Steve Lacy & Mal Waldron - At the Bimhuis 1982 (Daybreak/Challenge, 2006)

This post is by Scott

Steve Lacy (ss); Mal Waldron (p)

Recorded on December 10, 1982

This 2006 archival release features two of Thelonious Monk's foremost disciples, Steve Lacy and Mal Waldron.  Three of the fives cuts on At the Bimhuis 1982 are Monk masterpieces: "Reflections," "'Round Midnight," and "Epistrophy."  Waldron contributes "Snake Out," and the album opens with Lacy's "Blues For Aïda."

Of course, by the time of this recording, both Waldron and Lacy had long since developed their own highly personal voices on their respective instruments.  But the trait that they continued to share with Thelonious was the ability to suggest worlds with the most minimal of resources.  This duo's bare outlines seem like exotic symphonies.   

Lacy and Waldron were long-time collaborators.  This recording is one of the earliest in a series of masterful duo recordings for Hat hut, Soul Note, and others.  Every single one of their collaborations are worth exploring.  But there is something special about this particular recording; it's one of their best.