Customer Reviews

Sixth Sense

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Unlike most of the recent batch of RVG releases (6/29 & 7/13/04), trumpeter Lee Morgan's "The Sixth Sense" hasn't been out-of-print for years, as it was first released on CD relatively recently in 1999. While there are certainly more deserving titles currently languishing in the Blue Note vaults, it is good to have this remastered reissue back in the catalog nonetheless. The best thing about this CD is it is actually two sessions. The original album, recorded on November 10, 1967 with Jackie McLean on alto sax, Frank Mitchell on tenor sax, Cedar Walton on piano, Victor Sproles on bass and Billy Higgins on drums, provide the disc's first six tracks. The original CD incarnation, as well as this new RVG title, also issued for the first time the three successful tracks (7-9 here) from a September 13, 1968 session again featuring the Morgan-Mitchell partnership, this time with pianist Harold Mabern and bassist Mickey Bass joining Higgins. Both sessions from "The Sixth Sense" are similar in style and format to other 67/68 Morgan titles like "Sonic Boom" and "Caramba" (see my reviews). However, my reason for withholding a fifth star is that this title doesn't come close to equaling Lee's best recording of this period, the inventive "Procrastinator." Of course, fans of Morgan's funky-boogaloo meets solid post-bop style will easily make sense of "The Sixth Sense."

If Lee was ever asked to record an albums so good that it would smoke all others, I have no doubt that he would say yes and keep his promise. "Sixth Sense" is one of those albums, it keeps knocking you in the head until you give in. I once asked a friend about Lee's later albums and he had his doubts but after listening to this, it becomes extremely hard to say no. Title track has a sort of quasi-bossa beat but it doesn't bear the feeling of his other Sidewinderish type tunes such as "Cornbread" or "Yes I can no you can't". The 3M front line (Morgan, Mitchell, Mclean) has a sharp and powerful drive. Higgins and Walton, two Morgan stalwarts, were perfect for the job. Higgins especially since he laid down the beat so heavily. The second session isn't quite as powerful as the first but has similar execution. Five notes for another great hardbop session from Lee.

This CD is amazing! I picked it up from a $7.99 bin of CDs at Tower Records, along with several others, this past weekend. From the very beginning, I knew I was going to like this one. This is one everyone should have in their collection. Lee Morgan is really ripping it up along with his other cohorts Jackie McLean (alot sax), Frank Mitchell (tenor sax), Cedar Walton (piano), Victor Sproles (bass), and Billy Higgins (drums).

I can't claim to know more than a portion of Lee Morgan's total output, but I have to say I have never heard anything of his that I don't like. And if I had to pick a favorite trumpeter at gunpoint, I would probably go with Lee over Miles--or anyone else, for that matter. (Except--let me add, in going over this review some time later--Clifford Brown.)

Warm confident tone, tight phrasing, lyrical melodic vocabulary, tasteful voicing--what more can you ask for? It is a terrible loss to music and the world that he--like so many of the jazz giants--died so young.

This CD version is a delight from beginning to end, and a good value with the bonus non-LP tracks. If you like Sixties bop and/or Lee Morgan I don't see how you can miss.

I believe Lee Morgan to be one of the finest trumpet players. Ever. Composing, however, never struck me as his strong suit.

I just rec'd "The Sixth Sense" and gave it my first listen. Once again, Lee demonstrates incredible chops on his horn, but many of the songs themselves are simply not that interesting.

If you're a committed Morgan admirer, the disk is worth owning. If you like the bebop or hard bop styles and wish to sample some of his finer moments, check out "Sidewinder" or "Infinity". Better yet, delve into the sounds of his tenure w/ Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers.

Lee Morgan + Wayne Shorter = pure bliss.

If you are a big fan of Lee Morgan and your collection doesn't include this CD I would sugguest you listen before you buy, I don't think that you are missing much if you don't have it. I think Morgan plays terrifically but I only found a couple of the songs to be interesting. The title track is exceptional and I bought the CD just for that song. If you are new to Lee Morgan I suggest that you check out Cornbread and the Gigolo and the ballad Carolyn on Hank Mobley's No Room for Squares. I think that it is in those recordings that you will really get a sense of the depth and range of Lee Morgan.

Great album from 2 session 1967 and 68,
featuring Lee, Jackie Mclean, Cedar Walton, Billy Higgins.
notables are "Psychedelic" and "The cry of the people", a nice range of music on this album. If You like "Lee Morgan" You want this album in the collection, also check out "Charisma" from 1966, and of course early stuff like candy, the cooker, leeway, and all the art blakey era.

Also worth noting that no matter who Lee played for, he is always listed first in order of musicians, with the exception of "Bluetrain" where Coltrane is listed first.