"New Soil is arguably among the finest sounding  Blue Note jazz album reissues to date from Analogue Productions. Showcasing the magical touch of engineering genius Rudy Van Gelder, it appears that these master tapes have stood the test of time far better than many others...the album simply exudes transparency, studio presence and lack of distortion." - Myles B. Astor, Positive Feedback,

 

The same formula that made the Fantasy 45 Series perhaps the most successful audiophile reissue collection ever is now being reapplied to Blue Note reissues!

 

New Soil wasn't the first session Jackie McLean recorded for Blue Note, but it was the first one released, and as the title suggests, the first glimpses of McLean's desire to push beyond the limits of bop are already apparent. They're subtle, of course, and nowhere near as pronounced, as they would be in just a few years' time, but – as with the 1959 material later issued on Jackie's Bag – hints of Ornette Coleman's stream-of-consciousness melodic freedom are beginning to find their way into McLean's improvisations. His playing is just a touch more angular than the ear expects, especially given the very bluesy nature of pieces like McLean's 11-minute vamp, "Hip Strut," and pianist Walter Davis Jr.'s infectious boogie-woogie "Greasy." Coleman's influence is most apparent on McLean's "Minor Apprehension," where the freewheeling, Coleman-esque main theme is paralleled by trumpeter Donald Byrd in a definite nod to Don Cherry.

 

Musicians:

Jackie McLean, alto sax

Donald Byrd, trumpet

Paul Chambers, bass

Walter Davis Jr., piano

Pete LaRoca, drums

 

Selections:

1. Hip Strut

2. Minor Apprehension

3. Greasy

4. Sweet Cakes

5. Davis Cup