Description
Lee Morgan – The Rajah – 180 Gram Vinyl Record
The Rajah is a posthumously released album by legendary jazz trumpeter Lee Morgan, recorded on November 29, 1966, but not released until 1985 by Blue Note Records. For nearly two decades, the recording sat unreleased in the Blue Note vaults, making it something of a lost gem in Morgan’s discography. When it finally surfaced, The Rajah was celebrated not only for the strength of the performances but also for showcasing a vibrant moment in the mid-1960s hard bop scene—an era Morgan helped define.
By 1966, Lee Morgan was riding high on the success of The Sidewinder (1964), which had brought him commercial and critical acclaim. But he was far from coasting—The Rajah reveals a mature, soulful, and increasingly exploratory artist. While not as experimental as his later, more socially conscious work (Live at the Lighthouse, The Last Session), this album reflects a period where Morgan was pushing hard bop into richer, more expressive territory.
The lineup on The Rajah is superb:
Lee Morgan – trumpet
Hank Mobley – tenor saxophone
Cedar Walton – piano
Paul Chambers – bass
Billy Higgins – drums
This group is essentially a hard bop dream team. Mobley’s warm, understated tenor complements Morgan’s fiery trumpet perfectly, while Walton, Chambers, and Higgins form a rhythm section of unshakable swing and subtle sophistication. All three were veterans of the Blue Note sound and bring a relaxed mastery to the session.
Track Highlights:
“A Pilgrim’s Funny Farm” (Cedar Walton) – The opener is a laid-back yet intricate tune, rich with harmonic detail and rhythmic bounce. Morgan’s solo is melodic and conversational, while Mobley adds depth with his lyrical phrasing.
“The Rajah” (Lee Morgan) – The title track is a standout—a sinuous, mid-tempo groove that mixes mystery and soul. The melody is elegant but slightly angular, and Morgan’s solo blends fire and restraint. It’s easy to see why this track was chosen as the album’s namesake.
“Is That So?” (Duke Pearson) – A beautiful, gospel-tinged composition with a loping rhythm and warmly expressive solos. Morgan’s tone here is especially rich and golden.
“Davisamba” (Walter Davis Jr.) – A breezy, Latin-influenced tune that gives the band space to play with syncopation and swing. Higgins’ drumming is crisp and danceable, keeping the samba flavor grounded in jazz time.
“What Now, My Love?” – The only standard on the album, this chanson by Gilbert Bécaud is transformed into a moody, introspective ballad. Morgan shows his balladic sensitivity, and Mobley’s tone adds an emotional, almost melancholic depth.
“Once in a Lifetime” – Another ballad-leaning tune that closes the album with a sense of grace and reflection, showcasing the ensemble’s ability to play with subtlety and space.
Although The Rajah was shelved by Blue Note—likely due to an overabundance of Morgan recordings at the time—it’s not a throwaway session by any means. In fact, it stands as one of Morgan’s most cohesive and relaxed dates. There’s no attempt here to chase a hit single, as with The Sidewinder-styled tracks. Instead, the album offers a mature, soulful mood throughout, balancing strong melodies, deep grooves, and intuitive group interplay.
It also captures a transitional moment in jazz: still firmly rooted in the hard bop tradition, but just before the more radical shifts of the late ’60s and early ’70s. Morgan himself would soon grow more engaged with the social and political dimensions of jazz, but The Rajah reflects his deep roots in melodic storytelling and blues-based expression.
The Rajah is a rediscovered jewel in Lee Morgan’s catalog—an album that may not have been intended as a major statement, but which shines with musical warmth, technical finesse, and lyrical beauty. Featuring an all-star lineup and a consistently soulful atmosphere, it’s a must-hear for fans of Morgan, Blue Note’s golden era, and classic hard bop. Its delayed release only adds to its mystique, but the music itself speaks clearly: a master at work, surrounded by equals, creating timeless jazz with effortless grace.
Brand new, never played and still sealed in the factory plastic
Track Listing
A Pilgrim’s Funny Farm
The Rajah
Is That So
Davisamba
What Now My Love
Once In A Lifetime
