Broadcast on 28-Jul-2014

This album which is one of Lee Morgan's finest ironically was recorded in 1964 and never released until 1981 when the Blue Note vaults were researched.It was more than a pleasant surprise when it was finally put out. Lee Morgan had made an astonishing comeback with his recording "The Sidewinder" and had overcome his personal problems to emerge a greater more mature musician. He was still only 26 years old! He assembled a great band here with alto saxophonist Jackie McLean, trombone master Curtis Fuller, pianist McCoy Tyner, bassist Bob Cranshaw and as a special favour, Art Blakey on drums. Blakey had stopped doing sideman dates in 1962 but appeared here as a special favor to his favourite trumpeter...Lee Morgan. Morgan wrote four out of the five tunes and McCoy Tyner penned the ballad feature called "Twilight Mist", Morgan's compositions are among his best and they display another side to his immense talent. "Tom Cat" is the name of the album and is the appealing title track. Lee Morgan indeed!