Liner Notes

Jackie McLean ’s evocative 1965 album Jacknife captured the alto saxophonist in an envelope-pushing post-bop mode. McLean also assembled a deeply engaged rhythm section for the date featuring pianist Larry Willis , bassist Larry Ridley , and drummer Jack DeJohnette . McLean’s fiery sound ignites a wide range of material from the expansive modal explorations of Tolliver’s “On The Nile” to the churning rhythms of DeJohnette’s “Climax” to McLean’s own “Blue Fable,” which delivers a loping melody over shifting feels before settling into a deep pocketed swing for emphatic solos by McLean and Morgan.

The session featured two trumpeters— Lee Morgan and Charles Tolliver —who are heard together to great effect on Morgan’s groovy “Soft Blue,” but otherwise take turns in the spotlight.