Jackie McLean – Jackie’s Bag (1961) [Analogue Productions 2010] SACD ISO + DSF DSD64 + Hi-Res FLAC

Jackie McLean – Jackie’s Bag (1961) [Analogue Productions 2010]
PS3 Rip | SACD ISO | DSD64 2.0 > 1-bit/2.8224 MHz | 62:36 minutes | Scans included | 2,58 GB
or DSD64 Stereo (from SACD-ISO to Tracks.dsf) > 1 bit/2,8 MHz | Full Scans included | 2,5 MB
or FLAC (carefully converted & encoded to tracks) 24bit/96 kHz | Scans included | 1,37 GB

Jackie’s Bag is an album by American saxophonist Jackie McLean recorded in 1959 and 1960 and released in June 1961 by Blue Note. The Allmusic review by Steve Huey awarded the album 4½ stars and stated “the music on Jackie’s Bag finds McLean in a staunchly hard bop mode, with occasional hints of adventurousness”.

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Jackie McLean-4 5 And 6-REMASTERED-24BIT-44KHZ-WEB-FLAC-2014-OBZEN

Jackie McLean-4 5 And 6-REMASTERED-24BIT-44KHZ-WEB-FLAC-2014-OBZEN Download

Jackie McLean-4 5 And 6-REMASTERED-24BIT-44KHZ-WEB-FLAC-2014-OBZEN
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/44,1 kHz | Time – 00:45:21 minutes | 521 MB | Genre: Jazz
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover

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Jackie McLean – New Soil (1959) [Analogue Productions 2010] SACD ISO + Hi-Res FLAC

Jackie McLean – New Soil (1959) [Analogue Productions 2010]
PS3 Rip | SACD ISO | DSD64 Stereo > 1-bit/2.8224 MHz | 44:46 minutes | Scans included | 1,82 GB
or FLAC 2.0 Stereo (converted with foobar2000 to tracks) 24bit/88,2 kHz | Scans included | 907 MB

New Soil wasn’t the first session Jackie McLean recorded for Blue Note, but it was the first one released, and as the title suggests, the first glimmerings of McLean’s desire to push beyond the limits of bop are already apparent. They’re subtle, of course, and nowhere near as pronounced as they would be in just a few years’ time, but — as with the 1959 material later issued on Jackie’s Bag — hints of Ornette Coleman’s stream-of-consciousness melodic freedom are beginning to find their way into McLean’s improvisations. His playing is just a touch more angular than the ear expects, especially given the very bluesy nature of pieces like McLean’s 11-minute vamp, “Hip Strut,” and pianist Walter Davis, Jr.’s infectious boogie-woogie “Greasy.” Coleman’s influence is most apparent on McLean’s “Minor Apprehension,” where the freewheeling, Coleman-esque main theme is paralleled by trumpeter Donald Byrd in a definite nod to Don Cherry. What’s more, drummer Pete LaRoca takes a surprisingly free solo of significant length toward the end of the track. However, the cut that the musicians seem to dig into the most is Davis’ twisting, turning bopper “Davis Cup,” which sports a rhumba beat and a bevy of exciting solos. It could be argued that McLean never recorded a bad album for Blue Note, and New Soil got his career with the label off to a terrifically stimulating start.

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Jackie McLean – Lights Out (1956) [Analogue Productions 2013] SACD ISO + Hi-Res FLAC

Jackie McLean – Lights Out (1956) [Analogue Productions 2013]
PS3 Rip | SACD ISO | DSD64 Stereo > 1-bit/2.8224 MHz | 46:07 minutes | Scans included | 1,87 GB
or FLAC 2.0 (converted with foobar2000 to tracks) 24bit/88,2 kHz | Scans included | 904 MB

Altoist Jackie McLean’s second session as a leader is reissued on this SACD. The music that he makes with trumpeter Donald Byrd, pianist Elmo Hope, bassist Doug Watkins and drummer Art Taylor is essentially hard bop with fairly simple (or in some cases nonexistent) melody statements preceding two romps through the “I Got Rhythm” chord changes, a pair of blues, a thinly disguised “Embraceable You” and a straightforward version of “A Foggy Day”. Enjoyable if not really essential music from the up-and-coming altoist.

