A Fickle Sonance – Mclean, Jackie – LP – Brand New Vinyl (Arrives in 20days)

Released in 1962, ‘A Fickle Sonance’ finds alto saxophonist Jackie McLean at a vibrant crossroads in his career, bridging the hard bop he helped define with a restless urge for experimentation. Joined by a formidable lineup—Tommy Turrentine on trumpet, Sonny Clark on piano, Butch Warren on bass, and Billy Higgins on drums—McLean navigates both angular melodies and soulful grooves, unafraid to push the harmonic envelope. The album’s title hints at instability, and indeed, the music is thrillingly unpredictable: from the jagged head of the title track to the brooding introspection of ‘Five Will Get You Ten,’ every cut is a showcase of McLean’s distinctive, searching tone. Not just a document of its era, ‘A Fickle Sonance’ stands out as a daring statement from an artist unafraid to venture beyond the familiar. For collectors and listeners drawn to the boldest edges of the Blue Note catalog, this record is essential—a testament to jazz’s capacity for both tradition and transformation, and a vivid portrait of McLean’s artistic evolution. Spin it and discover the thrill of jazz in motion.