LEE MORGAN – The Sidewinder (1963-2013) RM | Serie Blue Note The Masterworks | SHM-CD | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Carried by its almost impossibly infectious eponymous opening track, The Sidewinder helped foreshadow the sounds of boogaloo and soul-jazz with its healthy R&B influence and Latin tinge. While the rest of the album retreats to a more conventional hard bop sound, Morgan's compositions are forward-thinking and universally solid. Only 25 at the time of its release, Morgan was accomplished (and perhaps cocky) enough to speak of mentoring the great Joe Henderson, who at 26 was just beginning to play dates with Blue Note after getting out of the military. Henderson makes a major contribution to the album, especially on "Totem Pole," where his solos showed off his singular style, threatening to upstage Morgan, who is also fairly impressive here. Barry Harris, Bob Cranshaw, and Billy Higgins are all in good form throughout the album as well, and the group works together seamlessly to create an album that crackles with energy while maintaining a stylish flow. Stacia Proefrock
Tracklist :
1 The Sidewinder 10:21 
Lee Morgan
2 Totem Pole 10:11
Lee Morgan
3 Gary's Notebook 6:10
Lee Morgan
4 Boy, What a Night 7:34
Lee Morgan
5 Hocus Pocus 6:25
Lee Morgan
- Bonus Track -
6 Totem Pole 9:57
Lee Morgan
Credits:
Bass – Bob Cranshaw
Drums – Billy Higgins
Piano – Barry Harris
Recorded By [Recording By] – Rudy Van Gelder
Tenor Saxophone – Joe Henderson
Trumpet – Lee Morgan