Vertigo is an album by American saxophonist Jackie McLean, recorded in 1962 and 1963 but not released on the Blue Note label until 1980.Jackie McLean discography, accessed October 15, 2010. The initial release contained only the five tracks from 1963 (with the additional track "Formidable" from 1959, later released as a bonus track on New Soil), while the later 2000 limited CD edition, released as part of the "Connoisseur Series", added six tracks from a 1962 session originally marked for release as Jackie McLean Quintet (BLP 4116), first issued in 1978 as part of a double LP entitled Hipnosis.
Reception The AllMusic review by Scott Yanow stated that "the music ranges from catchy funk and hard bop to strong hints of the avant-garde".Yanow, S. [ AllMusic review], accessed October 15, 2010. The JazzTimes review by Bill Shoemaker said: "McLean really doesn't stray far from the winning Blue Note formula of smartly constructed hard bop and blues on the date, which, given the groundswell stemming from One Step Beyond and Destination... Out! explains why the date was withheld."Shoemaker, B. JazzTimes review, June 2000.
Track listing All compositions by Jackie McLean, except where indicated.
Original LP (1980) "Marney" (Donald Byrd, Bernard Herrmann) - 6:17 "Dusty Foot" (Byrd) - 6:57 "Formidable" (Walter Davis, Jr.) - 6:16 "Vertigo" - 8:20 "Cheers" - 4:56 "Yams" (Herbie Hancock) - 8:02
Recorded on May 2, 1959 (3), and February 11, 1963 (all others).
Personnel
Tracks 1,2,4,5 & 6 Jackie McLean - alto saxophone Donald Byrd - trumpet Herbie Hancock - piano Butch Warren - bass Tony Williams - drums
Track 3 Jackie McLean - alto saxophone Donald Byrd - trumpet Walter Davis Jr. - piano Paul Chambers - bass Pete LaRoca - drums
CD reissue (2000) "Marney" (Byrd, Herrmann) - 6:17 "Dusty Foot" (Byrd) - 6:57 "Vertigo" - 8:20 "Cheers" - 4:56 "Yams" (Hancock) - 8:02 "The Three Minors" - 6:05 "Blues in a Jiff" (Sonny Clark) - 7:12 "Blues for Jackie" (Kenny Dorham) - 7:53 "Marilyn's Dilemma" (Billy Higgins) - 5:03 "Iddy Bitty" - 8:17 "The Way I Feel" (Butch Warren) - 7:05
Recorded on June 14, 1962 (6–11), and February 11, 1963 (1–5).
Personnel
Tracks 1–5 Jackie McLean - alto saxophone Donald Byrd - trumpet Herbie Hancock - piano Butch Warren - bass Tony Williams - drums
Tracks 6–11 Jackie McLean - alto saxophone Kenny Dorham - trumpet Sonny Clark - piano Butch Warren - bass Billy Higgins - drums
Charts Weekly charts + Weekly chart performance for Vertigo Chart (2026) Peakposition Greek Albums (IFPI) 61
Monthly charts + Monthly chart performance for Vertigo Chart (2026) Peakposition German Jazz Albums (Offizielle Top 100) 13
References