Under The Jasmin Tree

THE MODERN JAZZ QUARTET
Under The Jasmin Tree
Apple SAPCOR4
Recorded 1968

Side One

1. Blue Necklace
2. Three Little Feelings, Pts. 1-3

Side Two

1. Exposure
2. Jasmine Tree

PERSONNEL

JOHN LEWIS; piano
MILT JACKSON; vibes
PERCY HEATH; bass
CONNIE KAY; drums

This 1968 LP from the longest lived group in jazz remains one of their more unusual, as much for the circumstances surrrounding it than the music itself. It's the first of 2 records they recorded for The Beatles' Apple label in the late 1960s. The MJQ found themselves on Apple more by accident than design - Ron Kass, Apple's business manager was a closet jazz fan and saw an opportunity to bring one of his favourite groups to a wider audience by association with The Beatles. That plan was a failure, this album being released in such small numbers that rock fans couldn't make the discovery, and even jazz fans found it difficult to get hold of. The same was true of the follow up, 1969's 'Space', meaning that original pressings of both now go for significant amounts of money (see this link for an example). Thankfully both LPs saw a rerelease (and remaster) on both vinyl and CD in 1993, and are now a little easier to find.

The music is in the main typical MJQ - studied and delicate collective improvisation based around John Lewis' piano figures forming a contrast to Milt Jackson's bluesier approach on vibes. Of special note is the three part suite, 'Three Little Feelings' that makes up side one - three tracks in very different moods linked by a haunting minor chord theme by Lewis. Their music always made good use of space, and this approach is clearly seen here - perhaps this aspect of their music suited the psychedelic surroundings of Apple records better than the busier free-jazz or hard-bop of the period.

That said, psychedelia doesn't seem to have touched the MJQ here (apart from that sleeve). It's more a case of the times catching up with them than the other way around. This is an LP well worth seeking out for any modern jazz fan, just be wary of paying inflated prices.