Jackie McLeans 1962 albumLet Freedom Ringreflected the change in the air of the early 60s: both the musical freedoms being explored by the emergent avant-garde movement and the social freedoms sought by the ascendent civil rights movement. This four-song set featuring the alto saxophonist withWalter Davis Jr.on piano,Herbie Lewison bass, andBilly Higginson drums melds the bluesy language of hard bop with the bristling energy of The New Thing. McLeans emotive horn wails, shrieks, and soothes as the quartet moves through three striking McLean originals: Melody For Melonae (dedicated to his daughter), Rene (dedicated to his son), and Omega (dedicated to his mother). A plaintive rendition of the Bud Powell ballad Ill Keep Loving You rounds out the date.

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: Melody For Melonae
A2: I’ll Keep Loving You

B1: Rene
B2: Omega