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Jackie McLean – Capuchin Swing (1960) [Analogue Productions 2008] SACD ISO + Hi-Res FLAC

Jackie McLean – Capuchin Swing (1960) [Analogue Productions 2008]
PS3 Rip | SACD ISO | DSD64 Stereo > 1-bit/2.8224 MHz | 40:43 minutes | Scans NOT included | 1,64 GB
or FLAC 2.0 Stereo (converted with foobar2000 to tracks) 24bit/88,2 kHz | NO Scans | 763 MB

One of Jackie McLean’s more underrated albums from a plethora of Blue Note releases, 1960’s Capuchin Swing finds the bebop alto saxophonist in fine form on a mix of covers and originals. While his future fascination with Ornette Coleman’s free-form innovations can be sensed in some of the solos here, the majority of the album is in a classic hard bop vein. Like contemporaries Hank Mobley, Sonny Clark, and Lee Morgan, though, McLean doesn’t just churn out pat jam-session fare, but comes up with consistently provocative charts and solos. Eschewing ballads, McLean focuses on mid- to fast-tempo swingers and blues. Standouts include originals like “Francisco” and “Condition Blue” and choice renditions of “Just for Now” and “Don’t Blame Me.” McLean enlists a sparkling lineup of hard bop stars, including trumpeter Blue Mitchell, pianist Walter Bishop, Jr., bassist Paul Chambers, and drummer Art Taylor. Mitchell particularly impresses, matching many of McLean’s own inspired flights with his supple and progressive playing. Along with other fine Blue Note titles like Jackie’s Bag and Bluesnik, Capuchin Swing makes for a great introduction to McLean’s extensive catalog.

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Jackie McLean – 4, 5 and 6 (1956) [Analogue Productions Remaster 2012] SACD ISO + Hi-Res FLAC

Jackie McLean – 4, 5 and 6 (1956) [Analogue Productions Remaster 2012]
PS3 Rip | SACD ISO | DSD64 Stereo > 1-bit/2.8224 MHz | 45:16 minutes | Scans included | 1,90 GB
or FLAC 2.0 Stereo (converted with foobar2000 to tracks) 24bit/88,2 kHz | Scans included | 963 MB

In 1956 Jackie McLean was only beginning to assert himself as a true individualist on the alto saxophone, exploring the lime-flavored microtones of his instrument that purists or the misinformed perceived as being off-key or out of tune. 4, 5 and 6 presents McLean’s quartet on half the date, and tunes with an expanded quintet, and one sextet track — thus the title. Mal Waldron, himself an unconventional pianist willing to explore different sizings and shadings of progressive jazz, is a wonderful complement for McLean’s notions, with bassist Doug Watkins and drummer Art Taylor the impervious team everyone wanted for his rhythm section at the time. The quartet versions of “Sentimental Journey,” “Why Was I Born?,” and “When I Fall in Love” range from totally bluesy, to hard bop ribald, to pensive and hopeful, respectively. These are three great examples of McLean attempting to make the tunes his own, adding a flattened, self-effaced, almost grainy-faced texture to the music without concern for the perfectness of the melody. Donald Byrd joins the fray on his easygoing bopper “Contour,” where complex is made simple and enjoyable, while Hank Mobley puts his tenor sax to the test on the lone and lengthy sextet track, a rousing version of Charlie Parker’s risk-laden “Confirmation.” It’s Waldron’s haunting ballad “Abstraction,” with Byrd and McLean’s quick replies, faint and dour, that somewhat illuminates the darker side. As a stand-alone recording, 4, 5 and 6 does not break barriers, but does foreshadow the future of McLean as an innovative musician in an all-too-purist mainstream jazz world.

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Jackie McLean – Swing, Swang, Swingin’ (19601960/2019) [Official Digital Download 24bit/44,1kHz]

Jackie McLean - Swing, Swang, Swingin' (19601960/2019) [Official Digital Download 24bit/44,1kHz] Download

Jackie McLean – Swing, Swang, Swingin’ (19601960/2019)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/44,1 kHz | Time – 38:17 minutes | 428 MB | Genre: Jazz
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © RevOla

“Swing, Swang, Swinging” is an album by American saxophonist Jackie McLean recorded in 1959 and released on the Blue Note label. This album is a straight ahead affair in which he mostly puts his stamp on standards. Few versions of “Let’s Face The Music And Dance” and “I Love You” have ever had this much intensity and, when McLean digs into the ballad “What’s New”, he gives it a fiery passion that had never been heard before. Jackie McLean not only swings and swangs but he burns with the urgency, agony and ecstasy of the 1960s.
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Jackie McLean – One Step Beyond (1963/2014) [Official Digital Download 24bit/192kHz]

Jackie McLean - One Step Beyond (1963/2014) [Official Digital Download 24bit/192kHz] Download

Jackie McLean – One Step Beyond (1963/2014)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/192 kHz | Time – 37:21 minutes | 1,47 GB | Genre: Jazz
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Digital Booklet, Front Cover | © Blue Note Records

Originally released as Blue Note BLP 4137 (mono) and BST 84137 (stereo)

“In preparing these hi def remasters, we were very conscientious about maintaining the feel of the original releases while adding a previously unattainable transparency and depth. It now sounds like you’ve set up your chaise lounge right in the middle of Rudy Van Gelder’s studio!” – Blue Note President, Don Was.

