ALBUM REVIEWS : *** 1/2 JACKIE McLEAN “Dynasty” <i> Triloka : </i>

Recorded in the studio with a “live” audience, “Dynasty” easily re-establishes Jackie McLean as one of the world’s pre-eminent jazz alto saxophonists. What a pleasure it is to hear his passionately wailing alto saxophone sound again. In an era of David Sanborn clones, McLean’s warmly variable musical personality, a redefinition of the horn’s capabilities, is welcome, indeed.

This is the most vigorous recorded outing McLean’s had since his return to active playing (after a two decade hiatus in the education world). Accompanied by his regular rhythm section of pianist Hotep Galeta, bassist Nat Reeves and drummer Carl Allen, plus his son, Rene McLean on flute, tenor and soprano sax, McLean is at the top of his form. On an original, “Bird Lives,” and Burt Bacharach’s ballad, “A House Is Not a Home,” McLean simmers with predictably boppish vitality. More surprising are his adventurous, outward reaching solos on Rene McLean’s two originals, “Dance Little Mandissa” and “J. Mac’s Dynasty.”