When altoist
Frank Morgan recorded his debut as a leader in 1955, he was being hyped as "the new Bird." Unfortunately, he followed in
Charlie Parker's footsteps mostly by becoming an irresponsible drug addict. After 30 years passed, he cut his second album and seriously began his successful comeback. This GNP album features
Morgan back at the beginning, performing four numbers with
Machito's rhythm section and six other songs with a septet that also includes tenor saxophonist
Wardell Gray (heard on his final recordings). Trumpeter
Conte Candoli is a major asset on both of these boppish dates, while
Morgan shows why he was rated so highly at this point in his career.