Happy Birthday Jackie McLean!

Remembering saxophone great Jackie McLean with a Gil Noble interview and some thoughts on Jackie from Sonny Rollins. 

Happy Birthday Jackie McLean!

Remembering saxophonist and educator Jackie McLean on his birthday with a short documentary and interview.

Midweek Mixdown: Unfold with Tru Thoughts' Robert Luis

Here's an eclectic 2hr set presented by Robert Luis including Emnative, Jackie McLean, Bembe Segue and Hemai. 

Here's the scoop...

Robert Luis is the co-founder, co-owner and A&R for the Brighton-based record label Tru Thoughts (http://www.tru- thoughts.co.uk). This edition of his Unfold show features deep jazz beats from Emanative with Liz Elensky, classic UK street soul from Courtney Buchannon, the new single from Tru Thoughts signing Tiawa (sung in Portuguese), Bacao Rhythm & Steel Band's cover of Jay-Z & Timbaland's "Dirt Off Your Shoulder," broken beat from Swell Session featuring Yukimi Nagano (Little Dragon) on vocals, UK garage from WTS, instrumental goodness from the new Hemai album, a great reissue of the Jackie McLean & Michael Carvin dancefloor jazz epic "De I Comahlee Ah," new funky disco from The Fantastics, and some classic hip hop from A Tribe Called Quest, Kool G Rap & DJ Polo, Souls Of Mischief and Roxanne Shante. 

Have a listen right here. 

Unfold tracklist from May 23, 2021

Roy Ayers - Everybody Loves The Sunshine (Nirobi No Drums Edit)

Tiawa - Sonhos Cor De Rosa (Tru Thoughts)

Courtney Buchannon - R U Conscious (Hip Hop Mix) (Conscious)

Emanative & Liz Elensky - Fall In To Me feat Ben Hadwen (Home Planet)

Soul Supreme - Huit October (Soul Supreme)

Bacao Rhythm & Steel Band - Dirt Off Your Shoulder (Big Crown)

Sampology - Memories In Flight (Middle Name)

Swell Session - I See Through You feat Yukimi Nagano (Hollow)

WTS feat Colette Van Sertima - Everything Is Beautiful (Charles Jay Remix) (What’s That Sound)

WheelUP - Fusion feat Bembe Segue (Tru Thoughts)

Alb-Ert - For Soho (1080P)

Lay-Far - Love So Deep (Axe Traxx)

Jackie McLean & Michael Carvin - De I Comahlee Ah (Melodies International)

Sun Palace - Rude Movements (Kenny Dope Dancefloor Powder Remix) (Alim)

The Fantastics! - Take A Shot feat Sulene Fleming (Richard Earnshaw's Little Big Extended Mix) (BBE)

Koothu – Shaanti (4NCY)

Hemai - Gone Surfing (Tru Thoughts)

Kool G Rap & DJ Polo - Ill Street Blues (Cold Chillin)

Souls Of Mischief - 93 Till Infinity (Jive)

A Tribe Called Quest - Luck Of Lucien (Instrumental) (Jive)

Roxanne Shante - Have A Nice Day (Breakout)

Jazzman offers a spiritual jazz tour through SteepleChase catalogue

Although nothing shockingly rare is uncovered, the SteepleChase volume is a solid set of uplifting swingers.

Here's the scoop...

Founded in 1972, SteepleChase Records is one of the most significant and prolific European jazz record labels. With a catalogue running to well over 200 titles, the Copenhagen-based imprint has recorded and released music from some of the greatest names in jazz, including Dexter Gordon, Andrew Hill, Archie Shepp, Jackie McLean, Clifford Jordan, Paul Bley, Cedar Walton, Lee Konitz, Horace Parlan, Nat Adderley, Chet Baker and Stan Getz. 

Starting out by recording visiting Americans when they performed at the legendary Café Montmartre, founder Nils Winther was encouraged to start the label by none other than the great Jackie McLean, who was the first artist to release a record on the new imprint. 

From there, Steeplechase rapidly grew into one of the foremost labels to document European jazz with all its distinctive originality and style. With a particular emphasis on recording front rank American artists who had chosen the expatriate life in Europe, Steeplechase was first in line to document the sounds of the greats as they developed in exile. 

Featuring in-demand tracks from the likes of Billy Gault, Johnny Dyani and Khan Jamal, and unearthing deep cuts from greats like Jackie McLean and Mary Lou Williams, Spiritual Jazz 11: SteepleChase pays tribute to one of Europe's most important jazz labels. Have a listen after the track listing. 

Various Artists – Spiritual Jazz 11: SteepleChase

1. Mary Lou Williams - Ode To Saint Cecilie 05:57

2. Billy Gault - The Time Of This World Is At Hand 07:14

3. Sam Jones - Jean Marie 06:56

4. René McLean - Aida 05:32

5. Jim McNeely - Tipe Tizwe 04:25

6. Johnny Dyani - Magwaza 13:07

7. Jackie McLean & Michael Carvin - De I Comalee A 11:42

8. Ken McIntyre - Miss Priss 06:16

9. Khan Jamal - Dark Warrior 06:27

10. Jackie McLean & The Cosmic Brotherhood - Camel Driver (2LP only) 08:54

11. Michael Carvin - Naima 08:28

R.I.P. Larry Willis, 1942-2019

Sadly, jazz keyboardist and bandleader Larry Willis passed away on Sunday in Baltimore. He'll be greatly missed. 

Midweek Mixdown: The Jazz Kid

Enjoy this dope "Deep & Spiritual Jazz" mix put together by The Jazz Kid

Deep & Spiritual Jazz Vol. 3 (March 2014) by The Jazz Kid on Mixcloud

Track listing: 
1.The Time Of This World Is At Hand by Billy Gault 
2.Black Land Of The Nile by Masequa Myers 
3.John Coltrane (Live) by the Clifford Jordan Quartet 
4.Afro Blue by Dee Dee Bridgewater 
5.Creole Girl by Noah Howard 
6.Love And Hate by Jackie McLean 
7.Moon Child by Doug Carn 
8.My Africa by The Pyramids 
9.Capra Black by Billy Harper