Search for the New Land (24bt) (Mlps) [Import, Limited Edition, Original recording remastered]

Lee Morgan | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 23, 2000)
• Original Release Date: 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import, Limited Edition, Original recording remastered
• Label: Blue Note Japan
• ASIN: B00004YNW2
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #579,913 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Search for the New Land

2. The Joker

3. Mr. Kenyatta

4. Melancholee

5. Morgan the Pirate

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Classic Morgan, classic Blue Note, December 27, 2000

By 

Tyler Smith (Denver, CO United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Search for the New Land (Audio CD)

An album like "Search for the New Land" is noteworthy most of all for the quality of its musicianship, of course, but it also serves as a reminder of the loss that jazz suffered from Morgan's untimely death in 1972.

Prior to the release of "Search for the New Land," Morgan had demonstrated he was something special on trumpet, most notably through his work with Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers, where he honed his skills and formed a lasting bond with saxophonist Wayne Shorter. He's reunited with Shorter on this album, and both of them show how well they were served by their apprenticeship with Blakey.

For example, the title tune is a sophisticated composition that moves lyrically and unpredictably through nearly 16 minutes. It allows all the soloists (Morgan, Shorter, guitarist Grant Green, and pianist Herbie Hancock) plenty of room, but it is far more than a blowing session over a simple set of changes. It's an evocative tune with shifting passages that stimulates extremely creative work from all concerned.

Morgan's jaunty, bouncing sound is also on good display here, with "The Joker" and "Morgan the Pirate," as his lyricism, in "Melancholee." Throughout, I'm reminded of what a great team he and Shorter made. Wayne's compelling combination of grittiness, lyricism, and melancholy match perfectly with the drive and humor I always found in Morgan's playing.

If you have not yet discovered Lee Morgan, do yourself a favor and plunge into his Blue Note discography. "Search for the New Land" is a good opener, one that will provide compelling evidence that Morgan's death deprived jazz of one of its most eloquent voices.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A most introspective-Lee rewarding Search, June 25, 2001

By 

Rudolph E. Krigger Jr. (St. Thomas, VI USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Search for the New Land (Audio CD)

If, like me, you have previously been mainly exposed to the bubbly, frenetic side of Lee Morgan's musical personality, "Search for the New Land" holds some pleasant surprises in store. This album showcases an instrospective side of Lee Morgan that exposes a poignant sensitivity in addition to his well known bouyancy and exuberance. I got this album four days ago and for some reason the disc just can't seem to find its way out of my CD player. Here are a couple reasons why. First, you simply can't get better personnel that Lee assembled for this session. Wayne Shorter, an old comrade from the Art Blakey days, is reunited with Lee on this date and its obvious that is one happy reunion! They blend perfectly with each other on the ensemble passages, and Wayne's sharp edges are the perfect foil for Lee's big round tone. Herbie Hancock, Grant Green, Reggie Workman and Billy Higgins combine to form what must be God's idea of a rhythm section. Secondly, this ablbum cooks! From the bubbling boil of 'Kenyatta' and 'Morgan the Pirate' to the slow-roasting lyricism of 'Search for the New Land' and 'Melancholee', every tune engages your palate with its own special flavor. This album is characterized by beautifully flowing solos in which these artists' formidable technique is nonetheless a servant, not a master, of their musical creativity. These men swing hard and every note has meaning. Third, you have to check out the writing! These tunes, all penned by Lee, are ample demonstration of Lee's muscial growth during this period. This album, more than any other on which I have heard Lee, gives an indication of the greatness that was snatched away from us with Lee's passing. In short, run, do not walk, to the nearest link to this album! 'Search for the New Land' is the real deal!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lee Morgan at his peak, September 7, 2000

By 

Ralph Jas (Delfgauw, the Netherlands) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Search for the New Land (Audio CD)

Before CD was introduced, I owned a lot of those old Blue Note recordings on old fahsioned vinyl. In those days, this was my favorite, and when CD came around, this was the first one I replaced (allthough I still think jazz sounds best from those great black things, but who am I to frown upon progress:)).

My dear readers.... to this day, every single Lee Morgan recording amazes me (his fabulous technique, his musical ideas and his compositions always do the trick) but this is the one out of the bag. The title track is of a rare perfection, everybody playing here is in terrific shape. There isn't a single note out of place, the mood is set from the beginning and the piece moves back and forth with stunning musicianship. One of the reviewers here likened it to the ocean, rolling on and off the beach and that is indeed the best picture. It is a meditative, thought-provoking moodpiece that must have been a real eye-opener when it was originally released.

The rest of the CD is in more regular vein, with up-tempo swingers and the signature waltz, but don't let that fool you. It is the same ensemble of musicians at work and they know how to play. Herbie Hancock - an emerging pianist at the time - is solid as a rock, Reggie Workman and Billy Higgins are forming a creative rhythm-section anyone would like to have backing him up, guitar-player Grant Green adds a bluesiness very much his own. Sideman Wayne Shorter blows his horn like he was born with it.

Enough said, ladies and gentlemen. This is a CD you should have. If you have never heard this recording before, I bet you anything you won't get past the title track first time you play it. Get ready for something very special.

Do yourself a favor and buy this CD. You will never regret it.