Music Monday: More Mal and Overall

I’ve been enjoying more Mal Waldron as I reflect on his centennial. This week, I listened to a couple of Waldron’s less known (or at least less celebrated) albums.

For example, I did not know that he recorded a duet album with Marion Brown in 1988 in Paris. The next year, Waldron and Brown released Much More! (1989). I don’t think this will ever be in heavy rotation in my household, but it’s pretty nice blend of standards and some originals. It’s worth a listen:

I also have been charmed by the deep groove present in Waldron’s 1975 recording with members of the Lafayette Afro Rock Band that Strut Records this September. It’s called Candy Girl (2025) and it put Waldron in a completely different light for me. In fact, I didn’t even know that he played electric piano although I can understand how it would fit his playing style. 

Check it out here:

Finally, I’m always willing to listen to an album of contemporary(ish) covers performed by jazz artists. I usually explain it as jazz’s ongoing conversation with popular music in all forms. 

I’ve also been a fan of Kassa Overall since some of the sets that he released during the pandemic. His most recent studio album is called CREAM. I don’t know many of the performers on it, but it’s good and not cliche at all. Give it a listen!