Mal Waldron Trio
Malcolm Earl Waldron was born on August 16, 1926 in New York. In New York he grew up in the style of Thelonious Monk and played mainly hard bop. He worked with Charles Mingus and was the pianist of Billie Holiday from 1957 to 1959. On this LP he plays with Isla Eckinger on double bass and Clarence Becton on drums.

Production
This is the first edition for ECM that was recorded in the Bauer studio in Ludwigsburg. This extended anniversary edition has been remastered and a few extra songs have been added. For Mal Waldron the first experience with Free Jazz without losing sight of the fact that music must still be organized.

Rating
As we can expect from ECM, this is also an excellent production. The drum of Clarence Becton remains in proportion. The piano nicely placed and the bass formidable in the middle. Enough detail and space to make this an audiophile recording.

Audiophile LP: Rating 

Tracklist

LP 1, side 1
1. Rat now
2. Balladina
3. 1-3-234

LP 1, side 2
1. Rock my soul
2. Willow weep for me
3. Boo

LP 2, side 1
1. 1-3-234 (var)
2. Balladina (var)

LP 2, side 2
1. Boo (var)
2. Willow weep for me (var)