My Conception

My Conception
Studio album by
Released1979
RecordedDecember 8, 1957
March 29, 1959
Van Gelder Studio, Hackensack
GenreJazz
Length39:36 original LP
61:16 2000 CD reissue
LabelBlue Note
GXF 3056
ProducerAlfred Lion
Sonny Clark chronology
Blues in the Night
(1958)
My Conception
(1979)
Leapin' and Lopin'
(1961)
Alternative cover
2000 CD edition
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic[1]
The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings [2]

My Conception is an album by jazz pianist Sonny Clark, recorded for the Blue Note label and performed by Clark with Donald Byrd, Hank Mobley, Paul Chambers, and Art Blakey. It was originally released in 1979 in Japan, as GXF 3056, featuring six tracks recorded in 1959 including an alternate take of "Royal Flush", a track that had appeared on the album Cool Struttin'. The 2000 limited CD reissue also comprised the three additional tracks originally recorded for Sonny Clark Quintets, an album which never saw the light of the day until being released later only in Japan.[3]

The album was awarded 4 stars in an Allmusic review by Michael G. Nastos which stated "Sonny Clark's conception of modern jazz is not far removed from his peer group of the late '50s, in that advanced melodic and harmonic ideas override the basic precepts of swing and simplicity. What sets Clark apart from other jazz pianists lies in his conception of democracy to allow his bandmates to steam straight ahead on compositions he has written with them in mind... Except the extraordinary Leapin' and Lopin', this album of contrasts, depth, and spirit showcases Clark's dual concepts brilliantly, and is only a half step below his best".[4]

  1. ^ Allmusic Review
  2. ^ Cook, Richard; Morton, Brian (2008). The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings (9th ed.). Penguin. p. 254. ISBN 978-0-141-03401-0.
  3. ^ Sonny Clark discography accessed December 22, 2009.
  4. ^ Nastos, M. G. Allmusic Review accessed December 22, 2009.