Considered one of his strongest Blue Note outings, Capuchin Swing basically forced McLean to bring in some heavyweights to help define and deliver his vision. First and foremost was Blue Mitchell’s forceful trumpet, chosen to counterpoint the leader’s alto, that was in a feisty mood of it’s own throughout the sessions. Having Walter Bishop, Jr. on piano, Paul Chambers’ bass and Art Taylor banging skins frees the leader’s mind of worry rhythm-wise, allowing him and Mitchell to co-explore new heights of interplay. The intensity on McLean originals such as “Francisco”, “Condition Blue” and the title tune are both riveting and sometimes draining, while Bishop contributes both “Just For Now” plus another dedication to the label founder, “On The Lion”.

Newly-remastered for vinyl as part of an overall Blue Note 75th anniversary vinyl reissue campaign spearheaded by current Blue Note Records President, Don Was.