New York, NY. (Top40 Charts/ 441 Records) - Test of Time Records is proud to announce the reissue release of "New Wine in Old Bottles" by Jackie
McLean with The Great Jazz Trio on April 10, 2007
Recorded on April 6 and 7, 1978 at Sound Ideas Studios in New York, this recording documents a unique pairing of hard-bop alto saxophonist Jackie McLean and The Great Jazz Trio - consisting of Hank Jones on piano, Ron Carter on bass, and Tony Williams on drums. McLean, a native of Harlem in New York City, started playing the soprano saxophone as a teen and quickly switched to the alto saxophone. McLean went on to play with his friend Sonny Rollins from 1948-49 in a neighborhood band under the tutelage of pianist Bud Powell. Through Powell, McLean met Charlie Parker, who became a major influence in his life. McLean made his first recording when he was 19 on Miles Davis' "Dig" album. In the 1950s, McLean played with Charles Mingus and Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers. McLean made his first recording as a leader in 1955 and became a Blue Note artist in 1959. Jackie McLean met Tony Williams for the first time in 1962 when they both played together at a club in Boston. Tony was only 17 years old at the time. Jackie encouraged Tony to relocate to New York and it was Jackie who introduced Tony Williams to Miles Davis, which led to Tony joining Miles‚ band in the spring of 1963. In a reunion of sorts with Tony, and backed by the excellent and extremely tight Great Jazz Trio, Jackie McLean plays two of his well-known compositions, "Little Melonae" and "Appointment in Ghana" the tracks listed appropriately with the word "Again" added on. It is fitting that the album ends with "Confirmation" by Charlie Parker. Sadly, Jackie McLean passed away on March 31, 2006 at the age of 73. His recordings will continue to live on.
In the modern era, it has become increasingly rare for quality collections of superbly preserved projects to get the opportunity to be presented to the public. One such group of remaining rarities is the East Wind collection from Japan. 441 Records Corporation is proud to be able to introduce on CD some of the best sounding Jazz from the late '70s on its new TEST OF TIME trademark that will feature many important, fantastic recordings. The artists include such notables as Art Farmer, Andrew Hill, Hank Jones, Sheila Jordan and Al Haig. The recordings are all upgraded and remastered using the Direct Stream Digital process, which brings alive the original masters. Test of Time's release of this album as one in a series of great recordings exemplifies our central theme of releasing extremely significant historical works. We feel Jazz fans everywhere will embrace these and future titles that have truly withstood the test of time.
Test of Time boasts a complete collection of early The Great Jazz Trio recordings including AT THE VILLAGE VANGUARD VOL. 1 / VOL. 2 / and AGAIN. For fans of Hank Jones, also look for HANKY PANKY with Ron Carter and Grady Tate. For a recent work by The Great Jazz Trio, look for AUTUMN LEAVES and COLLABORATION with Elvin Jones and Richard Davis, and �S WONDERFUL with Jack DeJohnette and John Patitucci, all available from 441 Records.
