Lee Morgan's Tom Cat

1. "Tom Cat" (Lee Morgan) – 9:50

2. "Exotique" (Morgan) – 9:34

3. "Twice Around" (Morgan) – 7:36

4. "Twilight Mist" (McCoy Tyner) – 6:57

5. "Rigormortis" (J. Del, Henry Glover, Morris Levy) – 7:27

A beautiful album with a strong lineup. Tyner on keys works well with Morgan's fiery hard-bop base while Blakey, McLean, who was becoming more adventurous, too, and Fuller mesh with Morgan's hard bop roots. "Rigormortis" and "Twilight Mist" are two highlights, especially the propulsive swing of Blakey and Tyner's introspective piano and Morgan's energetic blasts of energy and soul into "Rigormortis." While retaining the characteristic funky blues sound of The Sidewinder and other typical Morgan releases of the 1960s for Blue Note, this album is more progressive and forward-thinking, almost as much as Search for the New Land, where Morgan and company embraced modal and avant-garde influences. Although I feel that Fuller's trombone is unnecessary overall to the album, because I usually prefer to not hear the clunky, awkward tone of the trombone, Fuller's solos are limited. Blakey, one of my favorite jazz drummers, keeps things interesting with his Afro-Latin-esque brief solos but mostly serves as a timekeeper who injects African vitality to the fun romp that is "Rigormortis." The bluesy funk of "Tom Cat" is delectable, too, although sounding perhaps too much like Morgan's schooling days in Blakey's Jazz Messengers, though never reaching the heights of "Moanin', but McLean's solos here and on "Exotique" are stirring alongside accompaniment from Tyner. With a great lineup and good Morgan material, this album is highly recommendable, accessible, and worthwhile for any fan of Morgan, Blakey, or even Tyner.