Lee MORGAN - Dizzy Atmosphere 1957

Lee MORGAN - Dizzy Atmosphere 1957
Label: Ojc
Audio CD (July 1, 1991)
Recorded at Master Recorders, Hollywood, California on February 18, 1957

Jazz

In writing first-time reviews of Original Jazz Classics CDs that are sadly going out-of-print, I was suprised to discover that "Dizzy Atmosphere" had yet to be reviewed on Amazon. First, let's get the record straight about this disc -- this is not a Lee Morgan album. This February 18, 1957 session was cut in Hollywood by seven members of Dizzy Gillespie's orchestra during a tour stop. Among the players was a promising 19-year old trumpeter named, you guessed it, Lee Morgan, but at the time trombonist Al Grey and tenor saxman Billy Mitchell had the biggest names, so they actually have top billing on the album cover. Also participating are baritone saxophonist Billy Root, pianist Wynton Kelly (the other player now recognized on the CD spine as "co-leader"), bassist Paul West, drummer Charlie Persip, and in arranging roles, Benny Golson and Roger Spotts. The septet tackles eight tunes -- five by Spotts, two standards and Golson's now famous "Whisper Not" -- and the CD features three alternate takes that were not on the original Specialty LP. "Atmosphere" is a solid date that fans of Lee Morgan and/or Dizzy won't want to miss.
By  Michael B. Richman.
**
This somewhat obscure Lee Morgan set (originally cut for Specialty and made available on CD in the OJC series) features the trumpeter with other then-current members of the Dizzy Gillespie big band: trombonist Al Grey, tenor saxophonist Billy Mitchell, baritonist Billy Root, pianist Wynton Kelly, bassist Paul West, and drummer Charlie Persip. With arrangements provided by Benny Golson and Roger Spotts, the music is modern bop for the period. Highlights include the ten-and-a-half-minute "Dishwater," "Over the Rainbow," and what was probably the first-ever version of Golson's "Whisper Not." Morgan plays extremely well throughout the spirited set, and he was just 18 at the time
By Scott Yanow, All Music Guide.
**
Lee Morgan- (Trumpet);
Wynton Kelly- (Piano);
Billy Mitchell- (Tenor Sax);
Billy Root- (Baritone Sax);
Al Grey- (Trombone);
Paul West- (Bass);
Charles Persip- (Drums).
**
01. Dishwater (take 4) 12:05
02. Someone I Know (take 6) 3:59
03. D. D. T. (take 5) 4:04
04. Whisper Not (take 5) 5:55
05. About Time (take 5) 3:14
06. Day By Day (take 2) 3:26
07. Rite Of Swing (take 3) 3:14
08. Over The Rainbow (take 4) 4:18
09. Someone I Know (previously unreleased, take 3, alternate) 4:07
10. Whisper Not (previously unreleased, take 3-, alternate) 6:01
11. Over The Rainbow (previously unreleased, take 3, alternate) 4:34
**
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