Title: An alternative path for 60s jazz
Product review: By this stage in his prolific recording career McLean had moved decisively away from the changes based hard bop sound of his 50s releases toward a more open / freer / modal approach, but without sacrificing his melodic invention. This release is a totally successful alternative to the freer direction that jazz was moving toward in the 60s with Ornette, Cecil etc. McLean knew that he didn't want to go that far, but also that he had to find his own way to move on. Together with other like minded players - Andrew Hill, Bobby Hutcherson, Joe Henderson for example - they forged what at the time must have sounded like a compromised version of the "new thing", but today makes you wish that more players had worked in this area which cooly and intelligently adds to the jazz tradition in a very measured way. McLeans's alto sound is sour and fantastic, making him a direct predecessor to Roscoe Mitchell to these ears.
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