New And Old Gospel [Original recording remastered, Original recording reissued]

In my opinion Jackie McLean represents one of Blues Notes' most consistent recording artists and records like "Let freedom ring" or the 2 efforts with the quintet that included trombonist Gracham Monchur III and Bobby Hutcherson demonstrate the lack of fear he had in pushing his music towards the more adventurous realms of jazz in the mid 1960's. However, none of these recordings seem to match the ambition of this record where McLean's edgy alto is coupled with the trumpet of Ornette Coleman, certainly the most controversial of all his choices of a musician with whom to share the front line as his untutored trumpet playing has divided fans since he decided to take up this horn. I would have to admit that this was a factor that had me doubtful of this record at first but I would have to say that this represents Ornette's most informed playing on record on the trumpet that I have heard. He sounds like a cross between Don Cherry and Kenny Dorham and whilst the technique is clearly not great, his trumpet contributes some rewarding solos and gives the front line an edgy degree of uncertainty.

Whilst the trumpet playing of Ornette does tend to steal the headlines on this record, McLean is his usual superb self and demonstrates on this record more than on say "Let Freedom ring" just how much he had absorbed Ornette's more free-booting approach to jazz. At the time this was revolutionary stuff and jazz was on the cusp of become the most strident it had ever beam but nearly fifty years later is it the shear jolity of the music that strikes home. True, the opening track does have its more reflective and sombre moments and the closing composition is more restrained but "Old Gospel" is one of Ornette's most eubullient themes and , underpinned by Billy Higgins' bouyant drumming and pianist Lamont Johnson's gosepl -cum-free piano stylings, this is a song that will be guaranteed to get you reaching for the replay button.

In conclusion, this is a fascinating record and worth checking out for the exploratory nature of the music. However, the over-riding impression this record leaves is one of shear pleasure. Worth the admission money alone for "Old Gospel", the sound isn't quite as crisp as some Blue Note recordings yet would be another of their inspired offerings I would recommend for those looking for something beyond the less interesting, more standard Hard Bop blowing sessions for which the label was more famous.