Kenny
Dorham's Matador can safely claim the all too common distinction of
being a classic among jazz connoisseurs while virtually unknown to the
casual listener. Dorham is joined here by Jackie McLean, Bobby Timmons,
Teddy Smith, and J.C. Moses, all of whom deliver outstanding
performances. More than anything, this session is perhaps best known for
including a stunning version of McLean's composition "Melody for
Melonae," used less than a month earlier on his groundbreaking Blue Note
LP Let Freedom Ring. For this session, though, the tune is renamed
"Melanie" and, if not better, this version at least rivals the take
under McLean's leadership. For starters, the addition of another horn
adds some tonal depth to the proceedings, a situation arguably lacking
in the tune's earlier recording. Also of note is what has to be Bobby
Timmons' most intense moment on record. One rarely has the opportunity
to hear Timmons dig and scrape as hard as he does during this solo, and
his barely audible vocal accompaniment (à la Bud Powell) only helps to
prove this point. This is a case where a performer not commonly
associated with seriously stretching out goes at it with a
life-affirming fervor, making "Melanie" a treat for listeners who revel
in emotional performances. Other highlights include the opener, "El
Matador," a 5/4 number that, frankly, fades out just when things were
getting good, and the otherwise unaccompanied Dorham/Timmons duet,
"Prelude." A fantastic session by any standard. Brandon Burke
1 El Matador 6:32
Kenny Dorham
2 Melanie, Pts. 1-3 11:34
Jackie McLean
3 Smile 5:00
Charlie Chaplin / Geoffrey Parsons / John Turner
4 Beautiful Love 5:13
Haven Gillespie / Wayne King / Egbert VanAlstyne / Victor Young
5 Prelude 4:47
Heitor Villa-Lobos
6 There Goes My Heart 5:12
Benny Davis / Horace Silver
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – Jackie McLean
Bass – Teddy Smith
Drums – J.C. Moses
Piano – Bobby Timmons
Trumpet – Kenny Dorham 
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