'Bout Soul cover

'Bout Soul

Released

Alto saxophonist Jackie McLean unleashed a torrent of ‘60s albums that pushed the jazz tradition into multiple new directions, from ambient abstraction to fiery free-blowing dates. And while 1967’s ‘Bout Soul features many of the same players from those groups (a crack band with trumpeter Woody Shaw, trombonist Grachan Moncur III, and drummer Rashied Ali), it’s the contributions of Barbara Simmons on the title track that stands apart. Her spoken word recital about just what soul might/ might not be is feisty and righteous in equal measure. And the band is wise enough to give her plenty of space to speak her mind.

Andy Beta

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