Although not one of his better known albums, Lee Morgan\’s EXPOOBIDENT is a strong outing in the still-early stages of the trumpeter\’s career. The oddly titled session, originally recorded for the Vee Jay label, is an excellent showcase for Morgan\’s developing style as one of the premier hard bop trumpeters. Also on the date are other heavy-duty boppers like the big-toned tenor man Clifford Jordan, bassist Art Davis, the great Art Blakey on drums, and the underrated pianist Eddie Higgins. The young Morgan is the central figure, however, and smartly displays his wares in swinging fashion. Morgan sports a tighter focus to his approach on this date, reigning in his usual over-the-top blowing reserved for Blakey\’s Jazz Messenger sessions. His soloing is melodic, crisp, and neatly controlled for the most part. This makes for some shining passages that clearly illustrate the trumpeter\’s major contribution to the hard bop genre. From his driving, speech-like punches and drawls on swingers like bluesy \”Triple Track\” to his Miles Davis-ish muted whisper on the classic \”Just In Time\”, Morgan presents a wide range of expression like only he could. Also included in this edition are four bonus alternate takes that are of equal value.