With: Steve Lacy (soprano saxophone), Mal Waldron (piano), Kent Carter (bass), Noel McGhie (drums)
Record date: November 30, 1971
‘Journey Without End’ is a unique record in many aspects. But what makes it most unique is that it was the reboot of the very fruitful relation between Lacy and Waldron. A reboot yes, as they did work together before in the studio on Steve Lacy’s ‘Reflections’ album. Plus they knew each other on a personal level. Both guys were in a very different phase of there musical development in the year 1958 and Mal was a completely different pianist back then. After this Victor release, many were to come and thank God for that: sextets, quintets, quartets and of course the duo’s: Waldron/Lacy is magic. The deep emotional tonality of Lacy’s horn and the dark and warm playing by Mal on piano: it just fits like a glove.
Though they did make better records than this one, the chemistry and magic is definitely already here. And hey, this is a very good record with a very good band. Part from Waldron and Lacy there is the great Kent Carter on bass and the underrated Noel McGhie on drums. Both guys were well known in the freejazz scene both appearing multiple times next to Lacy but also with Noah Howard, Clifford Thornton and more free jazz players.
This is probably one of Mal’s most free and ‘outside’ records together with the record on ‘America’ one year later with a similar group. The duets are definitely more accessible. But mostly thanks to Mal himself, the music still stays pretty structured. But in that structure, all of the players really stretch out. Lacy experiments a lot with the abilities of his instrument, as players like Evan Parker were also doing at the time. He could play a few lines within the chords an then go way outside without making it sound funny or uncomfortable. The way he listens and interacts with both Waldron and Carter is incredible. Lacy really blows free yet it feels very chilled out and at ease. The first two titles were on the previous ‘Skippin’ record also. Where Sonny Grey and Alain Hatot already knew quite good how to handle them, Lacy really kicks ass. Listening to the ending parts of the title song: this is what jazz is all about. It’s feeling, it’s emotion, it’s telepathy between the musicians. Beautiful
Where side A is filled with two Mal compositions, side B is filled with compositions by Lacy. And where the music on side A was more structured, the playing on side B is a bit more free. It really leaves the more conventional chord patterns or rhythms and goes deeper into avant-garde territory. Very refreshing to hear, as the Lacy compositions bring up a different side of Waldron. But he definitely knows how to handle them. It’s probably the first time that I can hear some Cecil Taylor influence. Perhaps influence is a bit of an overstatement, but Mal was definitely aware of him (he knew him personally in the '50's and wrote a tribute later called Free for C.T.). The clusters he plays on ‘I Feel a Draft’ are beautiful. Bone is a bit more structured but still very free. Mal’s solo is stunning on this one. And both Carter and McGhie go crazy on it.
Like so many great records by Mal Waldron, this was released by Victor Japan. And like with all those great Victor releases it’s pretty hard to find and was never reissued on cd. I would love to make a nice Mosaic boxed set with Waldron’s Japanese records…. There’s the official 1972 gatefold release and a reissue on vinyl without a year of release. I’ve got that one and it sounds…. unbelievably good. I don’t know if this was recorded so well or remastered with so much care but the sound quality is incredible. You can hear almost every breath Lacy puts into his horn and it’s like Noel McGhie is playing in your living room. Mal’s a bit far in the mix sometimes but still: this is really how a record should sound.
Both of the issues are pretty expensive and hard to get but it’s not impossible. And it’s definitely worth every penny. This is both essential Waldron as essential Lacy. There are better records by them but part from the historic value: this is some very good music. If you’re a fan of Lacy, Waldron or both of them: get it asap!
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