CiTR

This most personal statement from this great Chicago-born tenor saxophonist, Clifford Jordan, is even more unique because all the tunes save for the standard, "How Deep is the Ocean?", and Tom McIntosh's tune "Malice Towards None" are all written by Jordan. His great sound and individual approach to the tenor is evident here, his high keening sound and blues inflected concept works beautifully. Jordan's main influence was Sonny Rollins but by the time of this recording in late 1961, Jordan was his own man. He's backed here by pianist Cedar Walton. They had met when they were a part of trombonist J.J.Johnson's short-lived sextet of 1960-61. Walton understands Jordan's bright clear ideas and is in tune with Jordan's rhythmic concept. The late Teddy Smith is on bass. Teddy had just arrived on the New York scene and worked very well with drummer J.C. Moses in providing a loose but very solid foundation for Jordan and Walton. This music is firm and rooted in Jazz tradition but has some new and wonderfully innovative properties as well and is an important statement by one of the finest tenor saxophonists to grace the planet.