Label: Blue Note

Reissued 4/17/2026, Originally released 1965

Miami-born trumpeter Blue Mitchell had a soulful, swinging style that was a deep embodiment of the Blue Note ethos. Mitchell had been a sideman on sessions led by Lou Donaldson, Jimmy Smith, Jackie McLean and appeared on numerous classics as a member of the Horace Silver Quintet before he signed with Blue Note as a leader. Equally at home in a variety of settings, Mitchell's 1964 label debut, The Thing to Do, showcased his sound across a diverse set of tunes from the irrepressible Calypso "Fungii Mama" to the stunning ballad "Mona's Mood" to swinging numbers like "Step Lightly," "Chick's Tune," and the grooving title track. Pianist Chick Corea makes one of his earliest appearances on record here along with drummer Al Foster, bassist Gene Taylor, and tenor saxophonist Junior Cook.

Track listing:

1. Fungii Mama
   
2. Mona's Mood
   
3. Thing to Do
   
4. Step Lightly
   
5. Chick's Tune