BLUE MITCHELL - Step Lightly (1963-2015) RM / BLUE NOTE MASTERWORKS / SHM-CD / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Trumpeter Blue Mitchell's Blue Note debut went unissued for 17 years, only coming out on this 1980 LP (not yet reissued on CD). The set must have been lost in the shuffle, for the music is consistently excellent. Mitchell, tenor saxophonist Joe Henderson, altoist Leo Wright, pianist Herbie Hancock, bassist Gene Taylor, and drummer Roy Brooks perform four originals and obscurities, plus lyrical versions of "Sweet and Lovely" and "Cry Me a River." Worth searching for. by Scott Yanow
Tracklist:
1 Mamacita 5:46
Joe Henderson
2 Sweet and Lovely 7:44
Gus Arnheim / Jules LeMare (Chas. N. Daniels) / Harry Tobias
3 Andrea 5:13
Roger Boykin
4 Step Lightly 8:33
Joe Henderson
5 Cry Me a River 6:45
Arthur Hamilton
6 Bluesville 4:07
Sylvester Kyner
Credits:
Alto Saxophone – Leo Wright
Bass – Gene Taylor
Drums – Roy Brooks
Engineer – Rudy Van Gelder
Piano – Herbie Hancock
Tenor Saxophone – Joe Henderson
Trumpet – Blue Mitchell

LEE MORGAN - The Rajah (1966-2014) RM / SHM-CD / BLUE NOTE MASTERWORKS / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This long-lost Lee Morgan session was not released for the first time until it was discovered in the Blue Note vaults by Michael Cuscuna in 1984; it has still not been reissued on CD. Originals by Cal Massey, Duke Pearson ("Is That So") and Walter Davis, in addition to a couple of surprising pop tunes ("What Not My Love" and "Once in My Lifetime") and Morgan's title cut, are well-played by the quintet (which includes the trumpeter/leader, Hank Mobley on tenor, pianist Cedar Walton, bassist Paul Chambers and drummer Billy Higgins). Much of the music is reminiscent of The Jazz Messengers and that may have been the reason that it was lost in the shuffle for Morgan was soon investigating modal-oriented tunes. Despite its neglect, this is a fine session that Lee Morgan and hard bop fans will want. by Scott Yanow
Tracklist:
1 A Pilgrim's Funny Farm 13:36
Cal Massey
2 The Rajah 9:11
Lee Morgan
3 Is That So? 5:18
Duke Pearson
4 Davisamba 6:46
Walter Davis, Jr.
5 What Now, My Love? 5:22
Gilbert Bécaud
6 Once in My Lifetime 5:47
Leslie Bricusse / Anthony Newley
Credits:
Bass – Paul Chambers
Drums – Gene Taylor
Piano – Cedar Walton
Recorded By – Rudy Van Gelder
Tenor Saxophone – Hank Mobley
Trumpet – Lee Morgan