It seems strange that the music on this CD was not released initially until 1980. Trumpeter Lee Morgan had had an unexpected hit with "The Sidewinder," so his more challenging recordings were temporarily put aside. As it turns out, this was one of Morgan's better sets from the 1960s and he had gathered together quite an all-star cast: altoist Jackie McLean, trombonist Curtis Fuller, pianist McCoy Tyner, bassist Bob Cranshaw, and drummer Art Blakey. They perform "Rigormortis," McCoy Tyner's "Twilight Mist," and three of the trumpeter's originals, including the title cut. The advanced hard bop music still sounds fresh decades later despite its initial neglect.
Tracks
1. Tom Cat
2. Exotique
3. Twice Around
4. Twilight Mist (McCoy Tyner)
5. Riggarmortes
LEE MORGAN trumpet
CURTIS FULLER trombone
JACKIE McLEAN alto saxophone
McCOY TYNER piano
BOB CRANSHAW bass
ART BLAKEY drums
All compositions by Lee Morgan unless otherwise noted
Original recorded on August 11, 1964 at the Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey
Originally issued in 1981 as LT 1058
Blue Note Records RVG Edition 0946 3 37764 2 5 (2006)