“New Soil” was the first Jackie McLean album released on Blue Note (although it wasn’t the first session he recorded for the label) and it firmly shows the roots of the classic recordings that would soon follow. Mostly bluesy, the music also stretches out a bit and featured two McLean originals and four (very good) tracks penned by the pianist Walter Davis, Jr. Donald Byrd sits in on the trumpet as does Paul Chambers on bass. All of McLean’s Blue Note albums are worth owning, and “New Soil” is no exception.
Released 1959 : Blue Note Records : Catalog # BLP 4013
Players:
Jackie McLean – Alto Sax
Donald Byrd – Trumpet
Walter Davis, Jr. – Piano
Paul Chambers – Bass
Pete LaRoca – Drums
Jackie McLean – Minor Apprehension from “New Soil”
Jackie McLean – Greasy from “New Soil”