Milt Jackson – Ballads & Blues (Japanese Pressing)

Milt has an assured place among the true great vibraphonists and this album provides ample material to study his technique. He always used a low oscillator setting, and here that, plus his penchant for sustaining notes are employed to great advantage. He is, in many ways, the polar opposite of Lionel Hampton or Terry Gibbs, but in some ways similar to Red Norvo. This album epitomizes his playing.

Of course it’s truly about the music and the sound samples on this page will give you a sonic glimpse into what this album contains. The first six tracks are standards, but the last three are Jackson’s compositions. The latter will provide insights into Jackson’s superb compositional skills that are equal to this virtuosity as a vibraphonist.

This album was recorded over the course of three sessions: two in NYC on January 17 and 21, 1956, and the final on February 14, 1956, at Rudy van Gelder’s Hackensack, NJ studio. Each session was performed by a different line-up, but the theme and overall sound are cohesive and coherent.