Mal Waldron Trio Free At Last (Extended Edition) (2 LP)

An unmissable Anniversary Edition on two 180-gram LPs!
ECM re-proposes in an unmissable double LP of 180 grams carefully remastered, revisited and enriched with alternative takes, lyrics and unpublished photographs its very first album, recorded in November 1969, starring the great American pianist Mal Waldron, whose vast curriculum includes a long series of prestigious collaborations with artists of the caliber of John Coltrane, Charlie Mingus, Eric Dolphy and Billie Holiday.
Reviewing this record, the critic of the authoritative Jazz Journal wrote: "The music has the same freshness as it had when it was recorded". In fact, the subtly groove tones of "Boo" and "Rock My Soul" could very well be performed in nightclubs as they regularly did over half a century ago. This unmissable Extended Anniversary Edition is rightly released on an audiophile double LP.
"ECM’s Records’ 50th anniversary culminates with its 1969 first release, with former Billie Holiday piano accompanist Mal Waldron’s ‘Free At Last’. It’s inimitably gritty, unsentimental piano trio improvising, but with Spartan melodies always uppermost, despite the title." - John Fordham, The Guardian
"This is a hugely welcome re-issue, and would be a welcome addition to anyone’s collection who has not previously heard this remarkable music. This was the fledgling ECM’s very first recording, and how perceptive was Manfred Eicher to record Waldron at this juncture in his career and in a setting that was pretty new to the pianist, at one where he was preparing to meet some demons head on. […] This newly released 2LP set presents the original album on sides 1 and 2, with the ‘extended edition’ being previously unreleased takes on sides 3 and 4. Recorded fifty years ago the music stands the test of time extremely well. Uncanny how Eicher manages to get it spot on with his first release, and this music is testament to his unwavering belief and self discipline. Kicking off with ‘Rat Now’ by Mal Waldron, all the material was written by the pianist with the exception of ‘Willow Weep For Me’, the trio get things off to a most satisfying start, and over the course of ten minutes drive things along at a fair clip but always focused on the material. […] Released late on in the year, but pretty much essential listening. Highly recommended to those that have heard the originally released album, and a must have purchase for anyone new to this first and important in the ECM catalogue." - Nick Lea, Jazz Views
"‘Mal Waldron Trio Free At Last Expanded Edition’ is another significant achievement for ECM. The sound quality of the re-mastered vinyl is superb (kudos to original engineer Kurt Rapp and producers Manfred Eicher and Manfred Scheffner). There is a palpable intimacy to the music. The instrumental precision of piano, drums and double bass is rendered with a delicate touch. The overall mix is balanced and the instruments blend organically. The gatefold packaging is lavish, especially the stunning black and white cover by Rufus Vedder." - Robbie Gerson, Audiophile Audition
"A fresh opportunity to enjoy its taut sound and angular rhythms. But it’s also a chance to reflect on ECM itself, which, under the perspicacious guidance of producer Manfred Eicher, has become one of the world’s most important music imprints." - DW, The Boston Globe
"Some may rub their ears here, because what you hear is by no means the typical ECM sound, the sound aesthetics that will make the label famous, but rather edgy trio jazz, which has real free passages ready (which are nevertheless - as Waldron puts on record - well thought out and organized). But 'Free At Last' is also a proof of how open ECM was and still is for music of all kinds. Now with the complete versions of the tracks, which at that time had to be shortened due to the capacity of individual record pages, unpublished session photos and texts as an extended edition. Gorgeous and only on vinyl!" - Tilman Urbach, Jazzthing
"Its explorative nature and sense of abstraction would go on to become a crucial component in ECM’s ethos. What’s unique about this particular reissue is that Eicher – who rarely offers additional material on ECM’s reissues – has unearthed an LP’s worth of fascinating, previously unheard, alternate takes." - Charles Waring, Record Collector
"This reissue, a handsomely packaged gatefold double album, underlines the vital input of African-Americans in the ECM story, but perhaps more importantly, it makes the essential point that Waldron was a piano great who we ignore at our peril […] ‘Free At Last’ was an explicit reference to the free jazz movement but with the caveat that Waldron heard structure rather than chaos in the controversial approach of some of his peers […] as he shows with the fine reprise of ‘Willow Weep For Me’, Waldron still knew how to bring a ballad to life, as if Billie remained his guiding light, an angel perched on his shoulder." - Kevin Le Gendre, Echoes

• Double LP
• 180g Vinyl
• Extended Anniversary Edition
• Recorded at Musikstudio Bauer, Ludwigsburg, November 1969
• Gatefold jacket
• Made in Germany

• Mal Waldron, piano
• Isla Eckinger, double-bass
• Clarence Becton, drums