It was Charles Mingus who, in the mid-1950s, firsttried to alter Jackie McLean’s playing style, whichwas fully entrenched in Charlie Parker’s sound atthe time. “I never really sounded like Bird, but thatwas my mission”, said McLean during a WBGO radiointerview. “I didn’t care if people said that I copiedhim; I loved Bird’s playing so much. But Minguswas the one that really pushed me away from theidea and forced me into thinking about having anindividual sound and concept.” McLean (born in NewYork on May 17, 1931; he died on March 31, 2006, atthe age of 73) is featured here on his LP New Soil.Although it wasn’t the first session he recorded forBlue Note, it was the first one released. As the titlesuggests, McLean’s main goal on this album was togo beyond the limits of bop.

JACKIE McLEAN, alto saxDONALD BYRD, trumpetWALTER DAVIS Jr., pianoPAUL CHAMBERS, bassPETE LA ROCA, drumsVan Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs,New Jersey, May 2, 1959.Original recordings taped by Rudy Van Gelder& produced by Alfred Lion.*BONUS TRACKS:Same personnel except SAM JONES (bass)& ART TAYLOR (drums).Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, May 31, 1959.[Originally issued on Walter Davis’ LP Davis Cup(Blue Note BLP4019)].

• 1. Hip Strut
• 2. Minor Apprehension
• 3. Loddle-Lot
• 4. Greasy
• 5. Sweet Cakes
• 6. Davis Cup
• 7. Millie's Delight