs. The definitive versions of Blue Note are on XRCD24 - the optimization of CD mastering and manufacturing. Plays on all standard CD players.

The sequel to “Dr. Jackle” (SCCD 36005). Then 34 Jackie McLean was already a mature musician with personal style. “...a live recording in which McLean performs with clarity and beauty backed up by a fine rhythm section...” (Thomas Millroth, Orkester Journal)

“The uncompromisingly original” Jackie McLean was the driving force of the early 60s’ Hard Bop and “Free” jazz. Within a year of this live session Jackie cut himself off the recording scene until he reappeared in SteepleChase’s first release “Live At Montmartre” SCCD 31001. “...All modern collections should include a smattering of McLean..” (Jazz Journal) “Jackie McLean, a true, acrobatic talent of alto sax...” (Jazz Hot)