Sonic Boom is an album by jazz trumpeter Lee Morgan, recorded on April 14 and 28, 1967, but not released on the Blue Note label until 1979.
The 2003 CD reissue added seven tracks recorded on September 12 & October 10, 1969, which were first released on the original double LP edition of The Procrastinator. Therefore, the CD edition includes performances by Morgan with two line-ups: the first one with tenor saxophonist David "Fathead" Newman, pianist Cedar Walton, bassist Ron Carter, and drummer Billy Higgins, whilst the second features trombonist Julian Priester, tenor saxophonist George Coleman, pianist Harold Mabern, bassist Walter Booker, and drummer Mickey Roker. The Sonic Boom session is notable for the rare contribution of David "Fathead" Newman, who made only two Blue Note appearances during his career, the other being with Lonnie Smith.
Reception
Wrtiting for AllAboutJazz, Germein Linares described Sonic Boom as "an underrated gem" and "vintage Morgan", highlighting the "remarkable" pairing of Morgan and Newman in the session's frontline. In a more muted review for The Guardian, jazz critic John Fordham described Morgan's improvisations as "models of shrewdly paced virtuosity" and noted Newman's propensity for 'imaginative' playing, something often obscured in his other more commercial sessions. Newman's importance to the session was also identified by Scott Yanow for AllMusic, who concluded that Sonic Boom was an "undeservedly obscure session".
Track listing All compositions by Lee Morgan except where noted "Sneaky Pete" - 5:45 "The Mercenary" - 7:10 "Sonic Boom" - 6:18 "Fathead" - 5:27 "I'll Never Be the Same" (Malneck, Signorelli, Kahn) - 7:16 "Mumbo Jumbo" - 5:29
2003 bonus tracks on CD reissue, originally part of The Procrastinator: "Free Flow" (Coleman) - 4:50 "Stormy Weather" (Arlen, Koehler) - 5:44 "Mr. Johnson" (Mabern) - 6:11 "The Stroker" (Priester) - 5:47 "Uncle Rough" (Mabern) - 5:35 "Claw-Til-Da" (Roker) - 3:07 "Untitled Boogaloo" - 5:40
Recorded on April 14, 1967 (#3) and April 28, 1967 (#1–2, 4–6); September 12, 1969 (#8–9, 13) and October 10, 1969 (#7, 10–12).
Personnel Tracks 1–6 Lee Morgan - trumpet David "Fathead" Newman - tenor sax Cedar Walton - piano Ron Carter - bass Billy Higgins - drums
Tracks 7–13 Lee Morgan - trumpet Julian Priester - trombone George Coleman - tenor sax Harold Mabern - piano Walter Booker - bass Mickey Roker - drums
References