Lee Morgan - Take Twelve [Spain Import]

Lee Morgan's Take Twelve returns as a limited 180-gram Spanish import with bonus tracks, a 1962 hard bop date cut between the trumpeter's two Blue Note eras.

After leaving Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers, Morgan spent a quiet stretch away from the spotlight before returning to Blue Note and scoring big with The Sidewinder. Take Twelve was recorded in January 1962 for the Jazzland label, produced by Orrin Keepnews, with tenor saxophonist Clifford Jordan, pianist Barry Harris, bassist Bob Cranshaw and drummer Louis Hayes. It is a tight, swinging quintet date that shows Morgan's playing growing deeper and more lyrical.

Raggedy Ann opens the set, Morgan's crisp tone cutting through the rhythm section with ease. A Waltz for Fran softens the mood with a graceful three-quarter lilt, while Little Spain gives Jordan a showcase for his own writing. The title track Take Twelve, written by pianist Elmo Hope, gives everyone a chance to stretch out.

Harris is especially fine throughout, his bebop-rooted piano adding elegance to every tune, and Jordan's warm tenor makes a perfect foil for Morgan's fiery trumpet.

Morgan's Blue Note classics get most of the attention, which makes this lesser-known chapter of his story such a satisfying discovery for any jazz shelf.