MAL WALDRON — Free At Last (review)

MAL WALDRON — Free At Last album cover Album · 1970 · Post Bop Buy this album from MMA partners
3.5/5 ·
snobb
Pianist Mal Waldron made his name as Billie Holiday accompanist till her last days, his solo albums in late 50s were all well-made but not virtuosic hard bop. He played with Charles Mingus,recorded "The Quest" with Eric Dolphy - Mal's most significant work of that period and nearly died from a heroin overdose. After long months of rehabilitation in hospital Mal relocated to Europe, where during followed years made strong reputation as one of most respectable American jazz expatriate.

Being always hard-bop rooted, during late 60s-early 70s he evidenced free-jazz influences, "Free At Last" titled album is one of such examples. Being historically more significant as very first release of just founded German ECM label (still without traces of what later will be widely known as "ECM sound"), this album contains Waldron transitional music recorded with acoustic trio (Swiss drummer Isla Eckinger plus another American Clarence Becton on drums).

Being quite free (at least by Maldron standard) this album contains five Mal originals plus ballad "Willow Weep For Me". Mostly up-tempo groovy music includes some longish bassist soloing,but Waldron piano even if a bit freer than usual demonstrates early stage of what later will become his signature style - uncomplicated beat in combination with drone and tuneful non-virtuosic not-too-fast playing.

Album's compositions are still far not so memorable as Waldron later works and rhythm section is all but "free at last" (not Waldron himself is to be honest as well). Mostly interesting as Mal's early step on what very soon will become his visit card, this album is still quite pleasant and far not boring. For ECM collectors original version is a Holy Grail, fortunately reissued on CD by ECM in early 90s(and once again in Japan - in 2014).
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