Album: The Modern Jazz Quartet, Bluesology, (Atlantic)

A timely reappraisal for the monumental MJQ, whose reputation has rather slipped over the years.

Over two discs (one studio, one live), compiler Florence Halfon presents some rare treats from the Atlantic vaults, including guest appearances by Jimmy Giuffre and Sonny Rollins and a (rather portentous) version of “Lonely Woman”. The live album is the more successful, but it can still be hard to take the relentless tastefulness, and the over-sweet vibes and piano combination.