The Modern Jazz Quartet Lonely Woman

180g High Quality Pressing!
Re-mastering by Ray Staff at Air Mastering!
The album of the same name, released by Atlantic in 1962, proves to be one of the best performances of the group. Lewis and the other members of the MJQ, namely Milt Jackson, Percy Heath and Connie Kaye, capitalize on the dramatic theme of "Lonely Woman" while adding a little complex chamber music to the mix. The quartet doesn't take Coleman's harmonolodic theory of free form to heart in a round of Donquixotic solos, but the group sheds light on the often overlooked strength of his compositional ideas. While the MJQ continues to prove its skilful playing with complicated pieces based on originals by Lewis, such as "Fugato" and "Trieste", the group balances the album with looser material that harmonizes better with Jackson's penchant for blues and swing. A great record, perfect for the curious jazz lover.
Having sponsored Ornette Coleman at the School of Jazz near Lennox, MA, pianist and composer John Lewis helped launch the controversial career of one of the last great innovators in jazz. Lewis' support of the ragtag Texas native was somewhat unique in jazz circles at the time and even surprising, especially considering the gulf between the classical jazz formality of his group the Modern Jazz Quartet and Coleman's radical notions of free improvisation. Nevertheless, Lewis not only saw in Coleman the first jazz genius since bebop's Parker, Gillespie, and Monk, but put pay to the praise with the MJQ's 1962 rendition of one of Coleman's most famous numbers, "Lonely Woman." (Along with Art Pepper's 1960 version of "Tears Inside," this was one of the earliest of Coleman covers done.)
The 1962 Atlantic album of the same name turns out to be one of the band's best efforts. Lewis and fellow MJQ members Milt Jackson, Percy Heath, and Connie Kaye capitalize on the dramatic theme of "Lonely Woman" while adding a bit of chamber music complexity to the mix. The quartet doesn't take Coleman's free form harmolodic theory to heart with a round of quixotic solos, but the group does spotlight the often overlooked strength of his compositional ideas. And while the MJQ further plies its knack for involved pieces on Lewis originals like "Fugato" and "Trieste," the group also balances out the set with looser material more in tune with Jackson's blues and swing sensibilities.

Features:

• 180g High Quality Pressing
• Re-mastering by Ray Staff at Air Mastering at Air Mastering, Lyndhurst Hall, London

Musicians:

• Milt Jackson, vibraphone
• John Lewis, piano
• Percy Heath, bass
• Connie Kay, drums

Selections:

Side A
1. Lonely Woman
2. Animal Dance
3. New York 19
4. Belkis
Side B
1. Why Are You Blue
2. Fugato
3. Lamb, Leopard (If I Were Eve "Original Sin")
4. Trieste