Jackie McLean has long been one of my favorite jazz alto saxophonists. Like Dolphy, he has a singular voice that is utterly McLean. Unlike Dolphy or say Ornette, McLean was rarely venturing in free jazz territory, but always entertaining and thought-provoking. "Lost" is the highlight of A Fickle Sonance, and Billy Higgins, one of my favorite jazz drummers (up there with Tony Williams, Elvin Jones, Ed Blackwell, Art Blakey, Max Roach), who apparently was partly educated in rhythms by Ed Blackwell, switches back and forth between a funky Latin beat and non-Latin swing. Even Butch Warren, an underrated bassist, gets a little time to shine, quoting what sounds like "Old Devil Moon" to my ears.
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