Ow! Two-track mono rules!
mondodave | Los Angeles, Ca. United States | 10/16/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The original title of this was "Presenting Lee Morgan," and it's a stone cooker. Any band that contains Horace Silver, Philly Joe Jones, and Wilber Ware has got to deliver, in spades. Lee's alto playing front line cohort is a dude named Clarence Sharpe, who has apparently disappeared into jazz oblivion. Too bad, because he cuts Jackie Mclean a new one on this session. I still find it hard to believe that Lee was only eighteen back in '56 when they recorded this, because his technique is almost fully developed. His style can only be described as extroverted. As usual, this is a blowing session, with a couple Benny Golson tunes, as well as one of Horace's funky minor-keyed heads. There's also some beautiful ballad work by all around. If you dig Blue-note, this won't disappoint!"
Red Hot
cta_chester | 07/08/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Lee's debut album can only be described as "sensational." He was only eighteen at the time, yet he was playing with such power and dexterity, he really made the session come alive. It's a shame we don't hear much of the alto man Clarence Sharpe, because he was truely wonderful on the session. The rhythm section(Horace, Wilbur and Philly Joe) is on top form, and Horace's track, Roccus which opens the set has an infectious Latin Groove. All the other tracks are brilliant as well, especially "The Lady," written by Owen Marshal, who was in fact an old friend of Lee's, from Philadelphia.
I highly recomend!"
Track Listings (6) - Disc #1