Until its 1996 reissue, this was one of the most obscure of all
Lee Morgan Blue Note albums. A transitional effort that finds the trumpeter gradually moving beyond hard bop into more modal music, the date starts out with the surprisingly derivative title cut which is very similar to
Eddie Harris' "Listen Here." Of the other selections, "Soulita" has the catchiest melody while
Cal Massey's slow ballad "A Baby's Smile" was previously unreleased. While
Morgan and his fine rhythm section (pianist
Cedar Walton, bassist
Reggie Workman and drummer
Billy Higgins) are in typically swinging form,
Caramba is most notable for featuring the young
Bennie Maupin. Sticking exclusively to tenor,
Maupin (who would be much more distinctive within a year) mixes together
Joe Henderson and
Wayne Shorter in winning fashion. Although not essential, this CD is a welcome reissue. ~ Scott Yanow