Search - Clifford Jordan :: Bearcat (Mlps)

A fine disc from the master

N. Dorward | Toronto, ON Canada | 10/18/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This disc was recorded about a year after the saxophonist's classic _Spellbound_ date: while it's not up to that disc, it's still an excellent date. The programme is mostly originals: Jordan is one of the most underrated composers of the hard-bop era (only his "Toy" has been much covered by other musicians), & a few of the items on this disc, like the title track, are as subtle & well-made as anything by Benny Golson or Wayne Shorter. The rest of the band consists of Cedar Walton on piano, Teddy Smith on bass & JC Moses on drums. While Walton is his usual quality self, a small caveat about the other two: Smith curiously elects to play in two on almost all tracks, while Moses' eccentric playing is scrappy & sometimes intrusive. (Moses found a more suitable niche later on in free-jazz contexts, playing on discs with Archie Shepp & Eric Dolphy.) But the strange rhythm-section performance isn't more than a minor caveat on a generally strong disc by Jordan that features some of his best originals & most affecting ballad playing (on "How Deep Is the Ocean" and "Malice Towards None")."