Mal Waldron One More Time

One More Time is an intimate portrait of two neglected masters with a third master, Steve Lacy, stepping in to add his low-key tip of the hat. Mal Waldron and Jean-Jacques Avenel are the focus of this release that serves as a tribute to Waldron, one of jazz's most versatile pianists who died in 2002. One More Time was recorded and released in 2002, and features Steve Lacy's long time bassist Jean-Jacques Avenel who often played and recorded with Waldron. Two tracks feature Steve Lacy and two tracks feature Waldron's solo piano. This is an exceptional recording. The sound quality is superb and Waldron's crystalline technique and classical background are more evident than on most of his recordings.

Mal Waldron's recording debut as a leader presents the pianist with his many gifts already well developed. For the 1956 quartet date, he takes charge to strike a balance between the sound of a blowing session and the refinement of a more polished date. The spontaneity is there, but the set also benefits from Waldron's thoughtful charts. At this stage of his development, Waldron was a distinctive bop pianist whose occasional sputtering, knotty phrasing revealed the acknowledged influence of Thelonious Monk, as well as similarities with contemporaries Al Haig and Bud Powell. For this set, though, the focus is not on Waldron's playing, but on his ability to lead from the piano bench…

Mal Waldron was a remarkably versatile piano player, able to work in many different contexts, from Billie Holiday to Eric Dolphy. This ability made him invaluable as musical director for Prestige Records, where the recording dates were often little more than jam sessions. Soul Eyes: The Mal Waldron Memorial Album collects 11 tracks, recorded between 1955 and 1962, that Waldron played on and/or led, including a mammoth version of the title cut, featuring John Coltrane, Kenny Burrell, Paul Chambers, and others, that clocks in at 17-plus minutes. Although all the cuts have been previously released (not always under Waldron's name), it's nice to have this overview of one of his most fertile periods.

This solo set by pianist Mal Waldron serves as a perfect introduction to his unique style during the more recent part of his career. Waldron performs four standards (including "Night In Tunisia" and "I Should Care") which show off his roots, but most significant are his lengthy "Free For C.T." and "Variations On A Theme By Cecil Taylor." It is always very interesting to hear musicians who started out in straightforward hard bop stretching themselves and playing quite freely. This recording rewards repeated listenings.

Mal Waldron - The Complete Remastered Recordings On Black Saint & Soul Note (2012) {4CD Set CAM Jazz BXS 1014}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 1.34 Gb | MP3 @320 -> 528 Mb
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© 1986, 1989, 2012 CAM Jazz London / Kepach Music | BXS 1014
Jazz / Hard Bop / Post Bop / Piano

Four more boxed sets from CAM Jazz presenting the complete works of key artists from the catalogues of the famed Italian labels. Attractively presented, Excellent sound. INCLUDES THE ALBUMS: THE GIT GO - LIVE AT THE VILLAGE VANGUARD (1987) THE SEAGULLS OF KRISTIANSUND (1989) CROWD SCENE (1992) WHERE ARE YOU? (1994). The four albums recorded by Soul Notes are greats. Two of them are for the same concert at Village Vanguard in 1986 with Woody Shaw, Charles Rouse, Regie Workman and Ed Blackwell. Great group, great concert. Only five themes in two CD, incredible improvisation a very good recorded. "The git go" and "The seagull of Kristiansund" are pure jazz in live.

Part of the ultimate audiophile Prestige stereo reissues from Analogue Productions — 25 of the most collectible, rarest, most audiophile-sounding Rudy Van Gelder recordings ever made. All cut at 33 1/3 and also released on Hybrid SACD. All mastered from the original analog master tapes by mastering maestro Kevin Gray.

Part of the ultimate audiophile Prestige stereo reissues from Analogue Productions — 25 of the most collectible, rarest, most audiophile-sounding Rudy Van Gelder recordings ever made. All cut at 33 1/3 and also released on Hybrid SACD. All mastered from the original analog master tapes by mastering maestro Kevin Gray.