(1976) Mal Waldron/Jackie McLean - Like Old Times ***1/2

 

With: Jackie McLean (alto saxophone), Mal Waldron (piano), Isao Suzuki (bass), Billy Higgins (drums)
Record date: April 12, 1976

As I mentioned before, from the year 1973 Mal became less active in recording. After one year of complete studio silence (1975) Mal recorded his last record for Victor Japan. It was a reunion with old friend Jackie McLean. It was McLean who played alto saxophone on Mal Waldron’s Bethlehem album ‘Left Alone: an album that wasn’t really noticed by anybody in the US but was a bestseller in Japan. Part from that occasion, the two musicians worked together plenty of times in the ’50’s as both were recording regularly for Bob Weinstocks Prestige label. According to Mal himself, it was Jackie who introduced Mal to Prestige records.

The album really is a remembrance of old times. While both of the musicians are known also for music that pushes the boundaries of jazz, exploring more free territories of the genre, this album is pretty straightforward. The songs of choice are all pretty safe as well with a few standards here and there. The starting J.M.’s Dream Doll with it’s waltzing theme is also one of the highlights with excellent support by Waldron and a great solo by McLean. McLean, is in pretty good shape with his tone that always sounds ice cold and cozy warm all at once. His playing is bluesy and sometimes dissonant as we know him, although the dissonance on ‘I Love You, Porgy’ is sometimes more a bit out tune to be honest. I’m A Fool To Want You is a great intimate duet between the two. And yes, their sounds are a pretty good combination. Lovely solo by Mal there too. The B side is made up of three more songs including the one that made them famous in Japan: ‘Left Alone’.

The album is not very popular on some music rating websites. I do think I know why that is. Musically and technically there’s nothing wrong with it. But for two musicians with their skills, capabilities and originality, this is a bit of a boring record. There was so much more potential. If they took some more time, wrote 4 originals and took some more time too practice this could have been a masterpiece. They also should have given Suzuki and Higgins some more space. Both Waldron and McLean definitely still had something to say in these years but on this record this don’t say so much. On the other hand: it is an album that swings and it’s a pleasure to listen to it. All of the four guys could really, really play.

Again a Victor release without a cd version. It was brought out once in 1976 but that one is not very hard to find. And as always, Victor Japan does stand for quality. Recommended for Waldron and McLean fans looking for a straight ahead bop session. But do not expect much more than that.