JACKIE MCLEAN — Demon's Dance (review)

JACKIE MCLEAN — Demon's Dance album cover Album · 1970 · Post Bop Buy this album from MMA partners
3.5/5 ·
Abraxas
Jackie McLean was a well-known hard bop alto saxophonist among jazz musicians through the late 50s; however I've always found his 60s post-bop material to be more exciting, featuring many great jazz players such as Hancock, Hutcherson, Moncur III, Morgan, et al.

It's in the case of Demon's Dance, released in 1967, where trumpet virtuoso, Woody Shaw, and the relentless drummer, Jack DeJohnette appear. Accompanied by the lesser known LaMont Johnson on piano, assimilating the McCoy Tyner style which is utterly fantastic, and Scott Holt on bass.

In almost all cases where Shaw participated, he leaves his trademark, both in his unique playing and compositions. Here we have two of his compositions, 'Boo Ann's Grand' and 'Sweet Love of Mine', both clearly post-bop pieces which resemble the 60-63 period of John Coltrane; great soloing from Jackie and Woody, and outstanding performance of DeJohnette.

The title track and 'Floogeh' are also post-bop pieces with the hard bop roots of Jackie heard clearer than in the Shaw pieces. The other two compositions are from trumpeter Cal Massey, 'Toyland' a nice ballad showing Jackie's emotional side, while 'Message from Trane' finishes the album with more quality post-bop, although probably the least memorable of the bunch.

Demon's Dance is definitely another solid and highly enjoyable album from McLean, although Jackie plays it safe without any innovations or more adventurous compositions like many contemporary post-bop records to this, or even compared to his own releases. Anyway with the addition of a Klarwein cover art, although rather creepy in this case and may mislead jazz purists, what else would you want?

Fans of Coltrane, Shorter and the like, shouldn't hesitate in getting this if you're in the need of yet another minor jazz gem.
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