Record date: November 1,2 & 3, 1988
For his first Alfa release (I think Alfa Japan was the first to release it, as the Timeless versions are licensed from them) Mal went into the studios to record with one of his finest trio’s. It’s his third album that’s made in honor of Lady Day. On bass is Paulo Carduso, a Brazilian bassist that is fairly unknown. And he should be better known as his bass playing with Mal is always superb. John Betsch is better known, yet he remains very much underrated in comparison to other jazz drummers from the ’70’s spiritual jazz scene. On this trio both play subdued as the music is very straight-ahead. But the details they bring into the music are formidable.
As I mentioned: this is a very straightforward piano trio session and definitely one of Mal’s more accessible one’s. Quite a difference from albums like Black Glory for example. I dare to state that this one of Mal’s albums you could easily give a spin at dinner with your parents in law. You could also read the Saturday morning paper with it. But the music is never dull and definitely not in the category of background music. It has a beautiful simplicity over it. The way Carduso dances around Mal’s simple yet so effective statements on the piano is so nice to listen to. Mal’s solos are shining excellence, piece by piece, no exceptions. When he plays standards solo it gets a bit too much of the same but in trio form he sounds more creative. The little details Betsch provide in the background, giving solid support, is quite a contrast with his more free drumming. But it shows just what a versatile drummer he is.
This really is one of my all time favorite Waldron records. Not groundbreaking or exciting like some of his other works but I could listen to this for hours without getting bored for a second. Mal made a couple of albums for Alfa Jazz in trio form, with Charlie Mariano and a bigger group. I think this release was also originally released on Alfa Jazz but can’t find that one Discogs. I think the info there is not correct. I myself got the Timeless release which sounds great, with Carduso nice up front in the mix to give it an extra swinging feel. The liner notes are nothing special by the way. Solid Japan released a budget version this year. This is highly recommended music and a nice look into the gentle side of Mal Waldron. A side that became more and more visible in his later years.
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