After trumpeter Lee Morgan set the music world on fire with the runaway success of his hit soul-jazz single "The Sidewinder", many artists tried to duplicate his triumphant feat. Morgan himself cooked up funky follow-up "The Rumproller," which was recorded the next year.

The quintet featured Joe Henderson, Ronnie Mathews, Victor Sproles & Billy Higgins. The album covers diverse territory from the post-bop of "Desert Moonlight" to mournful closing ballad "The Lady" dedicated to Billie Holiday.