Lee Morgan – Search For The New Land

Search for the New Land, recorded on February 15, 1964 at Van Gelder Studio and released in 1966 on Blue Note, captures Lee Morgan at a moment of profound introspection and musical expansion. As a follow-up to his commercial success with The Sidewinder, this album shifts Morgan’s focus toward deeper, more meditative territory. The ensemble—including Wayne Shorter (tenor sax), Herbie Hancock (piano), Grant Green (guitar), Reggie Workman (bass), and Billy Higgins (drums)—offers both tension and spaciousness, threading between modal exploration and hard bop drive. From the fourteen-minute title track’s unfolding narrative to the assertive pulse of “The Joker,” Morgan balances inquiry and assertion with compositional clarity.

The album is often viewed as a turning point in Morgan’s discography, one that privileges thematic development and emotional resonance over sheer virtuosity. Pieces like “Mr. Kenyatta” and “Melancholee” deepen the record’s reflection, while “Morgan the Pirate” closes with a sense of restless journeying. Its delayed release perhaps speaks to its subtle ambition—Morgan was asking more of his audience and himself. Over time, the record has been celebrated as one of his most mature, influential works in jazz’s post-bop era.

"A consistently stimulating set that rewards repeated listenings." – AllMusic

“Search for the New Land sets out on a quest rather than offering easy gratification, urging listeners to stay attuned to its shifting landscapes.” – All About Jazz

“This album is an explorative and meditative journey, showcasing Morgan’s compositional ambition and his band’s empathetic interplay.” – uDiscover Music

“The title track’s sweeping arc and the balance between stillness and momentum mark this as one of Morgan’s finest statements.” – JazzBlues.EU