Let Freedom Ring is a landmark jazz album by saxophonist Jackie McLean, released in 1963. It is widely celebrated for its innovative approach and for marking a pivotal moment in McLean’s career, showcasing his transition towards a more avant-garde and experimental style. With Jackie McLean (alto saxophone), Walter Davis Jr. (piano), Herbie Lewis (bass), Billy Higgins (drums), the album blends hard bop with free jazz elements, pushing the boundaries of traditional jazz forms. It features complex, dissonant harmonies and innovative rhythms, exemplifying McLean’s move towards a more free-form approach. Released during a period of significant social and political upheaval in the United States, ‘Let Freedom Ring’ reflect themes of freedom and change and it’s considered one of McLean’s finest works and a critical milestone in the development of modern jazz frequently cited in discussions of pivotal jazz albums from the 1960s. The album stands as a

Tone Poet Audiophile Vinyl Reissue Series!
Mastered by Kevin Gray at Cohearent Audio from Original Analog Tapes!
Produced by Music Matters’ Joe Harley!
Pressed at RTI!

Jackie McLean’s 1962 albumLet Freedom Ringreflected the change in the air of the early ’60s: both the musical freedoms being explored by the emergent avant-garde movement and the social freedoms sought by the ascendent civil rights movement. This four-song set featuring the alto saxophonist withWalter Davis, Jr.on piano,Herbie Lewison bass, andBilly Higginson drums melds the bluesy language of hard bop with the bristling energy of The New Thing. McLean’s emotive horn wails, shrieks, and soothes as the quartet moves through three striking McLean originals: “Melody for Melonae” (dedicated to his daughter), “Rene” (dedicated to his son), and “Omega” (dedicated to his mother). A plaintive rendition of the Bud Powell ballad “I’ll Keep Loving You” rounds out the date.

The Tone Poet Audiophile Vinyl Reissue Series was born out of Blue Note President Don Was’ admiration for the exceptional audiophile Blue Note LP reissues presented by Music Matters. Was brought Joe Harley, a.k.a. the “Tone Poet,” on board to curate and supervise a series of reissues from the Blue Note family of labels.

Extreme attention to detail has been paid to getting these right in every conceivable way, from the jacket graphics and printing quality to superior LP mastering (direct from the master tapes) by Kevin Gray to superb 180g audiophile LP pressings by Record Technology, Inc. Every aspect of these Tone Poet releases is done to the highest possible standard. It means that you will never find a superior version. This is IT.

This stereo Tone Poet Vinyl Edition was produced by Joe Harley, mastered by Kevin Gray (Cohearent Audio) from the original analog master tapes, pressed on 180g vinyl at Record Technology, Inc. (RTI), and packaged in a deluxe tip-on jacket.

Tracklist

1. Melody For Melonae
2. I’ll Keep Loving You
3. Rene
4. Omega