'Bout Soul

'Bout Soul
Studio album by Jackie McLean
Released	January 1969 [1]
Recorded	September 8, 1967
Studio	Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, NJ
Genre	Free jazz
Length	41:05
Label	Blue Note BST 84284
Producer	Francis Wolff
Jackie McLean chronology
New and Old Gospel (1967) 'Bout Soul (1969) Demon's Dance (1967)

'Bout Soul is an album by American saxophonist Jackie McLean recorded in 1967 and released on the Blue Note label. ^[2] It features McLean in a quintet with trumpeter Woody Shaw, pianist LaMont Johnson, bassist Scotty Holt and drummer Rashied Ali. Trombonist Grachan Moncur III guests on three tracks, and Barbara Simmons recites the words on "Soul".

Reception

The AllMusic review by Stephen Thomas Erlewine stated:

This is intensely cerebral music that is nevertheless played with a fiery passion. Although the music was all composed, it is played as if it was invented on the spot. Fans of McLean's straight-ahead hard bop, or even of his adventurous mid-'60s sessions, might find this a little off-putting at first, but 'Bout Soul rewards close listening. It is one of McLean's finest modern contemporary sessions

— Erlewine, S. T. Allmusic Review

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic	[3]
DownBeat	[4]
The Rolling Stone Jazz Record Guide	[5]

Track listing

1. "Soul" (Grachan Moncur III, Barbara Simmons) - 10:17
2. "Conversion Point" (Jackie McLean) - 9:47
3. "Big Ben's Voice" (LaMont Johnson) - 10:08
4. "Dear Nick, Dear John" (Scotty Holt) - 4:56
5. "Erdu" (Johnson) - 5:57
6. "Big Ben's Voice" [Alternate take] - 9:55 Bonus track on CD reissue

Personnel

• Jackie McLean  – alto saxophone
• Woody Shaw  – trumpet (tracks 1–3, 5 & 6)
• Grachan Moncur III  – trombone (tracks 1, 2 & 5)
• LaMont Johnson  – piano
• Scotty Holt  – bass
• Rashied Ali  – drums
• Barbara Simmons – recitation (track 1)

References

1. Schwann Monthly Guide to Stereo Records, 1970
2. Jackie McLean discography accessed October 18, 2010
3. Erlewine, S. T. Allmusic Review accessed October 18, 2010
4. Down Beat: May 29, 1969 vol. 36, no. 11.
5. Swenson, J., ed. (1985). The Rolling Stone Jazz Record Guide . USA: Random House/Rolling Stone. pp.  136. ISBN   0-394-72643-X.