Morgan, Lee: The Rumproller (Blue Note 80) LP

In honor of Blue Note Records' 80th Anniversary, the legendary jazz label is launching the Blue Note 80 Vinyl Reissue Series. Distinct from the Tone Poet Audiophile Vinyl Reissue Series, this second series curated by Don Was and Cem Kurosman features 180g vinyl LP releases in standard packaging with albums spanning the many eras of the label's history presented by themes: Blue Note Debuts, Blue Grooves, Great Reid Miles Covers, Blue Note Live, and Blue Note Drummer Leaders. The series resumes in April 2020 with Part 3 of the Great Reid Miles Covers theme - Jackie McLean – A Fickle Sonance (1961), Dexter Gordon – A Swingin' Affair (1962) and Lee Morgan – The Rumproller (1965).

After trumpeter Lee Morgan set the music world on fire with the runaway success of his hit soul-jazz single "The Sidewinder" in 1964, many artists tried to duplicate his triumphant feat in search of another boogaloo sensation. Even Morgan himself cooked up funky follow-ups using "The Sidewinder" recipe including The Rumproller, which was recorded the next year. Beyond the groovy title tune (which was written by Andrew Hill) the quintet featuring Joe Henderson on tenor saxophone, Ronnie Mathews on piano, Victor Sproles on bass, and Billy Higgins on drums traverses diverse territory from the post-bop of "Desert Moonlight" to the calypso of "Eclipso" to the mournful closing ballad "The Lady" dedicated to Billie Holiday. The ingenious album cover design by Reid Miles is a memorable example of the brilliant typography that made his style so influential.