Lee Morgan
Rumproller (180Gm)

‘The Rumproller’ was recorded on 21st April 1965 and was rush released in response to the unexpected success of ‘The Sidewinder’. Lee Morgan had recorded two sessions in between ‘The Sidewinder’ and ‘The Rumproller’ – the brilliant ‘Search For A New Land’ and sublime ‘Tom Cat’. Neither contained a track that would appeal to a wider audience, than a purely Jazz orientated one. The line-up includes Joe Henderson on tenor saxophone, Ronnie Mathews on piano, Billy Higgins drums and Victor Sproles bass. Andrew Hill’s ‘The Rumproller’ is similar in feel to ‘The Sidewinder’, though a tad slower; it possesses a 60’s swagger with its stepping rhythm. Lee Morgan blows with his customary power. ‘Desert Moonlight’, the first of two Morgan compositions, is a solid Hard Bop number, whilst the second, ‘Eclipso’ is a Bossa-ish blues with an uplifting Caribbean lilt. Wayne Shorter’s ‘Edda’ is a bright and brash slice of mid 60’s Blue Note with a fast pace and a waltz time signature. It is probably the album’s standout. ‘The Lady’ concludes ‘The Rumproller’ on a low-key note, though Morgan’s muted trumpet exudes charm. Strong Blue Note set, immaculately executed.