The eleventh volume of this superb series lands in Demark, the home of Nil Winther’s Steeplechase imprint that, in its time, featured an array of US jazz talent including Dexter Gordon, Andrew Hill, Jackie McLean, Horace Parlan, Chet Baker and Stan Getz. Winther’s began by recording visiting Americans when they performed at the legendary Café Montmartre. Jackie McLean, who was the first artist to release a record on the new label, encouraged Nils to form the Steeplechase logo. Esoteric, modal and deep jazz from 1968-77′, this volume lives up to the standards set by the previous releases, a lot of the work here represents unsungs acts whose efforts went largely ignored at the time of release but finally have their moment to shine. Mary Lou William’s swaggering ‘Ode To Saint Cecile’ glows, Sam Jones’ muscular ‘Jean Marie’ is superb as are the bustling ‘De I’ from Jackie McLean and Michael Cravin, the more mellow ‘Aida’ from Rene McLean (son of Jackie) and the surging ‘Dark Warrior’. Hard to call out any track on what is a brilliant collection but check out the lurching ‘Magwaza’ for some African influences or the trickling Eastern vibes of ‘Tipe Tizwe’ from Jim McNeely. Stunning!
Track listings:
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01 Ode To Saint Cecile by Mary Lou WIlliams
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02 The Time Of This World Is At Hand by Billy Gault
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03 Jean Marie by Sam Jones
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04 Aida by Rene McLean
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05 Tipe Tizwe by Jim McNeely
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06 Magwaza by Johnny Dyani
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07 De I Comahlee Ah by Jackie McLean & Michael Carvin
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08 Miss Priss by Ken McIntyre
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09 Dark Warrior by Khan Jamal
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10 Camel Driver by Jackie McLean & The Cosmic Brotherhood
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11 Naima by Michael Carvin
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