Jackie McLean [Nature Boy]
Sadly passed away now, McLean recorded this disc 7 years before he died, a ballads album, McLean is more at home in a Hard Bop blowing session, and his acerbic tone doesn't lend itself to slowish ballads very well, plus he wasn't in the best of health, but i'm fond of this session.
Cedar Walton is an ideal Pianist for this disc, the two go well together, and he has thoughtful insights in his solos, a serious mention must be made of the booklet cover shot, one of the most inventive photos i've ever seen, the visual adds to the albums aural appeal.
My favourite track on this disc is the title track Nature Boy, McLean & Walton start with a nearly 2 minute intro/duet, and then Williams & Higgins add an irresistible Drum 'n' Bass groove which McLean solos over, this permeates the whole thing, this is why i love this track so much, there's some very tasty Drumwork by Higgins starting around 5:22 onwards into the Bass solo, right at the end there's an inventive slowdown, and it quiets down to silence, it's wonderful how McLean blows down to a whisper right to the end!.
You can hear Jackie McLean playing Nature Boy on YouTube.
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