Tom Cat

Album Summary

Tom Cat is an album by Lee Morgan recorded in 1964, though only issued in 1980. It was originally released as LT 1058. While lesser known in comparison to The Sidewinder and other albums, it features several of Morgan's contemporary Blue Note recording artists, such as McCoy Tyner, Art Blakey, and Jackie McLean. After The Sidewinder's commercial success, Tom Cat and Search for the New Land from earlier in 1964 were both shelved. Instead, Alfred Lion, Blue Note's producer, encouraged Morgan to record a new funky theme and brought him back into the studio to record The Rumproller. Search for the New Land was released in 1966, but Tom Cat remained unreleased until 1980.