One Step Beyond was recorded and released in 1963, and features Jackie McLean as a bandleader and alto sax player. It hints at his future movement towards “new jazz”, but is still firmly rooted in hard bop.
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Jackie McLean – Let Freedom Ring (1962/2014) [Official Digital Download 24bit/192kHz]

Jackie McLean - Let Freedom Ring (1962/2014) [Official Digital Download 24bit/192kHz] Download

Jackie McLean – Let Freedom Ring (1962/2014)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/192 kHz | Time – 38:08 minutes | 1,63 GB | Genre: Jazz
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Blue Note Records

Originally released as Blue Note BLP 4106 (mono) and BST 84106 (stereo)

“In preparing these hi def remasters, we were very conscientious about maintaining the feel of the original releases while adding a previously unattainable transparency and depth. It now sounds like you’ve set up your chaise lounge right in the middle of Rudy Van Gelder’s studio!” – Blue Note President, Don Was.

When Jackie McLean’s Let Freedom Ring was released in 1962, it was soon recognized as a landmark and masterpiece in McLean’s discography. A hard bop sax player, McLean explored new avenues in jazz’s avant-garde styles on the album, as well as experimenting with the tonal limits of his instrument.
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Jackie McLean – Destination… Out! (1964/2014) [Official Digital Download 24bit/192kHz]

Jackie McLean - Destination... Out! (1964/2014) [Official Digital Download 24bit/192kHz] Download

Jackie McLean – Destination… Out! (1964/2014)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/192 kHz | Time – 35:03 minutes | 1,39 GB | Genre: Jazz
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Blue Note Records

Recorded on September 20, 1963, Destination… Out! is one of saxophonist Jackie McLean’s best album, full of complexity that demonstrates the his ability as a writer, arranger, and instrumentalist.
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Jackie McLean – Capuchin Swing (1960/2015) [Official Digital Download 24bit/192kHz]

Jackie McLean - Capuchin Swing (1960/2015) [Official Digital Download 24bit/192kHz] Download

Jackie McLean – Capuchin Swing (1960/2015)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/192 kHz | Time – 40:38 minutes | 1,66 GB | Genre: Jazz
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Blue Note Records

Capuchin Swing is an album by American saxophonist Jackie McLean recorded in 1960 and released on the Blue Note label.

One of Jackie McLean’s more underrated albums from a plethora of Blue Note releases, 1960’s Capuchin Swing finds the bebop alto saxophonist in fine form on a mix of covers and originals. While his future fascination with Ornette Coleman’s free-form innovations can be sensed in some of the solos here, the majority of the album is in a classic hard bop vein. Like contemporaries Hank Mobley, Sonny Clark, and Lee Morgan, though, McLean doesn’t just churn out pat jam-session fare, but comes up with consistently provocative charts and solos. Eschewing ballads, McLean focuses on mid- to fast-tempo swingers and blues. Standouts include originals like “Francisco” and “Condition Blue” and choice renditions of “Just for Now” and “Don’t Blame Me.” McLean enlists a sparkling lineup of hard bop stars, including trumpeter Blue Mitchell, pianist Walter Bishop, Jr., bassist Paul Chambers, and drummer Art Taylor. Mitchell particularly impresses, matching many of McLean’s own inspired flights with his supple and progressive playing. Along with other fine Blue Note titles like Jackie’s Bag and Bluesnik, Capuchin Swing makes for a great introduction to McLean’s extensive catalog.
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Jackie McLean – 4, 5 And 6 (1956/2014) [Official Digital Download 24bit/44,1kHz]

Jackie McLean - 4, 5 And 6 (1956/2014) [Official Digital Download 24bit/44,1kHz] Download

Jackie McLean – 4, 5 And 6 (1956/2014)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/44,1 kHz | Time – 45:21 minutes | 542 MB | Genre: Jazz
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Digital Booklet, Front Cover | © Prestige

This album of ballads and burners features sax man Jackie McLean in various small-group combinations. He is joined on three numbers by Hank Mobley and on two numbers by Donald Byrd (one of those numbers also including Mobley). The other three cuts are jazz quartets. Thus, the album title refers to the three personnel configurations used over the two recording dates.

This was McLean’s third album as leader and second for Prestige. The LP at the time helped to establish McLean on the jazz scene. Writing in the original notes, Ira Gitler said, “Jackie McLean is musically coming of age. His playing, out of Charlie Parker and Sonny Rollins, has become a personalized, more individual voice in 1956 and he has not lost any of the basic emotion, swinging qualities that help his style live up to the second syllable of his last name so well.”
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