Marcyiiena Morgan

Frank Morgan moved from Antilles to Telarc with Love, Lost and Found, which emphasizes the altoist's romantic side and boasts Cedar Walton on piano, Ray Brown on bass, and Billy Higgins on drums. Those who had been following Morgan's career knew that he was a magnificent ballad player, and ballads are a very high priority on this CD. Most of the standards that he embraces had been recorded time and time again over the years, including "Skylark," "I Can't Get Started," "My One and Only Love," and "Don't Blame Me." But Morgan's playing is so personal and so darn soulful that one doesn't mind hearing yet another version of "What Is This Thing Called Love" or "All The Things You Are." It's best for musicians to stay away from such warhorses unless they have something really personal to bring to them, and thankfully, Morgan does…

After nearly 30 years off the scene, altoist Frank Morgan made a remarkable comeback. Despite his years in prison and obscurity, he had not lost anything in his playing; in fact, he had grown as an individual. Teamed with pianist Cedar Walton, bassist Tony Dumas and drummer Billy Higgins, Morgan (still just 51) digs into songs by Walton, McCoy Tyner, Wayne Shorter and Antonio Carlos Jobim that had not been written when he had last recorded; in addition, he plays versions of three standards that recall his main inspiration, Charlie Parker.

This edition of Blue Note's Music for Lovers set combines nine remastered tracks by hard bop trumpeter Lee Morgan recorded between 1957 and 1967. Obviously, the purpose of this CD is to spotlight Morgan's romantic side by featuring such standards as "You Go to My Head," "What Now My Love," and "Lover Man." The trumpeter is in excellent company on these tracks, sharing the spotlight with several legendary horn players including Wayne Shorter, Hank Mobley, Curtis Fuller, Jackie McLean, Benny Golson, Gigi Gryce, and Pepper Adams. Despite the drab packaging and generic title, the music of Lee Morgan remains timeless in any context.