Album of the week - Lee Morgan ‘Search For The New Land’

Lee Morgan was 2nd only to Miles Davis as the most important trumpeter of the late ‘50s all thru the ‘60’s. However, unlike Miles, Lee actually crossed over and scored a pop hit (1964’s infectious boogaloo cooker ‘The Sidewinder’). The downside of this success was that Blue Note Records shelved Lee’s far headier planned followup LP (this one), for a series of records that tried to duplicate the commercial success of ‘The Sidewinder’. Search For A New Land was finally released in 1966, two years after it was recorded.

Lee Morgan assembled a staggering group of talented musicians on Search For The New Land; a virtual whos who of young cats that were making big waves in the world of soul-jazz : Herbie Hancock, Grant Green, Billy Higgins, Wayne Shorter, and Reggie Workman. The title track shows these musicians engaging in a series of conversation-like solos that are beautifully forward thinking, linked together by ambient, free time passages that evoke the struggle for civil rights. No lyrics were necessary. The title alone says it all. I’m not a big fan of jazz guitar in general, but I practically worship Grant Green. I’d say Robbie Krieger listened to this album closely, as his jazzier soloing takes an obvious cue from Grant’s playing. Essentially, it’s one of the most incredible pieces of music I’ve ever heard.

The other major piece here is ‘Mr Kenyatta’; a salute to anti-colonialist Kenyan Prime Minister Jomo Kenyatta. Herbie Hancock is especially notable here, as his playing is virtuosic, but swings mightily along with Billy Higgins intense drumming. He plays a lot of notes, but none of them are wasted.

The gorgeous ballad ‘Melancholee’ (cute pun) features another of Grant Green’s most lyrical solos, with Herbie Hancock once again showing that he may well be the greatest pianist of them all.

Lee’s playing throughout this album is regal in its confidence and tone. An absolute must hear, even if jazz isn’t your thing.