Milt Jackson • Milt Jackson and the Thelonious Monk Quintet

Review by Jim Todd
This CD presents two complete sessions led by vibraphonist Milt Jackson: one where the eventual members of the Modern Jazz Quartet are joined by saxophonist Lou Donaldson, and eight quartet tracks with Thelonious Monk. (The session with Monk is also on the four-CD set The Complete Blue Note Recordings of Monk's output between 1947 and 1952.) The July 2, 1948, date with Monk was recorded eight months after the pianist's first recordings as a leader. Jackson, responding to the demands of Monk's music with his customary fluid grace, is key to these definitive early recordings of "Evidence," "Misterioso," "Epistrophy," and "I Mean You." Kenny Hagood -- perhaps best known as the vocalist who sang "Darn That Dream" on Miles Davis' Birth of the Cool -- joins the group on two standards. Hagood impresses as he croons unperturbed over Monk and Jackson, whose busy, intertwining lines make for a pleasantly bizarre accompaniment. The April 7, 1952, date with Donaldson does not have the impact of the tracks with Monk. Donaldson's uncomplicated bop is mildly diverting, but it's the consistently brilliant Jackson who commands the listener's attention. Donaldson lays out on four tracks, including the two takes of the set's highlight, Jackson's "Lillie." Here the vibraphonist effortlessly weaves 16th notes across the ballad's accompaniment by his future MJQ partners. As always, it's not Jackson's speed that impresses, it's his taste, musicianship, and artistry. 

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Reseña de Jim Todd
Este CD presenta dos sesiones completas dirigidas por el vibrafonista Milt Jackson: una en la que los eventuales miembros del Modern Jazz Quartet se unen al saxofonista Lou Donaldson, y ocho temas de cuarteto con Thelonious Monk. (La sesión con Monk está también en el conjunto de cuatro CDs The Complete Blue Note Recordings de la producción de Monk entre 1947 y 1952). La fecha del 2 de julio de 1948 con Monk se grabó ocho meses después de que el ocho meses después de las primeras grabaciones del pianista como líder. Jackson, respondiendo a las exigencias de la música de Monk de Monk con su acostumbrada gracia fluida, es clave en estas primeras grabaciones definitivas de "Evidence", "Misterioso", "Epistrophy" y "I Mean You". Kenny Hagood - quizás más conocido conocido como el vocalista que cantó "Darn That Dream" en Birth of the Cool de Miles Davis -- se une al grupo en dos estándares. Hagood impresiona al canturrear imperturbable sobre Monk y Jackson, cuyas líneas ocupadas y entrelazadas hacen un acompañamiento agradablemente acompañamiento. La fecha del 7 de abril de 1952 con Donaldson no tiene el impacto de las temas con Monk. El bop sin complicaciones de Donaldson es ligeramente divertido, pero es el pero es el siempre brillante Jackson el que acapara la atención del oyente. Donaldson se extiende en cuatro temas, incluyendo las dos tomas del punto culminante del set, "Lillie" de Jackson. Aquí el vibrafonista teje sin esfuerzo las notas 16 a través del acompañamiento de la balada por sus futuros compañeros de MJQ. Como siempre, no es la velocidad de Jackson lo que impresiona, sino su gusto la musicalidad y el arte.

Tracklist:
1. Tahiti
2. Lillie
3. Lillie (Alternate Take)
4. Bags' Groove
5. What's New                   
6. What's New (Alternate Take)
7. Don't Get Around Much Anymore
8. Don't Get Around Much Anymore (Alternate Take)
9. On The Scene
10. Evidence
11. Misterioso
12. Misterioso
13. Epistrophy                 
14. I Mean You
15. All The Things You Are
16. I Should Care
17. I Should Care (Alternate Take)

Tracks 1-9:
Lou Donaldson (as - 11, 4, 7, 8 & 9)
Milt Jackson (vib)
John Lewis (p)
Percy Heath (b)
Kenny Clarke (d)

WOR Studios, NYC, April 7, 1952. Recording Engineer: Doug Hawkins

Tracks 10-17: Milt Jackson And The Thelonious Monk Quintet (Blue Note BLP 1509)

Milt Jackson (vib)
Thelonious Monk (p)
John Simmons (b)
Shadow Wilson (d)
Kenny "Pancho Hagood" (Vocal - 15, 16 & 17)

Apex Studios, NYC, July 2, 1948. Recording Engineer: Harry Smith


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