Despite the high quality of this release (currently available on a reissue CD) and the previous Riverside date, Mark Murphy would soon emigrate to Europe, not recording in the U.S. again until 1972. The word “blues” (or in one case, “blue”) is in the title of all 12 songs performed on the set. Not all of the numbers are technically blues (including “Blues In My Heart” and “The Meaning of the Blues”), but the great majority are. However, there is a good amount of variety; Al Cohn’s charts for a couple of trumpets and a six-piece rhythm section (which includes both piano and organ) are swinging, and Murphy is in top early form. Highlights include “Going to Chicago Blues,” “Senor Blues,” “Fiesta in Blue” and “Blues in the Night.” – Scott Yanow
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