JACKIE MCLEAN & MICHAEL CARVIN ‘De I Comahlee Ah’

Jackie McLean’s alto sax blazed a trail through the 60s with a gobsmacking run for Blue Note and we don’t need a second invitation to wax lyrical about our pepper toned prince. And, although his recordings for the Steeplechase label aren’t celebrated in the same manner, sometimes you’re struck by a jolt from an unexpected source: the Melodies Record Club is a new venture which aims to release DJ and musician curated mini compilations. A great idea, and first up, Four Tet has plumped for De I Comahlee Ah from our man Jackie’s studio collab with percussionist, Michael Carvin. Originally nestled at the end of their Antiquity album, it has been dusted down and presented in its unedited form – apparently it was originally trimmed to fit the full LP. The track is a feat of multi-tasking which Carvin says involved the pair removing their shoes to glide around the studio between instruments to capture the track without overdubs. It’s a wonderful loose limbed party that Four Tet has regularly dropped during DJ sets. And, on the flip, is Chris McGregor’s Brotherhood Of Breath – MRA which is more of a straight ahead sunny day affair with an hypnotic grumpy piano line we adore.