Jackie McLean’s 1960s Blue Note output is a fascinating body of work,
especially viewed with the benefit of hindsight. In between recording 2
venturous modernist sessions—Let Freedom Ring and One Step Beyond—that
would set the tone for the alto saxophonist’s future explorations, came
the seemingly more conventional and relaxed quartet date Tippin’ The
Scales. Recorded in September 1962 but not released until 1979, the date
featured McLean with Sonny Clark on piano, Butch Warren on bass, and
Art Taylor on drums delivering a swinging hard bop set that presented 2
originals by McLean (“Tippin’ the Scales” and “Rainy Blues”) along with 3
by Clark (“Nursery Blues,” “Nicely,” and “Two For One”), as well as a
tender version of Vernon Duke’s “Cabin in the Sky.”
Blue Note Tone Poet Series
The
Tone Poet Audiophile Vinyl Reissue Series was born out of Blue Note
President Don Was’ admiration for the exceptional audiophile Blue Note
LP reissues presented by Music Matters. Was brought Joe Harley, a.k.a.
the “Tone Poet,” on board to curate and supervise a series of reissues
from the Blue Note family of labels. Extreme attention to detail has
been paid to getting these right in every conceivable way, from the
jacket graphics and printing quality to superior LP mastering (direct
from the master tapes) by Kevin Gray to superb 180g audiophile LP
pressings by Record Technology Inc. Every aspect of these Tone Poet
releases is done to the highest possible standard. It means that you
will never find a superior version. This is IT.
This stereo Tone
Poet Vinyl Edition was produced by Joe Harley, mastered by Kevin Gray
(Cohearent Audio) from the original analog master tapes, pressed on 180g
vinyl at Record Technology Inc. (RTI), and packaged in a deluxe
gatefold tip-on jacket.
Tracklist:
A1: Tippin' The Scales
A2: Rainy Blues
A3: Nursery Blues
B1: Nicely
B2: Two For One
B3: Cabin In The Sky