Grachan Moncur III - Evolution (1964/2022) [Vinyl]

Landmark material – one of Grachan Moncur's two classic albums for Blue Note, and a session that ranks as one of the best examples of the 'new thing' moment in 60s jazz!

Grachan Moncur III was (along with Roswell Rudd) the premier trombonist in the American 1960's jazz avant-garde. Moncur's style was of the times--gruff, mercurial, and urgent. Yet 1964's „Evolution“ is one of those Blue Note albums where hard bop and the avant scene overlap. The lineup is a who's-who of the label's best: drummer Tony Williams, altoist Jackie McLean, and vibraphonist Bobby Hutcherson, performers mostly known for straight-ahead styles but who also dipped into freer waters when called upon.

„Evolution“ is all original Moncur compositions, which inspires these players to really push the envelope (especially McLean who always shone with the trombonist). Moncur's themes are moody, angst-ridden, and somewhat ominous, but they're also thoroughly absorbing and stimulating. For those liking the edgier side of Blue Note's catalog, „Evolution“ is essential.

'What makes its music exceptional is that the trombonist doesn't try to represent natural selection pictorially or programmatically, but makes it the substance of his harmonic and rhythmic argument.' (The Wire)

Recorded at the Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey on November 21, 1963
Engineered by Rudy Van Gelder
Produced by Alfred Lion

Grachan Moncur III (trombone)
Lee Morgan (trumpet)
Jackie McLean (alto saxophone)
Bobby Hutcherson (vibraphone)
Bob Cranshaw (bass)
Anthony Williams (drums)