Recorded on February 12, 1977 and May 8, 1978
Mal Waldron barely made a misstep during the 1970s, and all of his recordings for Enja are outstanding. The quintet also features Steve Lacy, a long-standing musical partner with whom Waldron formed a special relationship. Later, Waldron and Lacy would often perform as a duo. But this recording features the pair with the powerful combination of trumpeter Manfred Schoof, bassist Jimmy Woode, and drummer Makaya Ntshoko.
One quick note: Be sure to get the CD version that Enja issued in 1998. It includes three bonus tracks with this same ensemble; they were originally issued on the Enja album Moods.
I regard Mal Waldron as a great musical artist who is instantly recognizable for his long, slowly developing compositions and performances based on repeated vamps that never seem to be boring or tiring. He never showcases with rapid playing but lays the foundation for a fascinating ride through what seems like an unhurried long-form development that makes perfect sense. He is especially valuable as an accompanist to more showy players like Joe Henderson, Sonny Fortune, or Ricky Ford. His 1980s duos with Marion Brown are joyful.
ReplyDeleteThe Enja album is terrific. Steve Lacy and Mal go way back in time, having done Lacy's Reflections album in 1958.
Waldron mirrors little of the other things going on in jazz during the 1970s. His work is singularly consistent with his own conceptions regardless of decade.